Making the Most of Single Message Voice Output Devices

A boy moving a blue wall communicator to the word computer.

Using Single Message Devices with the Phone

  • Call for an appointment
  • For emergency message by telephone
  • Order a pizza over the phone
  • “Talk” on the telephone to grandparents, other family members, or friends
  • Invite a friend or family member to come visit, to eat dinner or attend a party
  • Answer phone “Hi, this is Jane, please hold for my mom, dad, or roommate.”

Directions or Instructional Uses of Single Message Devices

  • Indicate weather and what to wear out to play
  • Indicate what is next on the daily schedule
  • Make or modify a game so that it talks
  • Share menu for lunch
  • Use as labels for areas or centers in classroom
  • Use as teaching prompt
  • When mounted next to room, indicate location (you are at the bathroom, etc.)

Fun and Motivating Uses of Single Message Devices

  • Tell Mother or Dad, “I love you”
  • Cheer or root for a team
  • Participate in a game (My turn)
  • Call the cat or dog
  • Tease others
  • Tell a joke
  • Tell a riddle
  • Share the outcome of a game
  • Share a secret with a friend
  • Have a speaking part in a skit
  • Use exclamations or interjections (Yeah, uh oh)
  • Make funny noises or sound effects during a story
  • Make interjections or funny noises in a song

Using Single Message Devices at School

  • Answering “I’m Here.” during attendance
  • Say the Pledge of Allegiance
  • Indicate weather during circle time
  • Tell about their Show and Tell item
  • Tell something about themselves (favorite TV show, color, story, activity, etc.)
  • Taking hall pass
  • Send message with person when going on an errand (Attendance report)
  • Tell the title of a story or book
  • Say a repetitious line in a story
  • Indicate “Turn the page.” during a story
  • Ask to read it again or say “the end” at the end of a book
  • Say poems and rhymes
  • Take a survey
  • Give directions such as “stir” in cooking class
  • Make an announcement
  • Give the weather
  • Indicate when work is completed

Using Single Message Devices at Work

  • Indicate that work has been finished (all done)
  • Indicate the need for more work
  • Ask for help
  • Ask questions: What time is it?
  • Indicate need for a break
  • Tell what did at school or work that day
  • Send a message home
  • Send a message to school or work
  • Tell what ate at lunch or break
  • Tell what did over the weekend or the evening before

Using Single Message Devices for Fulfilling Social Etiquette Routines

  • Start a conversation (What did you do this weekend? What did you think of the game?)
  • Use for greetings (How are you doing? You look great today)
  • Use for farewells (See you later. Have a good day.)
  • When meeting new people, tell his/her name
  • Personal information (name, address, phone number) to be carried with person
  • Wish people Happy Holidays
  • Wish someone a Happy Birthday
  • Introduce family or friends
  • Issue invitation to a party, or to go out for a visit

Using Single Message Devices in Daily Activities

  • Draw attention (look what I did) socially acceptable
  • Comment on own new haircut, shirt, glasses
  • Ask a friend to play
  • Sing a song or the chorus of a song
  • Say grace/prayers
  • Ask to do it again
  • Ask questions
  • Select a story, video or game
  • Order at a restaurant

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(c) Libby Rush 2024 – libbyrush@aol.com