Special Sub-Topic: Communication Continuum Click Here To Play: Communication Continuum

How many levels are there to the communication continuum?

3. There are three levels to the communication continuum. These are: Un-intentional or Pre-intentional communication which is when someone is doing something but it does not seem to have a definite communicative goal in mind. This is where the partner must assign a meaning to the communication. This is the stage which most young babies are at. An example of this is a child cries the parent thinks it are crying because it are hungry so gives it a bottle; it can also include looking at something you want but not looking at someone else to get it or do something about it. For instance you want music you know the music comes from the radio so you look at the radio but you do not look at a carer etc to do something to get the music. Intentional communication which is where someone will look at, point to or otherwise indicate they want something but it has to be in front of them and it has to be a concrete item. A person at this level will look or indicate to another person that they want something or want something done. With this level the partner must still assign a meaning but has some clues from what the person is doing An example of this is a child looks at a toy and then looks at you. You then get the toy and give it to the child. Another example of this is looking at the heater (you are cold and know that heat comes from it) and then looking at a carer - possible meanings for this are you want the heater turned on or you want to be moved closer Intentional-symbolic is where you use symbols to get a message across. The partner then just has to decode the message. This is where most people are. Types of symbols used could be object symbols, photographs, pictographs (line drawings), signs (hand/finger signs) or the written word.

You cannot change your communication level once you have reached the next stage (for instance you are intentional-symbolic so cannot revert back to intentional communication).

False. Most people change levels throughout the day. For example you may be able to read/write in a class but when you are standing at the counter at lunchtime the canteen person knows that you are waiting to be served through the action of waiting there. This is essentially intentional communication as you are simply you and have nothing else about you that saids "I am waiting to be served".

Any person who has reached the Intentional-symbolic communication level will be able to use the symbol which is of the most use to them immediately after being introduced to it.

False. This is a common misconception amongst the parents and carers of people who use symbols to communicate. The individual person who is communicating with symbols has to at least have a basic understanding of the symbol system they are using before using it to communicate with others. This takes time as does learning to speak.

Is the use of real objects part of the Intentional-symbolic communication level?

No. The use of real objects to represent what they are meant to represent (for instance a ball represents a ball) is part of the intentional communication level as it has not attained use as a symbol yet (eg a ball represents a game of catch).

An AAC device using symbols must use something like pictographs or words and letters.

False. An AAC device can use any symbol which is appropriate to the person who is using it. This can include object symbols, photographs, pictographs or words and letters. It can also be either a low tech or a high tech device. Devices used can be something as simple as a box with a divider in it with two separate object symbols in it or a computer generated device which speaks which has words and letters which a person can operate with a single switch. For more information about AAC devices you can search Independent Living Centres in your area.

Can a person who uses symbols to communicate use more than one set of symbols?

Yes. I personally have seen the use of pictographs and words in conjunction with each other to improve literacy of students at a Special School which I worked at. This strategy is also useful when the individual is in a transition phase between symbol systems. Most people do this anyway on their own, all you have to do to prove this is check out the forums on this page. There are a few posts which combine photographs with words to get a message across.

What type of symbols does Funtrivia use primarily to communicate to us?

words. This one should be easy. Although Funtrivia also uses pictures the main content of the communication on this site is through words.

Which of these people is in the Intentional-symbolic level of communication?

Alice has a box of objects which she gives to her carers when she wants something. Alice is the one who is using symbols to communicate as she she gives her carers objects when she wants something. These objects would be given in exchange of the object or activity she wants. They may be actual objects used in the process but they are still a symbol of an activity - for instance she may give her carers her goggles to indicate she wants to go swimming. This is similar to a system used with people with Autism called PECS which stands for Picture Exchange Communication System. Matthew is in the Intentional level of communication. He can indicate he wants something which is in front of him but it must still be an actual object. In this case it could be a toy train which is sitting on the floor. Belinda is in the Pre-intentional or un-intentional phase (the use of these terms will generally depend on whom you talk to) in that she is looking at the place her meal usually comes from (the microwave) which her carers take to mean that she wants her meal now. The carers' response to this is most likely going to be to put her meal in the microwave to cook it and then to give it to her.

Is it possible for a blind person to use symbolic communication?

Yes. Where most seeing people use printed letters or pictures as their primary symbols a blind person will use a system like Braille or tactile pictures to understand and convey a message. They can of course also hear.

Are sign languages and gestures considered symbols for communication?

Yes, both are. Although gestures may not have a definite structure like sigh language does they still get the message across. Some people actually use gestures which are unique to them to get a message across rather than an actual sign language.