The Total Communication Diary.

Total communication diary has used Maslow's Hierarchy of needs, to show how positive home-school communication can impact the quality of environments of the student.

By knowing if a students physiological needs have been met prior to attending school, will ensure that the school knows if the student is prepared for in school participation. Sensory needs can be greater for children who have had poor quality of sleep, likewise knowing if a student didn't indulge in breakfast prior to school allows the class teacher opportunity to offer snack breaks.

Giving students a sense of security by knowing who is collecting them from school can offer reassurance at the end of the day. 

The total Communication Diary is also about promoting communication between the student and teacher. We have infomation about how the student was at home after school the previous day, which will help to modify the students schedule if certain activities towards the end of the day are leading to break down in behaviours when arriving home.

The weekend re-wind at the end of every weeks allows the school to connect at home on the weekends. its an excellent source for positive communication at circle time and especially for children who have poor re-call skills or prefer closed ended questions as now we already have the answers, we just need to ask the question.

The pre filled questions in the diary makes it easy for both parent and teacher to complete making sure that the most important information is shared daily in a quick and efficient way.

Feeding, toileting and movement breaks along with the range of emotion charts give the parents the most important information with only a few swishes of the pen.

 

The Total Communication Diary 2.

The original Total Communication Diary was created to support strong home–school communication, helping families and staff work together to create the best possible environments for children with special educational needs to feel safe, understood, and supported.

The Total Communication Diary 2 builds on that foundation and is specifically designed for older children who are better able to express their thoughts, feelings, and needs.

This diary places the student’s voice at the centre, supporting them to:
• Communicate their emotions
• Understand and track their regulation
• Identify triggers and the strategies that help them stay calm and regulated

At the beginning of the diary is a Temper Thermometer, where students can record:
• What different levels of emotion feel like for them
• What regulation techniques work best at each level
• What helps keep them in the green zone

Over time, this creates a shared understanding between students, families, and staff, reducing guesswork and ensuring support is consistent across home and school.

The diary also includes key home–school communication sections for:
• Medical needs
• Feeding and toileting
• Sensory breaks
• Other important information

Monthly Reflection Pages give students space to share:
• Their current special interests
• What is helping keep them regulated
• A goal for the month
• Something special from the previous month

The cover of Total Communication Diary 2 is intentionally blank, allowing students to engage in mindful colouring and truly make it their own. It is designed to be a diary students feel proud to carry, something that reflects who they are, not something they feel embarrassed or ashamed of.

My hope is that this diary becomes a meaningful communication tool that empowers students to express their emotions, advocate for what helps them regulate, and feel truly understood by the adults supporting them.