ways of holding picture cards

Cat scratching posts are not just for scratching, they make great communication devices too! A carpeted cat scratching post can be used as a symbol holder during play in the sandbox. After you’re done, use a vacuum to clean the sand off. This device isn’t just for the sandbox. It’s also great during playtime on the floor.

Cat scratching posts are not just for scratching, they make great communication devices too! A carpeted cat scratching post can be used as a symbol holder during play in the sandbox. After you’re done, use a vacuum to clean the sand off. This device isn’t just for the sandbox. It’s also great during playtime on the floor.

Pringles Torengos (the potato chips) come in a triangular shaped can. After eating the tortilla chips and cleaning the can, take the label off. Cut a piece of self-stick felt (available at Michaels or AC Moore) to cover the outside of the can. You now have a communication device or choice board. Attach 2” communication symbols (made with Boardmaker software) with the Velcro (male side) on the back of the pictures and they will stick to the can. Because the can has 3 sides, you can have three sets of messages ready to view or choose from.

An eye gaze frame can be made with simple materials obtained at a hardware store. Buy three lengths of plumber’s pipe (PVC pipe) in whatever size you choose and however long you want it to be: 12—18 inches should be about right. Then purchase the equivalent elbow connectors that fit the size of pipe that you bought. Buy or make two blocks of wood about 3” by 5”. Purchase sticky back Velcro strips and cover the pieces of pipe with the fuzzy part of the Velcro. Hot glue two round pipe connectors to the wood base.

Since families often spend a large amount of time in the kitchen, the room serves as the activity center of the home. It is also a place where a child is likely to express wants and needs. Many kitchen activities offer children opportunities to communicate. These opportunities may arise during meal preparation, meal times, or snack times. Here is a simple idea for providing a convenient communication opportunity near the refrigerator.

Materials:

• Magnet backed coupon holder from a dollar store

The communication bib and bolo are simple items that a parent or service provider can wear to display symbols to use with a child to provide increased opportunities for communication.

Materials:

• 18” x 20” piece of Velcro sensitive material for bib
• 2” x 56” (or width of material) piece of Velcro sensitive material for bolo
• Several inches of hook style sticky back Velcro for bib and for backs of pictures, symbols or drawings
• Hot glue gun (in case adhesive on Velcro is not sufficient)

An easy waterproof communication board that can float in the pool, bath, or water table.

Materials:

• Foam garden kneeler (one with a cut out handle works best for the pool)
• Communication Board printed out on card stock
• Laminate or Con-Tact paper (Laminate holds up longer)
• Large baggie with zip lock seals (size needs to fit around the communication board)
• 2 sticky back Velcro strips (both hook and loop) cut to width of garden kneeler

Instructions:

The tabletop display is a simple presentation device that service providers can use to provide an accessible communication alternative. It is a small, four-sided display board that is made using a plastic grater.

Materials:

• Four-sided plastic or metal grater
• Velcro sensitive fabric
• Hot glue gun and glue stick
• Communication symbols
• Tag board and plastic laminating sheets
• Hook Velcro

Instructions:

To adapt the game Connect Four as a communication device, glue pictures or letters to both sides of the checkers and drop them into the frame. Just that easily you’ve made a communication board. It can also be used as an educational tool by gluing shapes, pictures or other identification symbols to the checkers and having a student or child line the pictures up into various categories (fruit, vegetables, animals, or textures, etc). The possibilities are nearly endless. You can configure it to suit each student’s need. If you need more disks, pick them up at the local toy store.

Insert photos, communication symbols or small objects into the frame and record a message to create an augmentative communication device. This enables students to participate in classroom discussions, answer questions or make choices.