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Picture Communication Boards

Picture communication can take many shapes, sizes, forms and degrees of complexity as there are students who use it.  Just a few examples:

• choice boards
• picture symbols on a ring for a belt loop
• planning book
• communication books custom designed for a particular student
• "I need help" symbol velcroed on a shelf
• communication board designed for a specific activity

It is important to know that the following terms are interchangeable: communication board, picture board, communication display, picture symbol display, etc.
For many more examples visit the visual supports section to view some ready made boards that can be downloaded today.

Single Message Speech Generating Device (SGD)

There are several different single message speech generating devices available.  Each has a recordable memory and holds one message at a time.  These devices can be used for a variety of communicative experiences.  A few examples throughout the PreK daily routine:

• joining in with the repetitive line of a familiar story/song, "E-I-E-I-O"
• requesting desired objects, foods, actions, etc., "more cookies!"
• directing the actions of others, "give me a hug"
• greetings, "good morning"
• student jobs, "clean up time, everybody clean up"
• taking messages to peers, adults, other locations in the school, "here's the attendance"
• social interaction, "my turn"

and there is SO MUCH MORE! Here is a list of 101+ Ideas for Using Single Message Devices, check it out. Really, I mean it... check it out! Download it! Post it in your classroom! It's excellent!

Sequence message SGD

Picture communication can take many shapes, sizes, forms and degrees of complexity as there are students who use it.  Just a few examples:

• choice boards
• picture symbols on a ring for a belt loop
• planning book
• communication books custom designed for a particular student
• "I need help" symbol velcroed on a shelf
• communication board designed for a specific activity

It is important to know that the following terms are interchangeable: communication board, picture board, communication display, picture symbol display, etc.
For many more examples visit the visual supports section to view some ready made boards that can be downloaded today.

Multi Message SGD (with levels)

The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) is a communication training system used to help children aquire functional communication skills with a social context.  Children using PECS are taught to give a picture of a desired item to a communicative partner in exchange for the item.  By doing so, the child initiates a communicative act for a concrete outcome.  For more information on using the PECS method in your classroom, contact the PreK SPED  Autism Support Teachers.

Dynamic Screen SGD

Dynamic refers to devices with a touch sensitive electronic surrface that changes with each touch.  The dynamic screen replaces the paper overlay and all vocabuary stored in "pages" that can be designed for a particular student.  The use of a dynamic screen device in a PreK SPED classroom requires the coordinated effort of the teacher, speech/language pathologist, PreK AT Team, family members, and occasionally the physical and occupational therapist.