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 Augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) 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 is used by t ...

(AAC) systems. These AAC systems may be high-tech, such as the TD Pilot, or low-tech such as a communication board. PCS symbols are now owned and maintained by Tobii Dynavox.

Symbols

Several studies have found PCS to be more transparent than other graphic symbols such as

Blissymbols Blissymbols or Blissymbolics is a constructed language 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 symb ...

. 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 Cognition is the "mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses". It encompasses all aspects of intellectual functions and processes such as: perception, attention, thought, ...

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 80,000+ symbols. PCS symbols have been translated to 40 different languages.PCS symbols are also used in the whole language instruction method. Common uses for the PCS symbol set include

speech therapy Speech is the use of the human voice as a medium for language. Spoken language combines vowel and consonant sounds to form units of meaning like words, which belong to a language's lexicon. There are many different intentional speech acts, suc ...

, picture schedules for people with

Autism Autism, also known as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by differences or difficulties in social communication and interaction, a preference for predictability and routine, sensory processing d ...

, and helping people facing limitations while hospitalized.

History

In the 1970s, Roxie Johnson a speech-language pathologist recognised the need for a set of picture symbols to help people with limited or no speech to use for communication. Johnson wrote the book "The picture communication symbols (PCS)" which included 700 picture symbols. Later in 1980s Johnson together with her husband, Terry Johnson started the Mayer-Johnson company. (Tobii Dynavox, 2024) For over 30 years,(PCS) picture communication symbols have been used by millions of children and adults to help understand the world around them, structure their thoughts and learn both to write and to read. The initial symbol set released in 1970s were line drawings representing a wide range of concepts, actions and objects. Easily recognizable and visually clear, available in books to be cut out, copied and used to support communication skills. Over time, the PCS set expanded significantly, by adding thousands of new symbols to cover a broader range of topics and vocabulary. PCS and Boardmaker gained popularity with language pathologists, therapists, special educators and parents. These actors started using PCS and boardmaker to create personalized communication boards, visual schedules, social stories, token economy systems, and other visual supports to aid individuals with special needs in learning and communication. As technology advanced, PCS and Boardmaker symbols transitioned from being primarily available in physical and printed form to digital formats. The digital versions allowed customization, easier sharing and integration with other software and devices used in special education and therapy settings.(Tobii Dynavox, 2024) However, Boardmaker has taken a step back in terms of integration. A physical CD is now required to run the Boardmaker program. PCS offerings continued to expand on Boardmaker as well as other software applications based on user feedback, new research and changing educational and communication needs. Tobii Dynavox states "The symbols have been revised and updated over the years to ensure relevance and usability".(Tobii Dynavox.com, n.d) As of April this year, 2024 there are over 79,000 Picture communication symbols available in a variety of languages.

Boardmaker

A drawing program with PCS is called ''Boardmaker''. Boardmaker was created by Mayer-Johnson LLC. The software was Initially developed for Apple

Macintosh Mac is a brand of personal computers designed and marketed by Apple Inc., Apple since 1984. The name is short for Macintosh (its official name until 1999), a reference to the McIntosh (apple), McIntosh apple. The current product lineup inclu ...

and later to

Microsoft Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...

. It started around late 1980s or early 1990s by the Johnson couple. There were many versions of Boardmaker for Mac & Win which include: * Version 1 for

(1994 - 2001) * Version 3 for

(1991 - 2004) * Version 5 for

(2001-2007) and

(2004-2008) * Version 6 for

(2007-current) and

(2008-2020) * Version 7 for Windows, Android, iOS (2020-current) There are many different versions of Boardmaker such as: * Boardmaker Plus * Boardmaker with SD Pro * Boardmaker Studio * Boardmaker 7

References

{{Reflist * Fuller, D., & Lloyd, L. (1991). Toward a common usage of iconicity terminology. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 7, 215–220. * Mizuko, M. (1987). Transparency and ease of learning of symbols represented by Blissymbols, PCS, and Picsyms. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 3, 129–136. in the 1800s. * Tobiidynavox (n.d). About Us. GoBoardmaker. Retrieved October 24,2024 * Tobii Dynavox (2024). The Story of Picture communications Symbols. Retrieved October 27, 2024 * Erickson, K. A., Hatch, P., & clendon, S. (2010) Literacy, assistive technology, and students with significant disabilities. Focus on exceptional Children, 42(5).

External links

Picture Communication Symbols (PCS)

LessonPix Educational Clip Art

Free White on Black Symbols
Auxiliary and educational artificial scripts Augmentative and alternative communication