Visual Supports: Sources for Symbols for Receptive and Expressive Communication, by Beverly Vicker, IRCA Articles, Access Autism


	Visual Supports: Sources for Symbols for Receptive and Expressive Communication Contributed by Beverly Vicker Visual symbols such as objects, photos, drawings and text can support the expressive and receptive communicative needs of many individuals. Expressive communication can be supported through various visual mediums as the person’s needs and abilities change. Comprehension information can be presented in formats that include instructional video, choice displays, sequences, schedules of events or activities, behavioral reminders or guidelines, and graphic organizers. In addition to the visual resources listed by distributor below are a number of books, articles, and websites which might also be helpful. Although the focus is on permanent or static symbols, references for manual signs are also provided. Selected Books and Articles Beukelman, D., & Miranda, P. (1998). Augmentative and alternative communication: Management of severe communication disorders in children and adults (2nd ed.) Baltimore, MD: Paul Brookes Publishing Company. Beukelman, D., McGinnis, J., & Morrow, D. (1991). Vocabulary selection in augmentative and alternative communication. AAC: Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 7(3), 171-185. (Also see the website http://aac.unl.edu). Bondy, A. & Frost, L. (2002). A picture’s worth: PECS and other visual communication strategies in autism. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. Bernstein, H., Saulnier, K.L., & Hamilton, L.B. (Eds.). (1983). Comprehensive Signed English dictionary. Washington, DC: Gallaudet Press. Hodgdon, L. (1995). Visual strategies for improving communication (Vol. 1): Practical supports for school and home. Solana Beach, CA: Mayer-Johnson Company. Hodgdon, L. (1999). Solving behavior problems in autism: Improving communication with visual strategies. Solana Beach, CA: Mayer-Johnson Company. Lane, L.G. (1990). The Gallaudet survival guide to signing. (2nd ed.). Washington, DC: Gallaudet Press. McClannahan, L.E. & Krantz, P.J. (1999). Activity schedules for children with autism: Teaching independent behavior. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House. Rowland, C. & Schweigert, P. (2002). Tangible symbol systems (2nd ed.). Portand, OR: Oregon Health & Science University. Savner, J. L. & Myles, B. S. (2002). Making visual supports work in the home and community. Shawnee Mission, KS: Autism Asperger Publishing Company. Vicker, B. (1996). Using tangible symbols for communication purposes: An optional step in building the two-way communication process. Bloomington, IN: Indiana Institute on Disability and Community (formerly Indiana Institute for the Study of Developmental Disabilities.) Miscellaneous Information Computer images from a digital camera or a scanner can supplement commercial resources. These can be used as a primary source for visual symbols since such use would allow customization and personalization of visual images. Video productions are increasingly become a source for visual support/assistance with comprehension. No additional resources are provided about using this medium. Catalogues and on-line stores of various distributors will list other products besides the limited visual resources listed below. Many examples of graphic organizers are contained in materials that can usually be purchased in a school supply store. References related to augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) programming are located in the communication and augmentative communication bibliographies available at the website of the Indiana Resource Center for Autism (www.iidc.indiana.edu/irca). Also of relevance is the article entitled Visual Schedules and Choice Boards: Avoid Misinterpretation of their Primary Functions. Other Websites with Useful Information, Pictures, or Links Augmentative Resources. www.augresources.com University of Florida Center for Autism and Related Disabilities. www.card.ufl.edu Do2Learn. www.dotolearn.com University of Iowa Regional Autism Services