Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
Selecting Symbol Sets:
Implications for AAC Users,
Clinicians, and Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
SYMBOLS

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Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Elizabeth (Libby) Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM

Referent: that which is represented by the
symbol
SYMBOLS
ICONICITY
Unaided symbols are those made through
sound or movement of the body
Refers to the continuum that
describes symbols by ease of recognition

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Symbol: “something that stands for or
represents something else”
(Vanderheiden & Yoder, 1986, p. 15)
Speech
Sign
Gesture
Facial Expression
Aided symbols are those that require some
type of device or equipment external to
the human body (Lloyd & Fuller, 1986)

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Transparent symbols are at one end of the iconicity
continuum. These symbols visually resemble their
referents and thus are high in guessability.
Opaque symbols are at the other end of the continuum.
The visual relationships to their referents are not obvious
and may be quite arbitrary.
Translucent symbols are in the middle of the iconicity
continuum. Additional information is needed to be
guessable. These symbols are often described in terms
of their learnability.
Bloomberg et al., 1990; Fuller & Lloyd, 1991
ICONICITY

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Iconicity is culture bound, time bound,
and experience bound (Brown, 1977)
Understanding is not the result of the
symbol’s resemblance to its referent;
rather, occurs because people have
learned to read or recognize symbols
(Schlosser & Sigafoos, 2002)
Iconicity facilitates learning of symbols
(Bloomberg et al., 1990)
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
ICONICITY

Graphic symbol displays tend to contain a
preponderance of noun pictures because other
parts of speech such as verbs are much harder
to depict graphically.


“Nouns… are the easiest to represent graphically
because the bundles of characteristic or salient
features of the referent are preserved in the graphic”
(Bloomberg, et al., 1990, p. 723)
Low frequency of verbs on AAC displays is
problematic for development of syntax because
verbs are essential for constructing sentences.
(Sutton, Soto, and Blockberger, 2002)
1
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
ICONICITY
It is possible for a symbol set to be more
iconic than another set, yet have symbols
that are less iconic than those symbols
with the same referents from the other
set.
“It is very possible that systems and sets
may internally differ in the amount of
perceived iconcity present across… word
classes” (Bloomberg et al., 1990).
ICONICITY


Interventionists may be well advised to consider
more iconic symbols for an initial request
lexicon, especially for those with intellectual
disabilities, multiple disabilities, autism and
receptive language delays (Schlosser & Sigafoos,
2002)
Iconicity has a “facilitative effect on the learning
of graphic symbols by individuals with severe
chronic aphasia” (Koul & Harding, 1998)
ICONICITY


There is no single, ideal symbol set in terms of
iconicity, or ease of recognition or learning
There are few published guidelines to direct
practitioners through the process of determining
the optimal symbol set for any given individual
or groups of individuals
REALISM

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AIDED SYMBOL TYPES

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Objects
Texture cues or
symbols
COPPS
Photographs
Line Drawing (black &
white)
Line Drawing (color)
 Realistic (black &




white)
Realistic (color)
Picture Scenes (black
& white)
Picture Scenes (color)
Orthography
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Studies have focused on picture naming vs. use
of symbols for communicative functions
(Schlosser, 2003)
No conclusive evidence regarding the effects of
realism on picture naming
No accepted means of measuring what is
“realistic” (Levie, 1987)
Our experience: the extensive artistic detail
required to make a picture “realistic” sometimes
interferes with recognition/use
AIDED SYMBOL TYPES
 Can
vary from very concrete
to abstract
 Are a continuum rather than
a hierarchy
 May be two or three
dimensional
2
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
BE CLIENT-CENTERED IN
SYMBOL SET SELECTION
FACTORS IN CHOOSING SYMBOLS
Amount of vision
Amount of hearing
The situation
Individual preferences
Age appropriateness
Cultural or ethnic influences
Motor abilities
Skill Levels
Know the individual's preferences
 Identify and analyze daily
communication needs in various
environments
 Consider communication partners

Cognition, perception, processing
RE: CHOOSING SYMBOL SET
SELECTION SHOULD BE
EVIDENCE-BASED
Choosing symbol sets for clinical practice is
a subjective decision, determined by what
the practitioner thinks the individual can
use and what symbol set might be easiest
for the practitioner to employ (e.g., PCSs
provided in an organized format and
displayed easily via computer software
program) (Romski & Sevcik, 1996)
“A practitioner who uses Picture
Communication Symbols with a given child
just because they are on his or her
bookshelf would be following the principle
of expedience…. Clearly, habit or
expedience would be unacceptable
sources for decision making in EBP.”
(Schlosser & Raghavendra, 2003, p. 262)
Comparing Two Symbol Sets
General Principles for Consideration
in Symbol Set Selection



