Aim: Blissymbolics (Bliss) is a graphic symbol system that allows for grammatically correct expressions and has an inbuilt system for the creation of new words (Jennische & Zetterlund, 2015). In has been less accessible for people using speech generating devices than for those using paper-based communication aids, as the symbol system is often not included from the manufacturers. In this presentation the process of translating a digital communication solution, the TD Snap, into Bliss symbols will be outlined, alongside an example of how Bliss users solve a communicative task.
Method: Examples of strategies and considerations when transforming a picture based communication solution into one using Bliss will be presented. Furthermore, a task from the Becoming an Aided Communicator (BAC) project will be presented (von Tetzchner, 2018). The BAC project involved children aged 5–15 years using aided communication. All participants were evaluated by their teachers and/or therapists as having normal cognition. Their language comprehension was assessed using standardized tests, such as Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test or British Picture Vocabulary Scale, depending upon availability of national norms, and Test for Reception of Grammar. Participants in this study are 80 aided communicators, mean age 11;1 years, of which 39 used picture-based symbol systems, 20 used Bliss or Minspeak, and 21 were spellers. The BAC task was to describe a video event to a communication partner who had not seen the same video.
Results: The On the BAC video event task, the three groups of aided communicators did not differ on the time they spent solving the tasks. The group using picture based communication systems solved 21 percent of the tasks, compared to 52 and 59 percent in the two other groups, respectively. Performance on the communication task was related to scores on a standardized tests of language comprehension
Conclusion: The findings from the BAC study highlights the importance of providing children using aided communication with symbol systems and communication solutions that promote linguistic awareness and offer the possibility to express themselves in grammatically correct multi-word utterances. As a consequence of the findings from the BAC study, the Blissgroup of ISAAC Norway has made an effort to translate a communication solution, the TD Snap, into Bliss, to make this solution more accessible for people using graphic symbols for communication.
References:
Jennische, M., & Zetterlund, M. (2015). Interpretation and construction of meaning of Bliss-words in children. Augmentative and alternative communication, 31(2), 97-107.
von Tetzchner, S. (2018). Introduction to the special issue on aided language processes, development, and use: an international perspective. Augmentative and Alternative Communication, 34(1), 1-15.
