Promoting Independent Communication Using Sign and Symbol

Helen Hayhoe

We give lots of support

Image: http://icpurple.org/leaders/independent-leader

so that…

They can take charge

/www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2010/12/05/opportunities_grow_for_students_with_disabilities/http://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/awareness/dish/home

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Disability/Pages/Independent.aspxhttp://www.dsscotland.org.uk/getinvolved/awareness/dish/home

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/articles/2010/12/05/

opportunities_grow_for_students_with_disabilities/

http://www.seqol.org/careandsupport/learning-disabilities

http://www.seqol.org/careandsupport/learning-disabilities

The person at the centre of the plan has a voice

But it can be difficult to use it

How do signs and symbols help?

• Signs and symbols give extra information which can be seen.

• Signs and gestures are easier to learn than spoken words

• Signs and symbols let others know what they want, make choices, share information and understand more. This helps build and develop important communication and language skills.

www.makaton.org

• A picture gives a lot of detail

• An illustration is simpler, but still has detail.

• A symbol is a representation of a single idea.

• Each of these has a different purpose.

http://symbolsinclusionproject.org/

Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Light tech High tech

Images: Paul Visvader MA CCC-SLP Assistive Technology Team, Boulder Valley School District, Boulder, CO

Low tech

PECS https://www.makaton.org/blog/?page=2

SIGN

Important communication skills for the future

give permission

enable people to clearly say yes and no

know who people are

use photo boards, photo signatures, signs for peoples’ names

Please tell us if you are coming

by calling Deborah or

sending back the form

Deborah Green www.yourhealthcare.org

describe

http://www.speech-therapy.org.uk/word-finding-difficulties

give opportunities for people to learn about and express different attributes

http://www.speech-therapy.org.uk/word-finding-difficulties

know what to expect

http://asdbrightideas.co.uksqueezies,moondough,trevorsschedule 021 Deborah Green www.yourhealthcare.org

Deborah Green www.yourhealthcare.org

https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/EASY-READER-I-go-to-places-SymbolStix-1327620

create visual ways of placing activities in time and place

https://suite.io/jonathan-fant/5xk72fz

ask and answer questions

where?

http://www.speech-therapy.org.uk/word-finding-difficulties

scaffold questions with cues about the situation

know what my rights are and get help

http://widgit-health.com/download-files/aande/2013/A-E_Communincation_Passport_2013.pdf

www.makaton.org

http://www.changepeople.org

http://symbolsinclusionproject.org/

Give people an active voice; get involved in campaigning, learn community rules, know sources of help

express thoughts, feelings and emotions

http://www.graeae.org/explore ways of using speech, sign, symbol, roleplay and creative arts to learn how to name and articulate feelings

say what I want, my way

Find ways of expressing preferences independently, and share what we know about ways in which people communicate

http://www.valuingmedwaypeople.org.uk/images/pcp-button-1.jpg

http://www.mychoicepad.com/

https://pecs.com/

make decisions

www.talkingmats.com

not just about food

www.makaton.org

https://www.proxtalker.com/

know what my rights are and stay safe

http://www.photosymbols.com

www.widgit.com

http://www.livingwellwithautism.com

know about sex and relationships

http://www.stepupfordownsyndrome.org.au/

www.makaton.orgwww.widgit.com

Support people to have happy, safe and informed relationshps

http://www.changepeople.org

look after myself

http://www.natspec.org.uk/directory/colleges-p-to-r/roc-life-skills-college/

Add recipe

http://www.livingwellwithautism.com

create steps to follow

use new technology to communicate

rixmedia.org

Makaton Signing for Babies Ap. www.makaton.org

www.mychoicepad.com

E-Live symbolworld.org

Build your own wiki, use sign and symbol on ipad and phone, access news in symbols

Some contacts and links

• www.makaton.org• www.widgit.com• www.talkingmats.com• www.speech-therapy.or

g.uk• http://

www.changepeople.org• http://symbolsinclusion

project.org/

• https://www.proxtalker.com/

• http://www.livingwellwithautism.com

• https://www.pinterest.com/

• http://rixmedia.org/With thanks and acknowledgement to all those whose images appear in this presentation. Please see individual images for sources.