Once you have
selected the vocabulary for your student, the next decision is how to present
it. The following are ideas on how display vocabulary.
| Slot-filler Selection: Here choices
are presented on a piece of foam core board (available at discount stores and/or
picture framing places) to which a strip of velcro has been added. After
a choice is made, it can be added to the sentence displayed on a commercially
available velcro board. |
|
| File Folder Set-up: This display was created to keep students
from pulling symbols off. Windows are cut in a file folder such that they
are smaller than the symbols. |
|
Magnets: Magnetic sheets that can be inserted in your printer can be
found at most office supply stores. These stores also carry magnetic sheets
that can be attached to business cards. These can easily be cut to various
sizes. |
| Flashing Shingles in Picture Frames: Flashing shingles
can be found in the roofing departments of home improvement stores. Their
edges are sharp so they were inserted in old picture frames to prevent injury. |
|
Acrylic Photo Frames: Symbols were printed on colored index cards based
on the color-coding approach outlined by Goossens', Crain and Elder. They
were then inserted in plastic photo frames for use during activities such as mealtime.
The same symbol was printed on both sides of the card so the "speaker"
and "listener" both had the same frame of reference. |
| Vegetable Grater covered in velcro sensitive fabric. |
| Film Canisters: Many film developing places will give
these away for free. Add velcro to the symbol and canister to hold pictures
upright. |
| Acrylic Frames/Eye Gaze: Use double sided symbols. |
| Velcro sensitive products can be found at
Discount
School Supply. |
The Picture Exchange Communication System is referred
to as "PECS". This is a systematic method for teaching students to use
symbols to communicate. In the initial training stages, a symbol is exchanged
primarily to initiate a request. As training progresses, symbols can be exchanged
to make comments.
