Sample Pages I Can Say it with Symbols Communication Book : simplebooklet.com

I Can Say it with Symbols I Can Say it with Symbols Tips for Using a Communication Book with Adults This Communication book for adults was created specifically for adults who struggle with speech and cognitive difficulties to help them communicate personal choices and give them the opportunity to be understood by family, friends and caregivers more easily, while maintain their independence and dignity. Using pictures to aid communication is a simple strategy. Pictures, symbols and written words represent vocabulary and concepts important to the person using them. Pictures help find words easily. While they should include vocabulary related to basic needs, just as important is vocabulary to communicate in social situations or to share information in conversation. The size of the picture, access method and portability matter depending upon your user’s physical limitations and needs. This communication book offers a variety of communication pages or boards assembled into a portable book. Each board has up to twelve 1” size pictures. The pictures included have been carefully selected to help with personal care, activities of daily living and socializing. The written word, in large font, goes with each picture. On the back side of the pages is a template that you can personalize with your users’ favorites. Blank pages are provided so you can personalize the communication boards with your own pictures or photos “about me.” Introducing Picture Communication Following some simple guidelines will help the user communicate effectively with you, friends and caregivers. Review the vocabulary in the boards with the person using it. Go through and point to pages and pictures labeling them verbally as you do so. You may want to note how a particular picture stands for that vocabulary word. For example, the “coffee” symbol shows steam rising from a cup while the picture symbol for “tea” includes a teabag. Pointing out the specific categories will help orient the user to the daily situations when this book may be helpful. Continued inside back cover. Getting comfortable with the vocabulary and showing the use of the boards yourself will help your caree in using it most effectively as well as accepting it as a legitimate means to communicate. Ask the person who will be using the book if they would like a drink while pointing to the pictures related to drinks. Open the book to the breakfast page when asking “What would you like for breakfast?” Use the book yourself to communicate with your caree to model the behavior. Demonstrate the use of the book to close family, friends and caregivers. When others understand and model the use of the communication book, the possibility of successful communication increases. Role playing may help in use of the book, especially if your caree will be in situations where they will interact with less familiar individuals, such as a new caregiver or changing staff. Using a Communication Book The user does not have to be able to point to pictures themselves to use them to communicate. Consider other methods of using the pictures when an individual has difficulty pointing to them. For example, ask simple yes/no questions while pointing to a picture “Do you want your favorite flavor, chocolate?” Point to choices using the pictures and wait for a sign that you have a positive response. “Would you like some… tea…, coffee…, water…, something else?” If your caree does not have a reliable yes/no response, work to establish one. This may include showing a headshake, eye gaze or writing Yes/No. Functional sign language is also useful. Allow for the possibility that a picture for a specific choice or situation may not always be available. It is impossible for any communication aid to allow for every scenario that may arise. Work to set up a way for your user to show, “none of those choices”, “no picture for what I want.” Be sure to adapt the book to your user’s needs as they arise, for example, a new pet or leisure activity. With regular use, this communication book will become essential to everyday communication and will help users with speech and language challenges gain confidence in using words and pictures.

Sample Pages I Can Say it with Symbols Communication Book

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