Interdisciplinary approach

What is an interdisciplinary approach? Imagine the following:

William can't speak very well and he can't read or write alphabetical text. He communicates with his surroundings by typing symbols on a computer that is attached to his wheelchair. At school he learns how to write texts with symbols by means of an adapted keyboard and during sessios with his therapist, he learns to use symbols with the help of communication charts. Since William is bound to his wheelchair, playing with his brother and sister usually means he watches their games, or he is a passive player at most. But since a while, William has got his own computer game: symbol memory. The game is not only a way to expand his knowledge of symbols, it is also a great change in the way he relates to his environment. In stead of having to participate in other people's games, he can initiate his own game. And what is more, this game he is really good at, because symbols are his area of expertise.

A lot of people are concerned with the education of one symbol user (child or adult that uses symbols for his or her daily communication) and a lot of areas of expertise. Social workers, therapists, teachers and other professionals make materials for them and parents, caregivers or friends have to get used to a completely new way of communicating. Symbol for Windows has been designed to meet the needs of all these different people. In the case of William, for example, Symbol for Windows can be put to use in at least four different ways. It is litterally a complete solution when it comes to supported communication.

Because Symbol for Windows is so all-round, it is not necessary to purchase a new computerprogram for each separate task and learn how to use it. Most computerprograms have their own symbol system associated with the software, so the programs can't be used next to one another. With Symbol for Windows, the therapist can create charts with the same symbols that William learns how to use at school. And the selection sets on his Personal Communicator contain those same symbols.

The programs that are meant for William himself, can be easily adjusted by a parent or caregiver, using a special edit mode. And since Symbol for Windows has been cut up into different modules, only the part that is needed at home has to be purchased.

To find out more, choose a module from the menu on the left or click a subject in the chart on the homepage, or read the chapters about: