Picture Symbols and Social Scripting
Picture Labels Around the Gengras Center
The Gengras Center utilizes multi-modality instruction to improve our students’ learning and independence. The use of photographs, picture symbols, spoken words and written words is paramount in this effort. Students of all abilities benefit from opportunities to participate in activities at their current level and are exposed to more advanced levels furthering their development of language skills.
Daily Schedules: Daily schedules provide structure and routine improving students’ understanding of sequencing and time within the school day. A schedule can be made to reinforce basic sequencing, as well as a first/then format, telling time on digital or analog clocks.
Activity Walk: The Activity Walk, created by Cathy Wilkerson, M.S., CCC-SLP, ATP, is designed to appeal to a variety of learning abilities. Some students read the words; others rely on the pictures; others require the auditory cue that the AbleNet Talking Symbol provides. Pictures and symbols are moved and changed several times a year to increase students’ attention to the task and confirm their comprehension.
Labeling Locations: Pictures are usually paired with written words. Pictures, symbols, or photographs are used to aid students in increasing independence for navigating the classroom, school and college campus environments.
Picture Based Lessons: Pictures are the cornerstone for many lessons at the Gengras Center. Students benefit from learning new vocabulary words during science and social studies units when pictures and written words are provided. Functional lessons like cooking and math often utilize visuals. Pictures are incorporated into games like Bingo or Memory, and are used with adapted equipment like the All-Turn-It-Spinner to develop leisure skills.
Communication with Pictures and Words
Picture Exchange Communication System: Several students use PECS to interact with staff members and peers. Many students start with PECS as a basis to grow skills that later allow the utilization of Voice Output Communication Aids (VOCA). Important interactions like stating, “My turn,” “I want help please,” or saying, “I want to go to the bathroom” are paired with pictures to develop independence with these abilities.
Social Scripting: Social Stories similar to those credited to Carol Gray are used by many students. The level of language used in the story is modified to meet each individual student’s needs. The stories cover a wide range of topics for school, work and community events and situations.
Click on each title to view an example of each Social Script:
Bathroom Routine
Prom
Smoothies
Snowman Soup
Talking with Friends
Vacation
Vocational- Whole Day
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