Adults were asked preference between Gus
Overboard symbols and Mayer-Johnson Picture
Communication Symbols
Neither set was highly preferred by any age
group
Individuals did have preferences; therefore, no
set should be routinely chosen over the other
without considering client and family input
(Scherz et al., 2006)
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM


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Don’t assume that someone with multiple
impairments has the same learning style
as someone with normal sensory input or
perceptions
Remember that AAC systems usually
employ more than one type of
communication (i.e., AAC is multimodal)
Start small yet plan for the future
Symbols are a continuum rather than a
hierarchy
3
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
The SSR
The SSR
Symbol Set Review
Symbol Set Review
More Options Available
Though similar often have salient
differences
 Individualization
 Management of communication
system design & development

SYMBOL EVALUATION
MATERIALS
The SSR was developed to guide
consideration of
A
symbol set’s purpose
 Parameters
 Usability
 Iconicity
VOCABULARY FOR EVALUATION
TOOLKIT

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Eat
Drink
Bathroom
Music
Dog
Play (ball)
Read (book)
Playdough
Bubbles
Jewelry
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Money
Help
All done
Want
Mine
More
Stop
Go
Work
Television
Based on research into early vocabulary development (Banajee, et al., 2003),
the importance of requesting as an early communicative behavior, and the
needs of our work environment.
SCAFFOLDING

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Realize that the initial behaviors may not be
intentional communication but rather the basis
for developing communicative interaction.
Start with the most abstract level that the
individual can understand.
It is far more important to establish
communicative intent than to focus on
progression through the continuum of symbols.
Consider aided symbols as going along a
continuum from textures to graphics. HOWEVER,
remember symbols do not follow a hierarchy.
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Tactile Systems
(Textured Symbols & Object Symbols)
Systems Origins


Began with individuals with dual sensory
impairment (deaf/blindness)
Let individual know what coming next


Often associated with personal need routines (diaper
changing/moving position/eating)
Avoid startle response and forms of
inappropriate behavior
(Rowland & Stremel-Campbell, 1987)
4
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
Tactile Systems
(Textured Symbols & Object Symbols)
TACTILE SYSTEMS
General Strategies for Use


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Pair with smell, temperature and
texture/shape for more input (Rowland &
Stremel-Campbell, 1987)
Use consistently by all persons interacting
with the individual in all environments
Later give opportunity to make specific
and active response (pre-intentional,
pre-symbolic)
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ADVANTAGES OF USING
TACTILE SYSTEMS
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Provides a receptive means of
communication
Adds structure to the environment
Stimulates expressive communication
Helps with learning sequences
Concrete support for learning
communication system
Reinforces cause and effect
Textured Systems
Two Types Of Touch
Perception of being
touched
Perception caused by
touching
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Potential Users
Beginning communicators
Those with sensory
impairment(s)
Individuals with profound
cognitive disabilities
Acquired complex
communication needs
ADVANTAGES OF USING
TACTILE SYSTEMS

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Aids in managing behavior
Facilitates concept teaching
Helps with making transitions
Promotes understanding of representation
(symbolism)
Stimulates interaction with the
environment
Aids in acquiring organizational skills
WHAT IS A TEXTURED
SYMBOL?
A textured symbol is a paired association between
a texture and an object, activity
(Murray-Branch et al., 1991) or concept
Instead of a visible association, the relationship
between the texture and referent occurs through
the act of repeated pairings, using the sense of
touch, of the texture to the real object or
activity. This is similar to using words as
abstract labels with the auditory sense.
5
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
TEXTURED SYMBOL

Logical: symbol that can be logically
associated with its referent (translucent)



Piece of spandex representing swimming
Piece of fake fur representing a fake fur
vibrating pillow
TEXTURED SYMBOLS

Very individualized systems

Few commercially available products

Arbitrary: created association between
texture and referent (opaque)

Piece of corrugated cardboard representing
vanilla ice cream
WHY DO TEXTURED SYMBOLS
WORK?

