How AI Can Help Special Needs Students Better Express Themselves

By Michael Millington

2/26/25

Tech&Learning

In the article "How AI Can Help Special Needs Students Better Express Themselves," Michael Millington explores the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in enhancing communication for special needs students. Through insights from educators within the New York City Department of Education, the piece highlights practical applications of AI tools that facilitate improved expression and engagement in educational settings.

Simplifying Communication Through AI

Effective communication is fundamental to student engagement and learning. For special needs students, traditional methods may not suffice, necessitating innovative solutions. Matt Gorin, Civics Lead Teacher, emphasizes the progression from simple technologies, like single switches enabling student choice, to advanced AI tools that bring students' thoughts to life. This evolution fosters increased interest and participation, as students find more accessible avenues to express their ideas.

Claire Keller, Visual Arts Education Liaison, introduces "CoughDrop," a cloud-based Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) program. This platform allows users to construct sentences using images or symbols, making communication more accessible. Its compatibility with various devices, including Amazon Kindles, ensures that students can engage without the barrier of specialized equipment. Keller notes the program's flexibility in creating personalized communication boards, which can be tailored to individual student needs, thereby enhancing their ability to participate actively in classroom discussions.

Enhancing Classroom Engagement

AI tools not only aid in communication but also enrich classroom interaction. Keller describes a practice where students co-create rubrics for each unit, determining performance levels and subsequent steps. To assist students who struggle with verbalizing their thoughts, video snippets demonstrating each step are embedded into interactive buttons. This approach enables students to engage in formative assessments and peer discussions more effectively, as they can visualize and understand the expectations and processes involved.

Special Education Teacher Erin Laraway observes that technology, particularly AI applications, has opened new avenues for assessing and understanding students with limited verbal abilities. For instance, students with autism who may avoid eye contact can use AI-driven tools to demonstrate their knowledge in real-time, providing educators with immediate insights into their learning progress. This real-time assessment capability allows for timely interventions and support, ensuring that students receive the assistance they need promptly.

Maximizing AI's Potential in Education

To fully harness AI's benefits, educators are encouraged to collaborate with technology liaisons and vendors. Gorin suggests that most educational institutions have designated liaisons who can provide guidance and showcase the latest tools. Building relationships with these professionals can demystify AI technologies, making educators more comfortable and proficient in their application. This collaboration ensures that teachers are well-informed about the tools available and can select those that best meet their students' needs.

Laraway emphasizes the importance of involving teachers in selecting AI technologies, as needs vary across different school districts. Conducting surveys to understand specific requirements ensures that the chosen tools address the unique challenges faced by their student populations. This participatory approach leads to more effective implementation and greater acceptance of AI tools among educators and students alike.

Keller advises focusing on mastering one AI tool at a time, allowing for depth over breadth. This strategy prevents overwhelm and promotes a thorough understanding of each tool's capabilities and limitations. By concentrating on one application, educators can develop effective strategies for integration and assess the tool's impact on student learning before expanding to additional technologies.

Administrative support is also crucial. Laraway and Gorin acknowledge their principal's role in fostering an environment conducive to technological integration, highlighting that leadership commitment is key to successful implementation. Supportive administration can provide the necessary resources, professional development opportunities, and encouragement for educators to experiment with and adopt AI tools in their teaching practices.

In summary, AI technologies offer promising avenues for enhancing communication and engagement among special needs students. By thoughtfully selecting and implementing these tools, and fostering collaboration among educators, technology experts, and administrators, schools can create more inclusive and effective learning environments. This collaborative and strategic approach ensures that AI serves as a bridge to better expression and understanding for all students.

Original Article

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Prepared with the assistance of AI software

OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT (4) [Large language model]. https://chat.openai.com