Core Skills Analysis
English (Language Arts)
The 15‑year‑old practiced exchanging picture cards using PECS and signing simple concepts with Signalong, actively constructing messages instead of relying on spoken language. By selecting and sequencing visual symbols, they demonstrated an understanding of syntax and semantics in a non‑verbal format. The student also reflected on the clarity of their messages, gaining insight into audience awareness and purposeful communication. This activity reinforced reading symbols, interpreting meaning, and expressing ideas deliberately.
Art & Design
The learner created and arranged personalized picture cards, choosing images, colors, and layouts that best represented their intended messages. Through this visual design process, they explored concepts of symbolism, visual hierarchy, and effective illustration. The student evaluated how design choices impacted the ease of interpretation by peers and adults. This hands‑on work cultivated both aesthetic judgment and functional graphic communication skills.
Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education (PSHE)
The teenager engaged in collaborative exchanges, negotiating meanings and responding to partners using PECS and Signalong, which fostered empathy and social confidence. They practiced turn‑taking, active listening, and interpreting non‑verbal cues, thereby strengthening interpersonal relationships. The activity highlighted the importance of inclusive communication strategies for diverse abilities. As a result, the student demonstrated increased self‑advocacy and respect for alternative communication methods.
Design & Technology
The student assembled durable communication cards, selecting appropriate materials (laminated paper, Velcro) and testing different attachment methods for ease of use. They evaluated the functional requirements of the system, such as portability and durability, and refined prototypes based on feedback. This iterative design process cultivated problem‑solving, planning, and evaluation skills. The activity linked practical engineering concepts to real‑world accessibility needs.
Tips
To deepen the learning, have the student keep a daily communication journal documenting the symbols or signs used and the outcomes, then review patterns for clarity. Organise a peer‑teaching session where the teen demonstrates PECS and Signalong basics to younger siblings or classmates, reinforcing mastery through teaching. Introduce a story‑building workshop where picture cards are sequenced to create narrative comics, merging language arts with visual storytelling. Finally, partner with a local speech‑language therapist for a workshop on expanding vocabulary within the PECS system, encouraging progressive language development.
Book Recommendations
- Sign Language: A Beginner's Guide by David L. N. Smith: An accessible introduction to British Sign Language and Signalong, with clear illustrations and practice activities perfect for teens exploring visual communication.
- The Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS) Handbook by Andrea B. O'Reilly: A step‑by‑step guide to using PECS, featuring real‑world case studies, design tips for custom cards, and strategies for expanding language skills.
- The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon: A novel told through the perspective of a neurodivergent teen, illustrating alternative ways of perceiving and communicating with the world.
Learning Standards
- National Curriculum English Key Stage 3: 1.1 – Communicate ideas and information clearly, using a range of forms and media.
- National Curriculum PSHE Key Stage 3: 2.1 – Develop effective interpersonal skills and respect for diversity in communication.
- National Curriculum Art and Design Key Stage 3: 3.2 – Use visual elements to convey meaning and purpose.
- National Curriculum Design & Technology Key Stage 3: 4.3 – Plan, create and evaluate designed solutions using appropriate tools and materials.
Try This Next
- Design a "Communication Card Blueprint" worksheet where the student sketches, labels, and plans a new set of picture cards for a chosen topic.
- Create a quiz with scenario‑based questions: "Which sign or picture would you use to request a break?" to test understanding of context‑appropriate symbols.
- Write a short diary entry from the viewpoint of the card, describing a day in the life of a PECS communication tool.
- Record a short video demonstration of a full PECS exchange, then pause for peers to predict the next sign or picture.