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Instantly recognizable, without significant
cognitive processing and with little demand for
investigation
No need for spatial orientation or reference as
with objects (Murray-Branch et al., 1991)
Reduce demands on memory
No demand for manipulation
Can be displayed on a two dimensional surface
Can be uniform across a presentation area of any
size (Murray-Branch et al., 1991)
TRANSITION TEXTURES

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Usually designed for a specific person or
to teach a specific concept
Each texture has a
wristband and two
matching 2½" x 3½"
hand-washable fabric
cards
10 textures - 30 pieces
Velcro-backed for easy
attachment to schedule
boards
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
TRANSITION TEXTURES
Adaptivation
Communication or
identification system
offering a variety of
different fabrics, each
with a distinctive feel


Produced by Speechables, sold by Adaptivation
Developed to support transitions during the
school day for students who were very tactile
learners with cognitive and visual impairments
SENSORY DISCRIMINATION KIT
Enabling Devices

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Eight brightly colored holder (3"
x 3") housed in an impactresistant frame (16” x 9”)
Icons attached by Velcro, can be
repositioned
Contains: Unbreakable Mirror •
Fine Sand Texture • Sparkle
Holographic Film • Soft Fur •
Large Black Bumps • Fuzzy Felt
• Small Orange Bumps • Coarse
Velcro
Can be used for sensory
evaluation, treatment or
communication system
6
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
TEACHABLE TOUCHABLES
Educational Insights/Augmentative Resources

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10 sets of 2-3” textured
squares or pillows
To use as
communication system
or schedule, add Velcro
hook fabric and place
onto Velcro receptive
communication or
display board
Storage bag
Tip and activity sheets
WHY DO OBJECT SYMBOLS WORK?

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Require minimal motor skills on part of user
Require minimal memory skills on part of
user (recognize from permanent array rather
than recall)
Relatively low demand on cognitive skills
Make low demands on visual skills
Ease of manipulation and tactile
discrimination
Iconicity: Bears obvious relationship to
referent/low demand on user's
representational skills (transparent to
translucent)
CHOOSING OBJECT SYMBOLS
 Use an object that is touched first or most
frequently during an activity
 Use an object that can be recognized or readily
associated with actual object
 Use objects that are very different from each
other
 Use objects that can be readily presented at time
of activity or routine
 Use referent that occurs frequently and is
motivating
 Provide opportunity for frequent use
 In general, avoid miniatures
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
WHAT ARE OBJECT SYMBOLS?
Object symbols are everyday objects used
consistently to convey specific information.
Object symbols are manipulable and bear a
clear perceptual relationship to the
referents. (transparent to translucent)
Object symbols are created to match the
cognitive abilities, sensory skills, and daily
experiences of an individual.
OBJECT SYMBOLS ARE THREE
DIMENSIONAL SYMBOLS
 Possess height, width and depth
 Include continuum of choices
•
•
•
•
Identical object
Partial or associated object
One or two shared features
Created association
Rowland & Schweigert, 2000
TEACHING OBJECT SYMBOLS
 May at first use actual object
 Use duplicate item (object symbol) to
reinforce representation
 When possible have an exchange system
 Mount object symbol on board
 Change color, texture or size of object
symbol (when needed)
 Use typical object as the symbol to
represent adaptive equipment (regular
spoon when person uses mother care
spoon)
7
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
TALKING MY WAY
FROM ADAPTATION
OBJECT-SYMBOL
RESOURCE, LLC
Full size objects
 Different sets to meet individual
needs
 Accessories, such as eye gaze
boards, available
 Available at objectsymbol.com


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Created by Terri Nolder, available from
Adaptivation
Miniature objects mounted on 4" by 6" cards
Set consists of 30 different objects mounted
on laminated cards with matching MayerJohnson Picture Communication Symbols;
option of child set or teen/adult set - $299
Self Care 5-pack set - $59.00
Use for schedule and choice making many
settings (home, school, work site)
TSBVI
TSBVI
STANDARD TACTILE SYMBOL SYSTEM

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Combination of object and textured symbols
developed by the instructional staff Texas School
for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Differs from “textured communication systems”
in that it is standardized and linguistically based
The background is coded by shape and texture
to represent different meaning categories
Small common objects or parts of objects are
glued to 2-3 inch background shape to represent
specific vocabulary items
http://www.tsbvi.edu/Education/vmi/tactile_symbols.htm
Meaning/Category
Potential Users
System designed for people who are totally blind
or function as if they were totally blind and who
have a practical need for a graphic language
system
If residual vision is adequate, student should be
taught to use a more conventional symbol system