Program. www.medicine.uiowa.edu/autismservices/visual_supports Beyond Autism. http://trainland.tripod.com Distributors of Visual Symbol Materials The following listings are for information purposes only; no endorsement of companies, distributors, or products is implied by Indiana University, by the Indiana Institute on Disability and Community, or by the Indiana Resource Center for Autism. Attainment Company P.O. Box 930160 Verona, WI 53593-0160 Phone: (800) 327-4269 Fax: (800) 942-3865 e-mail: info@attainmentcompany.com Website: www.attainmentcompany.com Products: Paper and CD-ROM versions of Picture Cues; Picture Prompts (especially for schedules and activity sequences), Boardmaker Crestwood Communication Aids 6625 N. Sidney Place Milwaukee, WI 53209-3259 Phone: (414) 352-5678 Fax: (414) 352-5679 e-mail: crestcomm@aol.com Website: www.communicationaids.com Products: Talking Pictures; Passports to Independence materials. Don Johnston Company 26799 W. Commerce Drive Volvo, IL 60073 Phone: (800) 999-4660 Fax: (847) 740-07326 e-mail: info@donjohnston.com Website: www.donjohnston.com Products: Software - Picture It, PIX Writer, Writing with Symbols. Gallaudet University Press 800 Florida Avenue, NE Washington, DC 20002-3695 (202)-651-5488 FAX: (202)-651-5489 Website: http://gupress.gallaudet.edu Products: Pictures for American Sign Language and Signed English concepts and vocabulary. Hermera Technologies 490 St. Joseph Blvd. Hulls, Quebec, Canada J8Y 3Y7 Phone: (819) 772-8200 Fax: (819) 778-6252 Website: www.hemera.com Products: Software - Photo clip art collections. Inspiration, Inc. 7412 SW Beaverton Hills Hwy, Suite 102 Portland, OR 97225 Phone: (800)-877-4292 FAX: (503)-297-3004 www.inspiration.com Products: Inspiration and Kidspiration (software to diagram, outline, and organize information and ideas). Intellitools, Inc. 1720 Corporate Circle Petaluma, CA 94954 Phone: (800) 899-6687 Fax: (707)-773-2001 e-mail: info@intellitools.com Website: www.intellitools.com Products: Software - IntelliPics, IntelliKeys, IntelliTalk, Overlay Maker, Math Pad (allows math to be done directly on one’s computer). Kid Access 6526 Darlington Road Pittsburgh, PA 15217 Phone: (412) 521-8552 Fax: (412) 521-8556 e-mail: jill@kidaccess.com Website: www.kidaccess.com Product: Eye-cons (a collection of drawings on CD-ROM or customized printout). Mayer-Johnson Company PO Box 1579 Solana Beach, CA 92075-7579 Phone: (800) 588-4548 Fax: (858) 550-0449 e-mail: MayerJ@mayer-johnson.com Website: www.mayer-johnson.com Products: Boardmaker; Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) and PCS books; Software - Photo Object collections; Picture This; Places You Go, Things You Do; School Routines and Rules; Functional Living Skills and Behavior Rules. Poppin and Company Communication Materials P.O. Box 176 Unity, ME 04988 Phone: (207) 437-2746 Fax: (207) 437-2404 e-mail: poppin@uninets.net www.poppinandcompany.com Products: DynaSyms Cut and Paste book; DynaSym stickers; yes-no fabric symbols; yes-no wrist bands. Pro-Ed, Inc. 8700 Shoals Creek Blvd. Austin, TX 78757 Phone: (800)-897-3202 FAX: (800)-397-7633 e-mail: info@proedinc.com www.proedinc.com Products: Pick’n Stick pictures symbols; See’n Sign symbols (merchandise formerly available from Imaginart). Pyramid Educational Consultants, Inc. 226 West Park Place, Suite #1 Newark, DE 19711 Phone: (888) 732-7462 Fax: (302) 368-2516 e-mail: pyramid@pecs.com Website: www.pecs.com Products: Picture symbols. Silver Lining Multimedia, Inc. P.O. Box 2201 Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 Phone: (888)-777-0876 FAX: (888)-777-0875 Email: info@silverliningmm.com Website: www.silverliningmm.com Products: Software - Picture This; Places You Go, Things You Do; Functional Living Skills; School Routines and Rules. Slater Software, Inc. 351 Badger Lane Guffey, CO 80820 Phone: (877)-306-6968 Fax: (719) 479-2254 e-mail: info@slatersoftware.com Website: www.slatersoftware.com Products: Software - Picture It (adds symbols to text); PixWriter. Vicker, B. (2003). Visual supports: Sources for symbols for receptive and expressive communication. The Reporter, 8(2), 14-16, 22.