This page shares how we use symbols as a means of communication with our son, Mike. We use symbols together with a computer having a sound card. This page provides information of how our family reached this point and what we use. For what we do - the Ideas page has lots of information. Please check it and the other pages, also.
The information on these pages can be used with children and adults who are non-readers, have severe speech problems or are learning disabled and have difficulty with text.
In the mid 80's we started symbols, including Rebus and the Picture Communication Symbols, also known as PCS, from Mayer-Johnson Co. In the early '90s we acquired a electronic communication board, which used a symbolized overlay with multiple pages of various topics. Eventually Mike only wanted to use the accompanying book with the symbols and his sign language. Later he discontinued using the symbol book.
We knew our son could use a computer and he had adequate mouse skills. Sometimes, as Mike used the computer, he would tell us "Bye!" In other words, "Please leave me alone. Don't watch. I can do this." He was having fun!
Other programs Mike has used include an early version of KidPix (Broderbund), Let's Explore the Airport (Humongous Entertainment), My First Incredible Amazing Dictionary (DK - Dorling Kindersley), Drawing for Children (written by Mark Overmars) and Flying Colours (Logotron).
In late 1997, I searched the Internet for additional
software. Some of the criteria:
Windows
platform
Our
son could use it independently
It
needed to include symbols, text and speech
I found Writing with Symbols produced by Widgit Software and distributed in the US by Mayer-Johnson. At the top of this web page is an example of the writing area within Writing with Symbols 2000. Mike sees the symbol and the words are spoken as they are typed. Anyone seeing it can "read" it, since the text is also printed with the symbols. Mike knows how to send what he writes to the printer. He really enjoys doing that.
We added a grid so Mike can click a symbol with the mouse and send the associated text to the writing area. Below is the main grid we have set up, again using Writing with Symbols 2000. Each symbol within the main grid branches to another grid with symbols. This is where Mike clicks the symbols he wants in the writing area. Each grid includes a cell leading back to the main grid. Mike can maneuver this independently. He helps in setting up the grids by suggesting pictures of family, friends and his pet that he would like to have scanned and added. The symbol labeled "Say" is Mike's Rat Terrier dog. Say's grid includes symbols for feeding, caring, and commands associated with Say.
Together, Mike and his support staff or I will write a letter to a family member, thank you notes or stories about special happenings. His grandmother writes him a note. It is a way he can correspond with others - and he actively participates in what is written. Frequently before a sentence is completely typed, he has an idea of what else we should include or who else he wants to write to. He has indicated when the wrong symbol is displayed and we have to use F12 to toggle through the symbols to find an appropriate one.
We prepared a Family History Book using family trees with pictures and stories with symbols, text and scanned photographs. For additional information please go to the Family History Book page.
Please check Tips for working with Writing with Symbols 2000 for some tips that we have found useful to increase Mike's independence.
Please check the Ideas page for lots of suggestions.
Note from Johanna: As of January 2008, Communicate: SymWriter, the next generation to Writing with Symbols, has been released in the UK and it appears soon to be released in the US. For more information:
We have worked with Communicate: In Print produced by Widgit Software and distributed in the US by Mayer-Johnson Co. It is a desktop publishing program using symbols. Downloads are available, which provide ideas of how it can be used.
When one of Mike's staff members got married, she invited our family to the wedding. During the reception, Mike turned to several of us and signed "computer." That one sign said it all! He has used the sign before and we knew what he meant. He wanted to write a story incorporating the pictures we were taking. He wanted to share the story at work, with his grandmothers and with others and to keep one copy for himself in a notebook.
Again, later, another friend got married. As before, Mike signed he wanted to write a story about the wedding. In fact, in each case the families wanted a copy of the stories, too.
News-2-You: A Newspaper for Special Needs Children and Adults uses the Picture Communication Symbols and text so it is easy for Mike to follow. During the school year the newspaper is available for download via computer in an Adobe Reader format. Mike refers to it as his "computer paper." Each week one topic is discussed that is in the news, but it is not a political or controversial topic. Several times Mike has seen a story on a TV news show and related it with a topic in his News-2-You newspaper. Each issue contains an overview of the topic and then the detail is provided. It also includes a joke page. Mike likes the recipes so much that we separate them from the rest of the issue and keep them in a notebook so they are easier to access.
When our son was younger, we needed a lot of board-like materials and vocabulary-building materials, but when we decided to go with Writing with Symbols, our need was so we could write stories and so our son could work independently. We have filled a three inch binder with a variety of writings.
Several years ago we added Boardmaker for Windows. If Mike needs any calendar/schedule type materials with symbols and digital pictures, they have been easy to make using Boardmaker.
Boardmaker
The Picture Communication Symbols © 1981 - 2008 Mayer-Johnson, Inc. Used with permission.
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