Requires the individual using the symbols to
have specific skills in the areas of communicative
intent and symbolic development
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Background/Texture
Objects
Oval
Laminated plain posterboard
Locations
Square
Needlepoint Backing (vinyl
grid)
Actions
Triangle
Felt
People
Circle
Textured wall paper (bumpy)
Time/Days of
Week/Months
Diamond
Net/Foil
Emotions
Heart
Plain poster board
Function/Miscellaneous
Trapezoid
Lined Braille paper
ADVANTAGES OF USING
TSBVI’S SYSTEM
TSBVI TACTILE SYMBOL SYSTEM

Symbol/Shape

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Provides visually impaired sign language users
a means of communication with others who
do not sign
May give concrete support during learning of
spoken or sign language
Allows greater independence in completing
routines and identifying personal possessions
“Do-it-yourself” system has the potential to
save money
8
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
TACTILE TALK

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
Symbol set development was started by the mother
of a child with dual sensory impairment
The symbols consist of small common objects, parts
of objects, or an abstract representation
Objects are glued to a 2-3 inch plastic background
shape (borrowed from TSBVI)
A small, standard set is available on the Symbol
Communicator for the Blind from Enabling Devices:
Eat, Bathroom, Something wrong, Drink, I want,
Finished Symbols are ordered individually and
customized for each person, and cost around $8.00
each from http://tactiletalk.com
TANGIBLE SYMBOL SYSTEMS
Design to Learn


TACTILE TALK
Advantages
Symbols are:



TM
Developed by Charity Rowland and Philip
Schweigert from the Oregon Institute on
Disability and Development at the Oregon
Health and Science University
Not a symbol set, but a resource for
development and implementation of an
object, texture, or picture communication
system with focus on establishment of
communicative intent and functional
communication
WHAT ARE COPPS?
COPPS are Cut Out Photos Pictures or
Symbols which have been cut to
maintain the appearance of the
original photo, picture or symbol.
When photos of objects are made into
COPPS, it is ideal to maintain the size,
shape and exact appearance of the object.
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Potential Users
Tactile Talk is marketed for people who have a need for a
graphic language system and are totally blind or have
dual sensory impairment
Permanent
Manipulable
Can be selected using a simple motor response such
as touching
TANGIBLE SYMBOL SYSTEMS
TM
Manual: $44.00
 Instructions for selection and
implementation of tangible
symbols
 Reproducible forms for
pretesting, data collection, and
documentation of symbol
acquisition
Training Video/DVD: $31.00
Available at
http://www.designtolearn.com
COPPS
Cut Out Photos Pictures or Symbols
Potential Users




Individuals with severe/profound cognitive
disabilities
Persons needing a bridge between actual
objects and graphic representation
Those who need concrete representation
Those with severe processing disorders
9
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
ADVANTAGES TO COPPS

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

Supports expressive communication while
providing receptive means of
communication
Adds structure to the environment
Possible support for transitioning from
concrete to more abstract communication
system
Reinforces cause and effect
ADVANTAGES TO COPPS





Aids in managing behavior
Facilitates concept teaching
Promotes understanding of
representation (symbolism)
Stimulates interactions with others
Possible to create displays with less bulk
than those with objects
WHY DO COPPS WORK?
WHY DO COPPS WORK?
Require minimal memory skills on part of user
(Permanent from a display rather than recall)
Relatively low demand on cognitive skills
Makes low demands on visual skills
Iconicity: Bears obvious relationship to
referent/low demand on user's representational
skills but supports learning symbolic functioning
(transparent to translucent)
Can be manually manipulated or explored much
like an object
Based on research trials of adolescents with
severe MR matching objects to
photographs vs. cut-out photographs
(maintaining shape of object), it has been
noted that some individuals may view
cut-outs as objects rather than as
representations of objects (Dixon, 1981)
TRANSITIONING TO PHOTOGRAPHS
PHOTOGRAPHS
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If transition to use of photographs is necessary,
use the original full sized photograph of an
object (the one from which the COPPS was
made) and gradually increase the amount of
background
Cut into square or rectangular shape depending
on photo
Attempt to use minimal, then partial and finally
full background
A final step may include a full background with a
white border much like many photos
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM



A picture of a person or scene in the form
of a print or transparent slide; recorded by
a camera on light-sensitive material (from
wordnet.princeton.edu)
Typically of high-quality
May be color or black-and-white
10
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
PHOTOGRAPHS
ADVANTAGES OF USING PHOTOS

Potential Users




Individuals with vision and cognition adequate
for comprehension of representation without the
additional support of shape, dimension, texture,
etc., provided by tactile symbols or COPPS
Beginning communicators
Individuals with severe cognitive disabilities
Those with acquired communication disorders


TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF
PHOTOGRAPHS

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

TIPS FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF
PHOTOGRAPHS
Consider the background

Some people benefit from seeing the referent in its
associated context
Others need a solid background in a color that contrasts
with the referent
Different colors or materials absorb or reflect light in
different ways; position referent in front of several
possible backgrounds to obtain the best photo possible

Scan photos of people, places, and past events that
are meaningful to the client for inclusion in a
communication board or device
PICTURE THIS…
SILVER LINING MULTIMEDIA, INC.




