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Supporting children
Helping children read and communicate
All children can benefit from additional support as they learn about their environment and adapt to a daily routine. For children with a reading or language difficulty, who can find it harder to communicate and access learning, additional support can be essential.
Widgit symbols can be used to support communication for routines, behaviour and new vocabulary to ensure that children have a voice and can access the world around them.
Widgit symbols are used in schools all over the country. We also provide a range of free and
low‑cost resources specially designed for parents to use at home.
More about symbols:
Success Stories
I would like to thank you and your team from the bottom of my heart. Your InPrint and SymWriter 2 have been life savers for my severely autistic son. The quality of life for our family is so much better.
From Linda, the mother of an autistic boy
I love this. What a great way to share the world with everyone. My grandson is autistic and pictures are a great way for he and I to communicate.
Just brilliant to recommend to schools and families who are on tight budgets.
I have been writing stories for him using symbols for a while and he loves them. I feel so proud of him when he tries to read them to me. He starts High School soon and symbols will be a big part of his learning and his communication.
Julie shared these stories with other children through symbolworld.org and our website.
At home, I found symbols invaluable in explaining to Andrew what we were doing, where we were going and, most importantly, how he should behave.
At school, symbols were used in all lessons to give instructions and provide explanations.
Andrew's mother
Symbols are also used to help children explain and communicate by choosing the relevant symbol, for example symbolised cards to answer the question, "How are you feeling today?"
From the Symbols Inclusion Project
Who symbols can help
Widgit uses symbols to support people who have communication, language or learning disabilities.
Find about who uses symbols
-
One in ten children struggle at school due to their communication difficulties (1)
- Only 20% of children with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) reach the expected levels for their age at 11 years old
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50 – 90% of children with persistent SLCN difficulties go on to have reading difficulties (3)
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Speech, language and communication needs are the most common type of special educational need (4)
Widgit Symbols add visual support to the printed word, opening up the world of information to those otherwise excluded from it.
Find out more about symbols
- Enhance access to learning
- Motivate communication
- Support behaviour and emotions
- Develop independence
- Improve confidence and
self-esteem
Create your own materials
InPrint 4Create symbol materials to print
Widgit symbols, along with the powerful features and freedom of layout of desktop publishing, help to create materials that have a professional look.
Widgit OnlineCreate symbol materials in your web browser.
Create symbol flashcards, timetables, stories and a lot more, with no installation needed.
Need help?
To discuss our software and services, please call 01926 333680, or email info@widgit.com
Fun and educational apps
Widgit GoWidgit Go is an app for creating activities and grids to support communication, learning and language development. Use it in the home, in the classroom or on the go.
Widgit VocabWidgit Vocab is a series of iPad apps designed to develop basic vocabulary. Widgit Vocab can help extend a user's vocabulary range with listening, speaking and reading activities.
App Bundles
Get the best deals with Widgit App Bundles
Need help?
To discuss our software and services, please call 01926 333680, or email info@widgit.com
Educational Symbol Resources
Symbols at Home
20 sets of flashcard files – ideal for parents, carers or childminders to use at home.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £10
Household Vocabulary
100 flashcards and 3 spelling activities covering household vocabulary.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £5
Behavioural Prompts
This pack of flashcards which support a range of situations in the learning environment.
For InPrint 3 or PDF, from £5
Need something else?
All our materials are developed in partnership with professionals. If you require a communication tool that fits your content and needs, please contact our Design Studio at symbols@widgit.com
Design Studio
Are your documents accessible to all your clients?
We can create accessible symbol information, tailored to your needs.
Our specialist design team will work in partnership with your organisation to produce symbolised materials that fit your individual requirements.
Bespoke service
We will consult with you throughout the design process to ensure that the end result is appropriate for the different needs of your client base.
Best practice
We can work with you to ensure "best practice" in symbol accessibility and suggest the most appropriate language for your information.
Meeting your responsibilities
An inclusive approach to the design of your product or service will help you to ensure compliance with current legislation on accessibility.
Design studio services include:
- Translating information into symbols
- Converting text to Easy Read
- Designing new symbols
- Developing resources and materials
- Providing advice and training
Get in touch
If you want help with accessibility or have an idea for a resource, please contact us.
For design services,
email
symbols@widgit.com
For copyright permission,
email
copyright@widgit.com