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“Symbol Sets”
Mada Assistive Technology Center
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Symbol Sets
We look and use symbols in our everyday lives. Every day we encounter symbols which are used to
communicate and guide us, from emergency signage and symbols that are used to give directions, to
symbols used to depict bathroom facilities etc. One set of symbols that most of us use every day is text,
which qualifies as a symbol system because the letters of the alphabet only hold meaning to those who
have learnt to read that particular language. There is nothing in the letter C to say that it makes the
sound at the start of the word "cat", we only know that because we have learnt this link in English.
Symbol systems augment language and literacy and can often be vital learning and communication tools
for students with physical and communication difficulties. Such systems contain a variety of symbol
types.
There are symbols for common words and symbols that focus on a single concept. There are hundreds
of symbol sets to consider. Systems contain a variety of symbol types: Pictorial, Representational,
Pictorial to represent an abstract concept, and finally abstract symbols.
CAR
Pictorial
Symbols are usually
easily recognizable.
THIS
Representational
Images may need
explanation.
CHOOSE
Pictorial
Images that represent
an abstract concept.
IT
Abstract symbols
Some people are not able to understand photos or symbols. In this case objects that the person actually
uses will have to be used for communicative effect. As a person’s skills progress photos or symbols can
be affixed to the representative objects to help the student transition to a photo or symbol
representation. However after recognizing an object and understanding that a picture can represent
that object, many students are able to use a symbol- which they may be able to physically sign or use in
a communication book or with an electronic communication aid or eventually use in reading and writing
with a symbol based word processor.
Some students will find abstract symbols very difficult to understand, while others may need to use an
abstract symbol system to give them access to the vocabulary and grammatical structure that they
require. Potential symbol users may therefore need to be introduced gradually to new symbols before
they are expected to understand and use them independently.
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Symbol Hierarchy
(This hierarchy originally appeared in Mac Donald A. (1998) Symbol systems Augmentative
Communication in Practice – An Introduction. Revised Edition 1998)
Real objects
Tactile symbols/objects of reference
Photographs
Miniatures of real objects
Colored pictures
Line drawings – realistic
Line drawings- stylized
Written Words (completely abstract representation)
To determine which symbol set to use with a person at any given time is better done as part of a team
where all parties can contribute their observations and knowledge. Factors such as person’s visual and
motor skills, their memory and cognition must be considered before choosing a symbol set. It is also
important to bear in mind that the symbol set that is most appropriate for a person can change over
time. Other issues that need to be considered when choosing a symbol set:
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How transparent is the symbol?
How complex?
Does it allow for concrete as well as abstract concepts?
What is the degree of ambiguity?
How many messages does the symbol set allow?
What is the efficiency of communication allowed by the symbol set?
Examples of Symbol Sets
Widget Symbol set
This symbol set consists of over 10,000 colorful simply drawn symbols which each illustrate a single
concept. The symbols have been designed to support literacy. They are used in many countries
worldwide to support a variety of learners including students with special needs, early learners and
those who do not have English as a first language.
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To make the symbols easier to understand Widget has devised four levels into which symbols can be
categorized.
Recognizable symbols:
These symbols clearly illustrate the object or action they represent.
Learnable symbols:
These symbols need to be taught as it is difficult to guess their meaning from the symbol
alone. However many people with learning difficulties find these easier to remember than text alone.
Guessable symbols:
These symbols are fairly abstract but follow strict rules which allow the meaning to be guessed once the
rules have been learnt.
Abstract symbols
These symbols are the most difficult to work with and are difficult to recognize without first having been
taught the meaning.
Picture communicate Symbols (PCS)
PCS symbols are divided into sections: social, people, verbs, descriptive, nouns and food and leisure.
Tenses and auxiliary verbs (e.g. is, was) are not included.
Mayer Johnson have over 12,000 images in its PCS library . PCS are used in many of their products one
of the most commonly known is BoardMaker. Board Maker allows users to create a variety of
communication boards using PCS that can be printed out or used on a computer.
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PECS
Pecs is not a symbol set in itself but is a method of communication of handling a symbol to another
person to transmit a message. Pecs can be used with whatever symbol set that works for a student. It
was created by Frost and Bundy (1994) for use by children with a diagnosis of autism. It has a very
structured teaching protocol and recording method.
Makaton
Sleep sign
Sleep symbol
To eat
Makaton used speech with signs (gestures) and symbols (pictures) to help people communicate.
Makaton is particularly suited to people with cognitive impairments as most of the symbols are very
clear and easy to understand.
Tangible Symbols
Tangible symbols are objects or pictures that stand for or represent something about which we need to
communicate. Tangible systems may include: Whole objects, Parts of objects, Associated objects,
Textures or shapes, Line drawings and Photographs .Tangible symbols are often useful to use with
individuals of all ages who experience the following disabilities: Severe intellectual disability, Autism ,
Multiple disabilities . Tangible symbols are often the beginning step on the path to more conventional
AAC systems and symbol sets.
Bliss
This system designed by Charles Bliss contains symbols that are constructed from a number of basic
shapes called elements – arrows, lines etc. The system has the facility to produce grammatical sentences
and users can alter or add to the meaning of a symbol by adding small graphical punctuation symbols
Bliss language currently composed of over 4000 symbols. It has a grammar that allows for sentences in
the past, present and future. The system is used by people with severe speech and physical impairments
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but who are cognitively intact. It provides a far wider and more complex vocabulary than can be
provided in more pictorial systems. The above phrase shows how to say I want to go to the cinema.
There are other symbol sets such as Dynasyms which are preloaded on the Dynavox family of
communication devices. Another company called Prentke Romich Company produces their own symbol
sets called Minspeak.
Summary
We all use symbols to communicate in our everyday life and they enhance communication. Many people
would not be able to communicate at all without the use of symbols. Choosing the correct symbol set to
use with a particular client will be determined by many factors and needs of the client at that particular
point in time. There are a wide variety of symbol sets available and determining correct and appropriate
symbol set for a client is vital In order to have successful outcomes.
References
http://www.asha.org/NJC/faqs-aac-basics.htm
http://www.makaton.org/
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/acecent/html/res02.html
http://www.blissymbolics.org/pfw/
http://www.widgit.com/symbols/about_symbols/widgit_symbols.htm
http://atschool.eduweb.co.uk/acecent/html/res02.html
http://www.mayer-johnson.com/boardmaker-v-6
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