High-resolution photos shot
against a plain background to
reduce potential for visual
distraction
Easy-to-use programs that allow
formatting of photos into various
sizes
Standard edition: 2700 photos
for $49.95
Professional edition: 5000
photos for $89.95
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Research indicates that people with cognitive
disabilities are able to match photos with referents
(color more accurate than b&w, b&w photos more
so than line drawings) (Mirenda & Locke, 1989;
Sevcik & Romski, 1986)
Many time-saving, high-quality photographs are
available on CD-Rom or pre-printed from companies
such as Attainment, Mayer-Johnson, Exceptional
Speech Products and Silver Lining Multimedia
Photos of an individual’s own family, friends, support
staff, and possessions can be tangible and
powerfully motivating symbols
Take advantage of digital photography
 Memory is cheap - take multiple pictures of a referent to
ensure a good photo
 Use a software program to crop background, and adjust
features such as brightness and contrast
 a photograph taken without flash and enhanced by
software can provide the same crisp features as using
flash - but without the glare
 Save files in a format accepted by your favorite overlay
making software (e.g., bmp, jpg, gif)
LIFE IN FOCUS
ATTAINMENT COMPANY




4800 digital photographs
featuring places, people,
objects, daily tasks and many
other situation
Subjects presented in the
context as they would be seen
on a daily basis
Royalty-free, JPG files
$79.00
11
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
ELLIECARDS
PHOTO SENTENCE MAKER
EXCEPTIONAL SPEECH PRODUCTS
 5000 digital photographs
and 11,000 words
 Enters photos as words are
typed (words below, above
or to side)
 Utilize to create photo
stories, books, instructions
and recipes
 Print or play on-screen
 $199.95
FROM EARLY LEARNING IMAGES




CYRANO COMMUNICATOR
TANGO
from One Write Company





Based handheld PDA with built-in HP
Photosmart camera
Uses a picture-based interface or textTM
to-speech (Cyrano Shorthand )
Designed to be easily programmed by
user or caregiver, with lay out and
strategy developed by therapist
Comes with a demo program with 45
pictures and 50 clip art images
Can use any .bmp, .jpg, or .gif file
(recommended max of 160x120 pixels)
from BlinkTwice
The Tango features a built-in camera. Photos can
be immediately used as a symbol, and the
messages they represent can be recorded or
synthesized.
WHAT ARE GRAPHIC SYMBOLS?
(other than photos)






Black and white line drawings
Color line drawings
Black and white realistic
Color realistic
Black and white scenes
Color scenes
GRAPHIC SYMBOLS
Potential Users

