Symbol Set Resources
Finding and Using Pictures for Communication and Learning
Symbols are pictures (or objects) that “stand for” a word or concept. They are used to create visual supports, including
picture schedules, communication books, and overlays for AAC devices.
There are many kinds of symbols, so find the ones that are meaningful to the student. Think about the size, format, colors,
and “transparency” (e.g., how clear or easy it is to understand meaning) of the pictures being used. For example, a student
might understand a digital picture of his mother better than a clip art picture of a woman with the word “mother” printed.
Resources for symbols include free symbol sets or search engines on the internet and “commercial” symbol sets that you
purchase and use from a CD-Rom. Below is a list of selected resources for symbols. It is not intended to be a comprehensive
listing, but a suggestion for getting started.
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Resources for Learning about Symbols
www.widgit.com/symbols/about_symbols/what_are_symbols.htm – Explanation of symbols and their uses.
depts.washington.edu/augcomm/02_features/03c_symbols.htm – Description of different types of symbols.
Collections of Resources
www.lburkhart.com/pics.html – Collection of “Websites for Pictures” by Linda Burkhart, therapist.
teachinglearnerswithmultipleneeds.blogspot.com/2010/08/free-programs-to-make-communication.html – Article on
“Free Programs to Make Communication Boards and Free Symbols Sets” by Kate Ahern, special education teacher.
www.givinggreetings.com/ – Website resource for information and links about augmentative communication, including
lists of free online symbol sets, pre-made boards, and more by a parent of a child with cerebral palsy.
www.taptotalk.com/pictureinfo.aspx – Links to symbol sets to download for printing, or use in AAC software (apps).
Free Resources for Finding Symbols
*Note- Some free symbols found online may be copyright-protected.*
www.google.com/images – Search engine for images. Use Advanced Image Search to sort by type, size, and color.
www.picsearch.com – “Family friendly” search engine for images with advanced filtering to remove offensive material.
Use Advanced Search to sort symbols by type, size, and color.
www.iconarchive.com – Search engine for graphics. Can sort symbols by category, size, and color.
pics.tech4learning.com – Collection of copyright-friendly digital photos to download. Browse from 40+ topics or use
Advanced Search to sort by keyword or location.
www.allfree-clipart.com – Collection of clipart to download. Browse through 20+ categories or search by keyword.
kidsturncentral.com/clipart.htm – Collection of kid-themed clipart to download. Browse through 40+ categories.
Difficult to search by keyword.
ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/clipart/default.htm – Browse through 10+ categories of clipart pictures in color and black &
white, including “Nursery Rhymes” category.
straight-street.com/gallery.php – Collection of line drawings. Must register to download pictures. Search by keyword.
www.sclera.be/index.php – White on black “pictograms” designed for people with disabilities. Browse alphabetically, by
category or search by keyword.
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Symbol Software for Free
www.pecsforall.com/pictoselector/index_en.html – “Picto Selector” – Free software for download that uses multiple
symbol sets and allows viewing, editing, and printing grid-style communication boards
www.proyectotico.com/wiki-en/index.php/Home – “TICO” – Free open source software to make printable OR
interactive (dynamic) communication boards. Also available in Spanish and French. Uses free, downloadable
ARASAAC drawing-style symbols.
www.photosyms.org/ – “PHOTOsyms” – Free software for download to create and print grid-style communication
boards using your own saved or imported symbols.
Symbol Software for Sale
*Note: Particular vendors are listed as a convenience, and do not represent an endorsement.
There may be multiple vendors for these products.*
www.mayer-johnson.com/category/boardmaker-family – Boardmaker – Popular computer software to design and print
visual materials. Uses Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). Allows import of other graphics or photos. Can also
purchase PCS symbols separately.
www.silverliningmm.com/photocds_default.html – “Picture This,” “Visual Essentials,” & More – Digital photos on
white “distraction-free” background. Computer software for formatting and printing.