Symbols

Makaton and Widgit Symbols are used throughout the school to support children and young people’s understand and use of language. Staff create symbols using the Communicate in Print software. 

 

Visual timetables

All classes have a daily or weekly visual timetable on display. According to the needs of the pupils, this may be object/picture/symbol/word based. Some pupils have personal timetables to help them to understand and follow the structure of the school day. As these pupils move through the day, they look at their timetable and remove completed segments.

 

Aided Language Boards

An Aided Language Board is a picture symbol board that can be used to support an interaction around an activity. The pictures (words) on the board will enable a child and the adult supporting them to make comments, requests or give a direction to each other.

 

Talking Mats

Talking Mats are a way of enabling pupils to be involved in expressing their views and making choices, with the aid of symbols. It is highly adaptable and allows even quite complicated issues to be simplified in a way that is meaningful for the pupil.