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
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Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Complete set of
picture cards intended
as an AAC system for
young children with
special needs
192 elliecards = $133
With binder, color
coded pages and
choice board = $239
Custom add-on set of
16 cards = $100
Beginning communicators
Persons with severe/profound cognitive
disabilities
Persons with acquired communication
disabilities
Individuals able to understand
representation
Nonverbal persons with limited motor skills
12
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
ADVANTAGES TO USING
GRAPHIC SYMBOLS
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2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
WHY DO GRAPHIC SYMBOLS WORK?
Provides both receptive and expressive means of
communication
Supports language learning
Enables wide vocabulary
Aids in literacy learning
Aids in concept development
Permits interaction within daily environments
Assists in socialization
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Depends on static rather than fleeting
stimuli and responses (recognition vs.
recall - Mirenda, 2003)
Reduced demand on cognitive skills
Can be individualized based on person’s
needs
Supports acquisition of communication
skills through vision
BLISSYMBOLS
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BLISSYMBOLS
Blissymbols = “a partially picture-based
symbol set with linguistic characteristics”
(Huer, 2000)
Developed by Charles Bliss to function as
an auxiliary language for international
written communication
Appear to be used primarily in Canada,
Scandinavian countries, and the UK
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Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Pictographs: look like what they represent
Ideographs: represent ideas
New Bliss symbols are added annually by an
international panel affiliated with Blissymbolics
Communication International
Have their own grammar
Are consistently shown in research to be more
opaque than other symbol sets (e.g., PCS,
Rebus, Pictograms)
Advantages of Using
Blissymbols
BLISSYMBOLS
Potential Users
Those with good visual skills
Potential readers
Those with good language skills
Composed of over 2,000 graphic symbols, which
are composed of one or more Bliss-characters
which can be combined and recombined in
endless ways to create new symbols
Wide vocabulary
Grammar which allows for communication in
past, present, and future tense
Markers for possession, plurality, questions,
and commands
User can create new symbols or decode
unfamiliar ones through application of
knowledge of only about 100 component
parts
13
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
PICTOGRAM SYMBOLS
FROM ZYGO
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PICTOGRAM SYMBOLS
Introduced as a visual system of communication in
1980
Developed in Canada, Sweden, and Portugal
Made up of bold graphics consisting of white
symbols on black background
In Windows Metafile (WMF) format, and therefore
maintain proportion when resized
Available in Pictogram Symbol Reference Book, as
PictureBase Pictogram CD-Rom library, or in
Pictocom SE, a menu-based software application
with human voice output
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ADVANTAGES OF USING
PICTOGRAM SYMBOLS
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White symbol reflects light while black
background removes possibility of figureground confusion
Recognized across many cultures as an
“international strategy for visual
communication”
May be perceived as clearer, more dignified
than cute or caricatured line drawings
SCLERA PICTOGRAMS
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Designed by a worker at a home and day
center for adults with cognitive disabilities to
offer “structure and clarity”
Currently, 1041 symbols available in Dutch,
with 399 available in English
With few exceptions, consist of white
symbols with black background
PICTURE
COMMUNICATION
SYMBOLS
FROM MAYER JOHNSON
ADVANTAGES OF USING
SCLERA PICTOGRAMS
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Free download from http://www.sclera.be !
Bitmap format easily imported into overlay
design software or other software
applications
High contrast symbols may be useful for
individuals with visual impairment
Website declares that pictograms will be
designed on request
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Potential Users
Appropriate for individuals across age
ranges
High contrast symbols may be more easily
seen by those with visual impairment
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4,500 PCS in both black-and-white and
color
Can use Boardmaker software to create
materials and communication displays
Powerful search engine
Permits modifying symbols easily
Import digital photos and other graphics
and easily resize and format
14
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
PICTURE
COMMUNICATION
SYMBOLS
FROM MAYER JOHNSON
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DYNASYMS
More than 300 templates for schedules, device
overlays, calendars, song boards, and more
42 languages
Option to install country-specific symbols such as
holidays, famous people, food and currency
Many CD’s with materials and activities
commercially available to use with Boardmaker
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OVERBOARD
FROM GUS COMMUNICATIONS
DYNASYMS
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Over 5,000 color symbols are available on
DynaVox products
6,000 symbols in color and gray tones (12,000
total) are available as a library for Boardmaker
Poppin and Company takes requests for symbols
New symbols can be created by following the
generative rules that are include with the
dictionary of symbols
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ADVANTAGES OF USING OVERBOARD
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Less costly than other popular overlay
design software programs ($169 to $199,
depending on voice capabilities), with free
upgrades
Fairly easy to use, with online tutorials to
assist with learning all major functions
Most symbols are age appropriate for
children, teenagers, and adults
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Designed by Poppin and Company (originally
