Symbol Systems & Visual Supports Flashcards

What is the key difference between a 'first-then' board and a full visual schedule?

Answer: A first-then board presents only two steps and is used to manage transitions or motivate task completion

A first-then board simplifies scheduling to two items (current task then preferred activity), making it ideal for transitions, task initiation, or individuals who cannot yet process longer sequences.

A practitioner notices a client consistently selects a symbol but does not achieve the intended communicative effect. This MOST likely indicates a problem with:

Answer: Symbol-referent correspondence or partner interpretation

When symbol selection does not achieve the desired communicative effect, the symbol-referent pairing may be unclear or partners may not correctly interpret the intended message.

Which evidence-based strategy involves arranging the environment so that a person MUST use their AAC symbol system to communicate a need?

Answer: Milieu teaching / communication temptation

Milieu teaching uses communication temptations—arranging the environment to create communicative need (e.g., placing a desired item out of reach) to prompt AAC use in natural contexts.

SymbolStix symbols are BEST characterized as:

Answer: Stylized stick figures in action poses that emphasize dynamic movement

SymbolStix uses stylized, elongated stick figures shown in active poses, designed to convey dynamic actions and social interactions clearly.

A social story combined with visual symbols is MOST commonly used to:

Answer: Pre-teach expected behaviors and social situations to reduce anxiety and increase understanding

Social stories with visual supports describe social situations and expected behaviors in advance, reducing anxiety and building understanding, particularly for individuals with ASD.

When selecting between color and black-and-white symbols for an AAC user, which factor is MOST critical?

Answer: The individual's visual discrimination ability and the evidence that color may aid recognition for some learners

Symbol format selection should be individualized, considering the user's visual discrimination skills and research showing color can support recognition for some learners while others perform equally well with black-and-white.

In partner-assisted scanning with symbol arrays, what is the PRIMARY role of the communication partner?

Answer: The partner points to or names items in sequence and the AAC user signals when their choice is highlighted

In partner-assisted scanning, the partner systematically scans through options while the AAC user uses a predetermined signal (eye gaze, vocalization, or movement) to indicate their selection.