Appendix 1: About symbols

Symbols

Symbol sets are collections of line drawings of words or concepts. Symbols differ from pictures or clip art in that they follow design rules in how they are drawn.

There are a number of different symbol setes available and all ahve strengths and weaknesses. It is worth spending time working out which set is most likely to met the needs of the learner and their environment. The Australian company Spectronics has produced a useful comparison of symbol sets which can be viewed on their website here.

The symbol sets most commonly used in the UK include:

• Makaton

• PCS™ (Picture Communication Symbols) - used in this guide

• SymbolStix

• Widgit

Some of the other symbol sets include:

• Bliss symbols

• Clarity symbols

• Pictogram symbols

There are also a number of freely available symbol sets.

Some of the symbol sets offer special symbols for people with visual difficulties.

When choosing a symbol set for use in the learner's communication book, it is important to take into account what symbols (if any) they are using elsewhere. For example, if they have an electronic communication aid or are using symbol-based software or apps, you may want to try and use the same symbols in their communication book. It may be worth checking with staff at an early years setting, school, college, day centre or similar environment that someone attends to find out if a symbol set is established there.

If possible, it is helpful to be consistent so that someone does not have to learn multiple symbol sets.