developed by Faith Carlson, a Speech-Language
Pathologist)
Based on a hand drawn communication symbol
system called PICSYMS first published in 1985
The original DynaSyms were 800 black and
white pixel drawn symbols developed for the
original DynaVox communication device
Research indicated that PICSYMS were slightly
less translucent than PCS and Rebus (now
Widgit Literacy Symbols) and more translucent
than Bliss (Bloomberg et al., 1990)
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An overlay and board designer with dynamic display
and voice output capabilities
Per company president, not originally designed to
compete with other software, but to fill the need for
symbols that were appropriate for and accepted by
people of all ages
Over 5,500 symbols, ranging from realistic to
abstract, with no stick figures and direct linking to
Microsoft Clipart
Demo available at
http://www.gusinc.com/Overboard
LITERACY SUPPORT PICTURES (LSP)
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LSP are the Slater Software picture library
Used in Slater’s Picture Assisted Literacy
(PAL) programs that pair visual
representations (picture) with words to
help new readers
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Picture Assisted Reading: reading of pictureand-word adapted materials (Picture It)
Picture Assisted Writing is writing with
picture-and-word adapted materials
(PixWriter)
15
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
WIDGIT LITERACY SYMBOLS
(formerly Rebus)
IMAGINE SYMBOLS
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Developed by several different AT companies
Attainment, Saltillo, Great Talking Box and
Madentec
Realistic, colorful illustrations
Appropriate for all ages
Organize by 15 topics which include emotions,
phrases, verbs and computer devices
4000 symbols; set scheduled for expansion and
completion
Free for noncommercial use at
www.imaginesymbols.com
First devised as part of the Peabody Rebus Reading
Program in the USA in the 1960's
Symbols numbered around 600 until the advent of
symbol software, at which point Rebus was gradually
taken over by Widgit Software
Currently over 7000 line drawings covering a
vocabulary of over 20,000 words
Generally a transparent relationship with referent
(Bloomberg et al., 1990)
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THE ICON MAKER
HIGH CONTRAST ICONS
BY ENABLING DEVICES
WIDGIT LITERACY SYMBOLS
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Available in Writing with Symbols 2000, v2.6,
and Communicate: In Print 2 (marketed in US
by Mayer-Johnson)
Widgit has made available a variety of free
and low-cost, symbol-supported learning
materials and symbol stories at
http://www.widgit.com
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THE ICON MAKER
HIGH CONTRAST ICONS
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Advantages
 include current images
 high quality photographs
 low cost
Works because
 Color supports recognition of images
 Photos support realistic representation
 High contrast helps eliminate
background/foreground conflict
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Photographs on high contrast black background in
printed form and CD by Enabling Devices (3”x3” and
5”x5.25”)
Files on CD are PDF - page must be printed and
photos manually cut out
Potential Users include children with visual acuity
and/or processing disorders, those with dual sensory
impairments, individuals needing minimal background
conflict, or beginning communication with severe
cognitive disabilities or a need for color to support
recognition and learning
PICK ‘N STICK
FROM PROED
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Clip art library designed to provide a
functional vocabulary for nonspeakers
More than 2,500 images in color and black
and white
Alphabetical and categorical picture indexes
See 'n Sign® sign language images are
included
16
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
PICK ‘N STICK
FROM PROED
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TECH/SYMS
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Topics include people, food, feelings, school,
common activities, common items,
emergency, health, work
Provides picture support for daily living
sequences such as dressing, laundry, and
grocery shopping
$314.00 – CD-Rom and manual in binder
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GOTALK OVERLAY SOFTWARE
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Available from Attainment Company, with readymade templates are provided for all GoTalks plus
the Personal Talker, VoicePod and Talking Photo
Album
Free demo software for Windows based computers
at http://www.attainmentcompany.com
Includes an Imagine Symbol Library, and a copy
and paste feature to gather images from the web
or other media
$79.00 for CD-Rom
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150 icons made to fit various
communication devices by Enabling
Devices
Color line drawings
Symbols arranged alphabetically
Whole page must be printed and needed
symbols cut from the page
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Series I: basic daily living verbs, leisure activities,
occupations, people, primary body parts, emotions
Series II: foods, animals, clothes, colors, numbers,
sports, family members, and other nouns
Series III: places, geography, emotions, seasons,
weather, places and other nouns
Free from AMDi
GOTALK OVERLAY SOFTWARE
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Set is comprised primarily of realistic color line
drawings and photographs
Editing features allow designer to change color,
size and font of text, and to move, enlarge, rotate
and crop pictures
PICTURE MASTER LANGUAGE
SOFTWARE
THE ICON MAKER by
ENABLING DEVICES
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Tech/Syms are a collection of pictorial symbols
used for the Tech/Overlay Designer software
and also other communication software
applications
Three series of Tech/Syms
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Software Program with 20,000 symbols and 680
background scenes
Six different formats
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Black and white simple line drawing
Color line drawings
Black/white realistic drawings
