Picture communication symbols
Encyclopedia
Picture Communication Symbols (PCS) are a set of colour and black & white drawings originally developed by Mayer-Johnson, LLC for use in augmentative and alternative communication
(AAC) systems. These AAC systems may be high-tech (Dynamyte) or low-tech such as a communication board.
Several studies have found PCS to be more transparent than other graphic symbols such as Blissymbols
(Mizuko, 1987). A graphic symbol is transparent if “the shape, motion, or function of the referent is depicted to such an extent that meaning of the symbol can be readily guessed in the absence of the referent” (Fuller & Lloyd, 1991, p.217). Because of high transparency, PCS symbols are easy to learn by children with little or no speech. Several studies have reported that children with cognitive disabilities learn PCS easily. The communication interventions for individuals who have little or no speech have used PCS successfully for individuals.
The PCS set comprises a core library of roughly 5,000 symbols, supplemented by general-purpose addendum libraries and country-specific libraries for a total of 12,000 symbols. PCS symbols have been translated to 40 different languages.
People can develop their own PCS for certain needs or if the needed symbol is not available. Some choose to start from scratch, and others start from alternative libraries.
Common uses for the PCS symbol set include Speech Therapy, Picture Schedules for people with Autism
, and helping people facing limitations while hospitalized.
Alternative Symbol Sources
Augmentative and alternative communication
Augmentative and alternative communication is an umbrella term that encompasses the communication methods used to supplement or replace speech or writing for those with impairments in the production or comprehension of spoken or written language...
(AAC) systems. These AAC systems may be high-tech (Dynamyte) or low-tech such as a communication board.
Several studies have found PCS to be more transparent than other graphic symbols such as Blissymbols
Blissymbols
Blissymbols or Blissymbolics was conceived as an ideographic writing system called Semantography consisting of several hundred basic symbols, each representing a concept, which can be composed together to generate new symbols that represent new concepts...
(Mizuko, 1987). A graphic symbol is transparent if “the shape, motion, or function of the referent is depicted to such an extent that meaning of the symbol can be readily guessed in the absence of the referent” (Fuller & Lloyd, 1991, p.217). Because of high transparency, PCS symbols are easy to learn by children with little or no speech. Several studies have reported that children with cognitive disabilities learn PCS easily. The communication interventions for individuals who have little or no speech have used PCS successfully for individuals.
The PCS set comprises a core library of roughly 5,000 symbols, supplemented by general-purpose addendum libraries and country-specific libraries for a total of 12,000 symbols. PCS symbols have been translated to 40 different languages.
Common uses for the PCS symbol set include Speech Therapy, Picture Schedules for people with Autism
Autism
Autism is a disorder of neural development characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, and by restricted and repetitive behavior. These signs all begin before a child is three years old. Autism affects information processing in the brain by altering how nerve cells and their...
, and helping people facing limitations while hospitalized.
External links
Alternative Symbol Sources