One of the first things we must do when teaching our students with special needs is get their attention. Without attention, there is no engagement, and without engagement, there is no learning. Think about it—when was the last time you were forced to watch something that didn’t interest you? Maybe your spouse or friend wanted to watch a sports game or a documentary, but you had no interest in it. Even though the TV was on and the information was available, you might have found yourself scrolling on your phone, daydreaming, or completely zoning out. If someone later asked you the score of the game or a fact from the documentary, chances are, you wouldn’t remember much. That’s because attention and engagement are essential for learning.

Now, think about our students. If we simply put a video on the screen or give them a worksheet, it doesn’t mean they are learning. Just because they are physically present in the classroom doesn’t mean they are mentally engaged. If we want them to learn, we have to actively bring learning to them.

Making Learning Fun and Accessible

Human beings pay attention to things that are fun, interesting, and personally relevant. This is why we emphasize making learning enjoyable—because when something is enjoyable, we are naturally more engaged. The same principle applies to our students, especially those using AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication).

For example, if I have a group of students sitting on the carpet watching Miss Molly teach about the letter B, I can’t expect them to magically absorb the information just by watching. I have to engage them in multiple ways:

• Sitting beside them, talking about the letter B‍
• Pointing to the letter B on their AAC device
• Showing them words that start with B in their environment
• Using movement, visuals, and sounds that capture their interest
  

If I’m teaching the core word “go”, I don’t just play a video about “go” and assume they will learn it. Instead, I:

• ‍Touch the word “go” on their AAC device as we watch‍
• Say or sign the word “go” repeatedly‍
• Point out real-life examples of things that “go” (e.g., a toy car rolling, a friend running, a character moving in the video)
  

Why Engagement Matters for AAC Users

This is why modeling AAC is so important—because it actively engages students in language learning. When we model words and use them in real situations, students begin to understand how communication connects to the world around them. If we introduce vocabulary in a way that is meaningful, exciting, and interactive, students are far more likely to remember and use those words themselves.

At the core of all learning is this simple truth: students won’t learn what they don’t engage with. If we want to build communication, literacy, and academic skills, we must make sure that the learning experience is accessible, interactive, and fun. When we bring learning to the student, rather than expecting the student to find their own way to it, we create a pathway to meaningful engagement and lifelong learning.