Level 2 — Requiring Substantial Support
Communication is limited or scripted. Routines and predictability help everything.
Children at Level 2 may use some spoken language, sign, or AAC. They benefit enormously from structure, visual supports, and explicit, step-by-step teaching of skills most kids pick up naturally.
Best-fit approaches
Day-to-day techniques
- Use a daily visual schedule. Refer to it constantly: 'Look — first lunch, then park.'
- Reinforce communication attempts of any kind (sign, picture, AAC, approximation).
- Pre-teach new situations with social stories and photos.
- Embed 5–10 minute teaching moments throughout the day, not long sit-down sessions.
- Pair every new demand with something motivating — Premack principle: first work, then preferred.