Unlocking Communication for All: Speech Generating App, Expressive Go is Now 100% Free

Unlocking Communication for All: Speech Generating App, Expressive Go is Now 100% Free In a groundbreaking move to ensure everyone has access to the tools they need to communicate, Expressive Go, the revolutionary Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) app is now [...]

Why Every Elementary School Teacher needs access to Visual Support

Visual support uses visual items like pictures and signs to enhance communication, especially in education settings. Many people, including 65% of the population, benefit from visual aids in learning. These aids assist in clarifying instructions, supporting dyslexic students, and elucidating language nuances. Tools like Smarty Symbols offer a vast array of images for teachers, fostering a richer, more inclusive learning environment.

Using symbol support with adults with acquired communication difficulties

This blog post explores the challenges faced by adults with acquired communication difficulties post life-altering events, and emphasizes the crucial role of enhanced communication methods. We delve into the significance of alternative communication modes and specifically highlight the convenience and effectiveness of picture symbols like Smarty Symbols. Uncover how these meticulously designed images can aid in expressing needs and desires, facilitating seamless communication with family members and hospital staff. Discover the power of customization that Smarty Symbols offer, allowing for personalized communication boards that cater to individual needs, thereby easing the journey through these challenging times.

Introducing the “University Access Program”: Pioneering the Future of Inclusive Communication and Education

Introducing the "University Access Program": Pioneering the Future of Inclusive Communication and Education Smarty Symbols introduces the "University Access Program" to empower the next generation of educators and therapists. The program offers free access to its comprehensive resources, aiming to champion [...]

What are the benefits of a playground communication board?

What are the benefits of a playground communication board? Playgrounds offer crucial opportunities for children's overall development, especially in communication. For non-verbal children, the introduction of public display communication boards ensures they can engage in interactive play. These boards, aptly named [...]

How to create a custom playground communication board

What is a playground communication board? Playground communication boards are innovative tools designed to foster inclusion and enhanced communication in public spaces like parks, museums, and beaches. Utilizing pictorial symbols on durable materials, these boards can be tailored to specific locations, [...]

36 Location Board with Smarty Symbols: Free Download

Dive into the vibrant world of communication with our FREE 36 Location Board, enriched with the beloved Smarty Symbols imagery. Don't miss out on this unique tool, designed to amplify voices and bridge communication gaps. Download now and explore the power of core vocabulary, Smarty Symbols style!

Free Core Board Download

Discover our FREE Core Vocabulary Visual Support featuring Smarty Symbols! A versatile tool designed to boost communication effectiveness, it's easy to download, print, and use right away. Plus, learn how to customize your own core boards with our extensive library of over 31,000 images. Empower your communication journey today

Speak for Yourself updated symbols key

Dive into the world of augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) with our comprehensive guide to using the Smarty Symbols library on the Speak for Yourself iPad app. We offer a helpful PDF, showing you how to leverage this tool for impactful communication support. Explore key differences in symbol naming and updates, ensuring a seamless experience as you search and utilize the symbols within our ever-evolving library. Your journey to enhanced communication starts here.

Make Your Mark on TPT: Essential Tips for a Thriving Store

Make Your Mark on TPT: Essential Tips for a Thriving Store Stepping into the world of Teachers Pay Teachers (TPT) can be both exciting and overwhelming. With a sea of educators sharing their resources, how do you make your store stand [...]

What are Social Stories and How They Can Help Autistic Children

What are Social Stories and How They Can Help Autistic Children For many children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), understanding and navigating the world can be a challenge. One effective method to bridge this gap is through the use of social [...]

The Best Activity to Target Every Goal on Your Caseload

The Best Activity to Target Every Goal on Your Caseload The landscape of speech therapy often presents with mixed groups and varying goals. One potent tool Jill Shook recommends to effectively target each objective is the use of interactive books. Incorporating [...]

Who is Kristine Lindsay

Meet one of our TPT Authors Partners Meet Kristine, a passionate preschool Speech-Language Pathologist (SLP) with a decade of experience. Based in New Jersey, Kristine is not just an SLP but also a dedicated mother, blogger, and creator of teaching resources. [...]

Ataxia and Communication

Ataxia and Communication Ataxia, a term perhaps unfamiliar to many, is a medical condition that poses significant challenges to muscle control, affecting not just physical mobility but speech as well. As we delve deeper into the intricacies of this disorder, it [...]

CORE VOCABULARY: They are no little things

CORE VOCABULARY: They are no little things Language, in all its intricate beauty, is a tapestry woven with words of various lengths, complexities, and meanings. Bruce Barton once profoundly noted that sometimes the smallest things have the most significant consequences, hinting [...]

Do Kids With Autism Really Need Routines?

