Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired
Outreach Programs
www.tsbvi.edu | 512-454-8631| 1100 W. 45th St. | Austin, Texas 78756
Title of Presentation: Using Tactile Symbols to
Enhance Communication
Presented by
David Wiley
Texas Deafblind Project
[email protected]
Developed for
Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Outreach Programs – www.tsbvi.edu/outreach
Communication Forms
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We all use many communication forms to get messages to and from other people.
Communication forms that you may use include speech, sign language, printed words, braille,
pictures, gestures, objects, etc. Tactile symbols are just another form.
We use different communication forms in different ways, and they have different strengths and
weaknesses.
Why use more than one form?
Different forms have different uses.
Dynamic forms
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Communication forms that are easily changeable, flexible, and immediately available.
Dynamic forms include speech, sign language, and gestures
Strengths
 Immediately available.
 Need no equipment.
 Unlimited topics.
 Flexible.
 Changeable.
Weaknesses
 Temporary.
 Can only be retrieved from memory.
 Hard to review.
 Easy to miss or misinterpret.
Static forms
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Communication forms that are tangible, and “stay put” for closer study or future reference.
Static forms include print, Braille, pictures, objects, tactile symbols
Strengths
 Can be checked for gaps and accuracy.
 Can for studied for more complete understanding.
 Can be kept for future reference
Weaknesses
 Harder to produce.
 Requires materials.
 More limited in topics.
 Can be limited to the original message.
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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Communication Forms
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You use both dynamic and static communication forms daily.
Every one needs both dynamic and static communication forms to use both expressively and
receptively.
For your student to be a complete communicator, you must consider both dynamic and static
communication forms.
What Are Tactile Symbols?
A static communication form that can be recognized by touch.
How do Tactile Symbols compare to other static communication forms?
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An alternative to Braille for people who do not read, or cannot easily recognize Braille letters
by touch.
A communication form that can be used like pictures for someone who has trouble seeing and
recognizing pictures.
A smaller, more flexible, and portable alternative to object communication symbols.
Tactile Symbols are a way for a teacher and his/her student who does not read
print or Braille, and who can’t easily see pictures, to “write things down”:
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to record messages for future reference;
to increase the student’s independence;
to reduce misunderstandings by facilitating study and reflection;
to encourage the student’s communicative expression.
In communication, more is better!
Tactile symbols shouldn’t be used instead of, but in addition to many other communication forms.
Does using multiple communication forms help learners?
Potential benefits of using presentation graphics include:
 Engaging multiple learning styles
 Increasing visual impact
 Improving audience focus
 Providing annotations and highlights
 Analyzing and synthesizing complexities…
Faculty Center for Teachng and Learning, University of Central Florida
www.fctl.ucf.edu/teachingandlearningresources/technology/index.php
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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Creating successful interactions.
The three basic components of communication must be working together:
Forms – How you communicate.
Functions – Why you communicate.
Topics – What you communicate about.
How to make the student value tactile symbols.
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Have a message that needs to be given or received.
Make sure the message is motivating and interesting to the student.
Use the symbols routinely.
Have a structure to organize the symbol use.
Make sure the message is accurate and reliable
Accurate and Reliable Messages
The need to: Predict
From ChangingMinds.org <http://changingminds.org/explanations/needs/prediction.htm>
One of the things we are constantly doing is predicting the future, whether it is the micropredictions of
movement or forecasts of what might happen next year.
To feel in control
 A basic need we have is for a sense of control. If we can predict what will happen, this gives us
a lot better chance to control things.
 If we do not know what will happen next then we cannot relax and must constantly be on the
lookout for danger.
To decide
 In our ruminating and decision-making we are constantly looking forward, trying to decide the
best course of action to achieve our goals and avoid potential discomforts.
 If we can predict accurately, then we will make good decisions and be successful in meeting
our goals and objectives.
Cause and effect
 Being able to predict is about connecting cause and effect. If we can connect the cause of
today to the effect of tomorrow, we can predict. And if we can create a chain of these, we can
predict what will happen next week.
 Being able to explain cause and effect meets yet another need and allows us to appear
rational to other people, thus appearing predictable (and hence meeting their needs for
prediction and control).
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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So What?
 Be predictable with other people and they will trust you and like you more easily.
 You can also be deliberately unpredictable to put them off balance, causing confusion that you
can then utilize.
 When people cannot predict and do not know what to do, they will look to other people. So
create a new situation for them, then show them what to do.
From ChangingMinds.org <http://changingminds.org/explanations/needs/prediction.htm>
Tactile Symbols: Where to Start
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Is your student familiar with symbolic communication?
Create recognizable and consistent activity routines which provide topics for conversation.
Create a schedule of activity routines that is motivating, interesting, and predictable.
Determine what you need to communicate about and create symbols accordingly.
Determine what you want need to communicate about...
You and your student might need symbols for:
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Activities / Actions.
Locations.
People.
Materials / objects / foods.
Time frames / days / months.
Emotions.
Tactile Symbols: Where to Start
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Is your student familiar with symbolic communication?
Create recognizable and consistent activity routines which provide topics for conversation.
Create a schedule of activity routines that is motivating, interesting, and predictable.
Determine what you want and need to communicate about and create symbols accordingly.
Create frameworks to routinely use the symbols.
The tactile symbols may be used to create and support:
o Calendars and datebooks.
o Choice menus.
o Lists.
o Step-by-step instructions / recipes.
o Experience / memory books.
o Timepieces.
Create consistent recognizable formats to organize, access, and transport the symbols
o Chart / board
o Sequence strip
o Box / tray
o Book / binder / album
o Wallet
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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To Succeed with Tactile Symbols:
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Use the symbols regularly, so they become second nature to the student and teacher.
It is easier to learn during routine situations, so don’t just use symbols during stressful or
confusing times.
Use symbols to assist during conversations, pairing them with other communication forms.
Find ways to give the student access to the symbols, for using them expressively and
receptively.
Reliably follow through on what is communicated, even if you must adjust your expectations.
When things change, explain changes to the student.
Would you ever look at a local events calendar to plan an outing for yourself,
family, or friends?
What would be your response if it was often wrong about what was happening, when, and where?
Suggestions for Making Symbols
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Standardizing symbols assist as students and staff/caregivers move from one setting to
another.
Because every student’s situation (activities, places, people, etc.) is different, symbols often
must be custom-made.
Plan time for symbols to be repaired or replaced.
Use materials that are easily found for replacement.
When possible, give the student responsibility for his or her symbols.
Some commonly needed materials
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Poster board
Velcro
Hot glue gun
Background textures.
Carpet remnants.
Resources
NCDB www.nationaldb.org
Follow links to Selected Topics: Communication, Symbolic; Calendar Systems; Tactile Learning
Project SALUTE: Successful Adaptations for Learning to Use Touch Effectively
http://projectsalute.net/
Resources
Blaha, R. (2001). Calendars: for students with multiple impairments including deafblindness. Austin,
TX: Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired. http://www.tsbvi.edu/curriculum-a-publications
Rowland, C., & Schweigert, P. (2000). Tangible symbol systems (2nd ed.). Portland, OR: Oregon
Health & Science University.
www.osepideasthatwork.org/toolkit/InstPract_tan_sym.asp
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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Texas School for the Blind & Visually Impaired
Outreach Program
1100 West 45th Street
Austin, TX 78756
"This project is supported by the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Special
Education Programs (OSEP). Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors and
do not necessarily represent the position of the U.S. Department of Education.
Figure 2 IDEA logo
TETN #13905 Using Tactile Symbols to Enhance Communication – Wiley – TSBVI Outreach Programs August, 2012
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