Visual of a first then board - visual supports

Visuals supports

Visual supports aid and enhance communication. They provide children and adults with speech, language and communication needs with an alternative mode of communication. Visual supports can help to: provide structure and routine, encourage independence, build confidence, improve understanding, avoid frustration and anxiety and provide opportunities to interact with others. They can be used in most situations, are adaptable and portable.

Alternative & Augmentative Communication

AAC is any communication tool that helps to add to someone’s speech or can be used instead of speech. AAC includes gesture, signing, objects, photographs, symbols, word boards, communication books and boards as well as voice output communication aids. ‘Anyone who has difficulty with “spoken” speech & language skills might use AAC. Sometimes AAC is used temporarily and sometimes it is used long term’ Emily Diaz SLP. You learn AAC the same way you learn language and it takes time!

PICTURE EXCHANGE BOOK

This is what a picture exchange book might look like. The Speech and Language Therapist might recommend your child uses picture exchange to help them communicate their needs and wants.

CHOICE BOARDS

Choice boards allow your child to choose their preferred options. This particular choice board is for a child to choose what nursery rhyme they want to sing. Having a selection of choices on the board, enables your child to develop their picture/symbol recognition skills and identify what they want It is important that children have opportunities to make choices throughout their day.

FIRST / THEN BOARD

A first/then board can help your child understand what is happening next. e.g. If you added photos or symbols of park and car to the board, this will prepare your child to leave the park and to get back into the car when it is time to go. You will also say the words ‘first park and then car’ as you point to the symbols on the board.

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COUNTDOWN STRIP

A countdown strip can be used to help a child to transition gradually from what they are doing to the end of the activity, e.g. ‘the bath is finished in 5..4...3..2..1 the bath is all done’

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COMMUNICATION BOOK

A communication board is easy to carry and take with you. Your child can have multiple copies of it around home and in school.

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Communication Boards

BASIC COMMUNICATION

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I FEEL...

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PLACES

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CLOTHES

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SWIMMING

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TOILET

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SOMETHING'S WRONG

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I AM HURT

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makaton

Makaton is a language programme using signs and symbols to help children to communicate. Makaton is designed to support spoken language. Child can use signs and their voice to say the word at the same time – Makaton does not replace speech, It enhances it. For children who have experienced the frustration of being unable to communicate meaningfully or effectively, Makaton really can help to ease frustration and enable individuals to connect with other people and the world around them. This opens up all kinds of possibilities. Today, over 100,000 children and adults use Makaton symbols and signs to communicate. Your child’s Speech and Language Therapist will be able to discuss with you whether Makaton will be helpful for your child, and will demonstrate some signs to start with.

The following links are genuine sources of Makaton signing – please be aware that some sources of signing available online are not necessarily verified Makaton signs, and could be confusing.

SINGING HANDS

Singing Hands have a brilliant range of resources using Makaton, including DVDs, songs and signed stories. Also look Singing Hands up on YouTube – their channel has lots of topic videos of signs to follow.

MR TUMBLE

CBeebies’ Something Special programme uses Makaton in lots of real-life situations. There are additional resources on the CBeebies web site.

SING UP ON YOUTUBE

Sing Up is an award-winning not-for-profit organisation providing the complete singing solution for schools, with access to the unique Song Bank, tailored resources, training and personalised support.