Color realistic drawings
photos
Scenes
Animated gifs
17
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
PICTURE MASTER LANGUAGE
SOFTWARE
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TANGO
Can use to allow computer to become a
communication device
Utilize grids to make communication
displays for devices such as Bluebird
Adds voice to Bluebird
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Tango was initiated by the parent of an AAC
user; several authorities in AAC were involved in
its development
Developed symbols to support communication
through phrases
2000 messages
2000 words
Symbols currently available only as part of the
device
MINSPEAK/UNITY BY
PRENTKE ROMICH
TANGO
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12 different image sets and voices for
children; expanded from original two to
allow for differences in culture and
ethnicity
New Teen Tango has a male and female
symbol set
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Minspeak = “Minimum Effort Speech”
Differs from other symbol sets, in which one
picture represents one word or concept
Minspeak is a language, also called “Semantic
Compaction,” in which words are generated by
combining short sequences of multi-meaning icons
Unity is a software application for PRC devices
which employs Minspeak as well as alphabet-based
communication and single-meaning icons
MINSPEAK/UNITY
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Icons serve as multi-meaning pictures
Many associations possible with each icon
E.g., the yellow, smiley-faced sun icon
represents “like” as a single message, while
its secondary iconicity is used via icon
sequencing to produce fun, yellow, and smile
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MINSPEAK/UNITY
PRC’s symbols are not a necessary component
of Minspeak
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A PCS addition specifically for PRC devices is
available from Mayer-Johnson
BMP files (including photographs) can be
imported for use as symbols
Secondary iconicity: the lesser meaning(s) of any
picture or visual representation
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
18
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
LINGRAPHICA
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SGD designed specifically for adults with
aphasia
Uses images, animation, text and spoken
words
Design based on VA funded study
LanguageImages
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POTENTIAL ADVANTAGES OF
USING SYMBOLSTIX
SYMBOLSTIX
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Developed by authors of News-2-You to meet that
publication’s continuous need for new symbols
Over 3000 symbols, with weekly additions
Core symbol vocabulary consists of stick figures
that are “easy to understand but still maintain a
sense of style and character”
Symbols representing actual people are more
realistically drawn
Currently available only as part of News-2-You,
although a subscription service with weekly
updates based is being considered
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VSDs portray events, people, actions,
objects and activities against the
backgrounds within which they occur or
exist (Blackstone, 2005)
VSDs may be generic or personalized
Several companies produce devices that
support use of VSDs: Assistive
Technology, Inc., AMDi, Dynavox,
Enabling Devices, Lingraphica, MayerJohnson
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
Concepts chosen and symbols developed to
meet real-world need to support receptive
and expression communication through News2-You
Stylish, brightly colored symbols may be
particularly appealing to school age children
VISUAL SCENE DISPLAYS
ON DYNAVOX V
VISUAL SCENE DISPLAYS (VSDs)
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Pre-made or custom designed picture schedules
(3-10 symbols) and communication boards (6-35
symbols)
Pre-made boards use Stillwater Speech images,
designed to be free of race and culture bias and
include images suitable for adults and children
Image database expanded weekly, based in part
on feedback from customers
Boards can be downloaded, pre-printed, and/or
laminated from www.laminatedimages.com
Prices start at $3.00 per board (for downloads)
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Background scenes
and invisible buttons
set context for
communication
Allows user to add
own personally
meaningful scenes
19
Selecting Symbols Sets: Implications for
AAC Users, Clinicians, & Researchers
2007 ASHA Convenbtion
Boston, MA
Proposed Directions for
Research
SCENE COMMUNICATION BUILDER
BY ENABLING DEVICES
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Device provides 7
colorful pictures to
introduce scenebased communication
1-16 messages per
scene
$389.95
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Proposed Directions for
Research
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Establishment of what makes a picture
realistic, and its effect on learning and use
of symbols
Effect of varying size and content of
backgrounds on recognition and
communicative use of pictures
Transition to voice output after
communicative intent has been
accomplished with symbol usage
Standardization of protocols for
assessment of symbol sets
Updating of studies on iconicity involving
commonly used, currently available
symbol sets
Learnability of symbol sets
Communicative use of symbol sets
Consideration of learning style in symbol
set selection
Proposed Directions for
Research and Symbol Design
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Further research regarding user
preferences and what features of symbols
affect a set’s desirability
Support for developers of symbol sets to
consider findings from previous studies in
their design, to conduct research on the
effectiveness of their own symbols, and to
consider standardization in creation and
expansion of their sets
THANK YOU
for your interest in
SYMBOL SET SELECTION
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Director of Speech, Language & Hearing Services
Murdoch Developmental Center
mary.joan.mcclure@ncmail.net
919/575-1692
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
AAC Consultant in Private Practice
libbyrush@aol.com
919/471-2819
Mary Joan McClure, MS, CCC-SLP
Libby Rush, MA, CCC-SLP, CPM
20