Do Kids with Autism Really Need a Routine? In today's understanding of neurodiversity, recognizing the unique needs and strengths of individuals with autism has never been more crucial. Central to this understanding is the profound role routines play in fostering a [...]

WIL AAC HINDER SPEECH? Separating Myths from Truths

WIL AAC HINDER SPEECH? Separating Myths from Truths In the vast ocean of information surrounding communication methods, it's easy to get swept up in myths—especially when it comes to Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC). Popular misconceptions might suggest that AAC hinders [...]

Finding Their Voice: The Role of AAC in Overcoming Communication Barriers

Finding Their Voice: The Role of AAC in Overcoming Communication Barriers Communication is often taken for granted, but for many, the gift of words isn't as accessible. Maya Angelou, who herself experienced a silent phase in her childhood, understood the power [...]

The female representation in symbol support for Autism

The female representation in symbol support for Autism In the realm of special education, symbol support plays a crucial role in aiding students with special needs to learn, communicate, and navigate daily tasks. For years, these symbols have predominantly been represented [...]

End the School Year on the Right Note

Has it been a rough year? Did not everything go quite as planned? Not to worry because I’m sure you’ve hear the expression: “It’s not about how you start its how you finish.” Memory is a funny thing and sometimes we remember just how things ended so much more clearly than how they began. Now is a moment that you can connect on a deeper level for one last time with students, teachers, parents by recognizing the best in them . Symbolic Certificates of Positive Qualities— It doesn’t matter how young or old you are, we all like to know what people like about us. I’vs seen variations of this activity work well with elementary, middle school and High school students; I’ve even seen it work with college students (really they can eat it up just like they were 5 again)

How to Create a Custom Board Game

Who hates hearing someone say, “I’m bored”? it’s even worse in a group setting like a classroom, because attitudes can be contagious. Whether it’s adults or kids if one person starts complaining, soon you won’t have enough cheese to go around for all that “whine”. But seriously, our board games are simply divine. Wait…I mean your board games, because really it’s you who needs to create them, but we’ve got the perfect template and enormous amount of great symbols to fill the content. If you haven’t used Smarty Symbols “board game” template then…. YOU’RE MISSING OUT! Just click on the “printing center” button on the top blue bar. It will bring you to a new menu where you will select “from template”; find the “board game” template and press “apply”. You’re all set to create a masterpiece. We’ve got some great ideas to get you started:

Happy Mother’s day from Smarty Symbols – Free Mother’s Day Card Template

Happy Mother's day from Smarty Symbols - Free Mother's Day Card Template Mother's Day is not just about celebrating biological mothers. It's a time to recognize, remember, and cherish the memories, lessons, and qualities of motherly figures in our lives. Smarty [...]

The Magic of Bingo in Learning: Ideas In the Classroom & at Home – Free Download

I know how you’re feeling: The kids they need a day off (or is it you?), or they just need to have some fun with what they’re working on, but they still need to be learning something. We have just what you need: and Bingo is its Name-O Smarty Symbols has a built in Bingo Template in the “Printing Center” It’s really easy to use, and an awesome tool for any parent, teacher, SLP, or someone who just needs an activity for an event. Just click on the “printing center” button on the top blue bar. It will bring you to a new menu where you will select “from template”; find the “bingo” template and press “apply”. Now its just up to your imagination… but if your imagination is struggling we’ve decided to give you a few ideas:

Free downloads of classroom signs

We all love free classroom materials. That's why we took the time today to have some fun and spend some time on keynote creating some awesome classroom signs for you. You can download any or all of these signs in a variety of formats or even as images. If you are feeling inspired like we were today, you can even use some of the files we have provided as a basis in which you create modifications that would fit your needs better. For example, you can use the "computer lab" sign and replace it with " We are in recess" and replace the picture with our recess image.The power point or keynote file give you the freedom to modify and create a whole new sign.

Optimizing Your Search: A Guide to Locating Images on Smarty Symbols Studio

Optimizing Your Search: A Guide to Locating Images on Smarty Symbols Studio Navigating a vast library like Smarty Symbols Studio can be a daunting task. However, with the right approach, you can swiftly and accurately find the images you need. This [...]

Enhancing Communication for Autistic Individuals through Visual Support

Using Visual Support to help Autistic Individuals Visual supports have long been recognized as a powerful tool for assisting individuals with autism in better navigating and understanding their environment. Given that many on the autism spectrum are visual thinkers, employing pictorial [...]

Smarty Symbols brings multi-characters representation to visual support and AAC

Smarty Symbols brings multi-characters representation to visual supports and AAC In a world where representation and inclusivity are paramount, visual communication plays a critical role in bridging understanding. Since its inception, Smarty Symbols has been championing this cause, continually seeking ways [...]

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