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Tell us your Widgit Story...The results are in

Tell us your Widgit Story...The results are in

We were overwhelmed by the hundreds of amazing stories submitted for Widgit’s 40th Birthday competition, so much so, that we found it difficult to pick just 40 winners.

So, to celebrate World Kindness Day we have decided to give away 80 Playground Boards instead!

All entrants will be emailed competition results on or before the 13th of November.

We’ve also picked out a selection of inspiring stories which we’d like to share with you:

Widgit opened up his world
by Alison Stewart Read Full Story...

Our first piece of Widgit software was purchased with a donation from a happy parent, whose child we had supported during her time with us in nursery school. How I wish that little girl had had the opportunity to benefit from this incredible gift herself, but the number of children who have benefitted since is heartwarming.

We now have the online version of Widgit and in all of our three classrooms from babies, to toddlers to nursery school we have Widgit symbols; from picture cards worn on the lanyards of our staff team, to adaptive books, to visual timetables to communication boards, the difference it has made is wonderful.

My favourite story is of a little pre-verbal boy age 3 who joined our nursery school class. One day he was introduced to Widgit symbols in the form of colourful semantics. In minutes he understood the concept and began to create sentence stories using the symbols. He had a voice and he showed us his understanding and imagination. His smile spread from ear to ear and his mother when we told her was flabbergasted.

Widgit symbols showed us far beyond anything else how intelligent he was and gave us a key to extend his communication and open up his world.
Widgit has given our children a voice
by The Nest Read Full Story...

We are a specialist nursery setting and therapy provision for children aged 0-5 years. When children first start their journey with us the very first thing we do is sit down with families and get key information on how their child is communicating.

We typically work with preverbal or non-speaking children and Widgit has been vital in giving our children a voice. After our first meeting we ensure that we provide children and families with communication supports so that their children finally have a voice.

To us this means what they want, what they don't want, what they can see, what they can hear and what they feel. Widgit is part of our every day in the Nest and without it our children would be in a very different place.

M's story

M started with us after accessing a mainstream setting and had experienced trauma here. He needed to trust us before we could even work on communication. The first thing we enabled M to do was to communicate no and I don't like it through visuals.

Once he learnt that we respected his right to say no he very slowly started to trust us. We started off with glancing toward a visual to make a request or to share a feeling. This progressed to pointing relatively quickly and before we knew it he was using communication boards to make his needs known. He started to use these at home and life became easier for his family as meltdowns started to reduce and he could finally communicate.

We continued on this journey moving on to a communication book. Our M found his voice in the Nest and this would not have been possible without Widgit.

F's story

I started to work with F when she was only naming single items and not using communication fully functionally. F did not understand how to communicate yet and spent her time labelling items and becoming very distressed.

We realised F was using certain learnt phrases such as "uh oh" when she wanted something to end. Widgits flexibility meant that we could add this to a communication board so that F consistently was able to communicate finished.

We visually showed her on a board how to use the word finished and she very quickly replaced uh oh with finished that became a functional word others could understand. As we continued through therapy F started to visually see how a communicative exchange happened as she pointed to visuals and soon after added the single words.

We very quickly moved on to structuring sentences visually and in 12 months F's language went from single word labelling to full sentences. F uses Widgit in school with the school signing up after seeing how effective it was in our therapy sessions. F has access to her visual voice for every lesson/session now particularly when we are introducing new topics or words. Fs parents are in awe of her progress and this would not have been possible without Widgit. Widgit plays such a huge part of our every day in our Nest and therapy company. It enables us in training to show parents and practitioners the impact of visuals on language and communication development. For us, Widgit forms part of the curriculum, and the Nest is not the nest without it. Our children would not have a voice without it. Our children would not understand without it. Widgit genuinely has changed the lives of so many children that pass through the Nest and were forever grateful we came across this software.
Empowering our students and creating an inclusive environment
by Katie Viola Read Full Story...

On my appointment to our small primary school, we embarked on a journey to transform the lives of our remarkable students, especially those with Special Educational Needs (SEN) and Education, Health, and Care Plans (EHCPs).

Our school had a 35% enrolment of students with SEN and a 12% representation of those with EHCPs. It was a significant challenge, but we were determined to make a difference. My role as the school's Special Educational Needs and Disabilities Coordinator (SENDCo) became a beacon of hope for these young minds.

We knew we needed innovative tools and resources to support our mission, and that's when we discovered Widgit. Widgit became an invaluable part of our journey towards creating an inclusive and supportive environment for our students.

The symbol communication resources from Widgit allowed us to bridge the communication gap for our children with various needs. These symbols were not just pictures; they were keys to unlocking their potential.

Our classrooms came alive with vibrant symbols that helped our students comprehend complex ideas. Math became less daunting, science more accessible, and literacy a thrilling adventure. But it wasn't just about academics. These symbols fostered inclusivity and understanding among all students, reinforcing a sense of togetherness.

One of the most inspiring moments came when a non-verbal student, who had struggled to communicate for years, started using Widgit symbols to express themselves. Tears of joy were shed as we witnessed their newfound ability to convey their thoughts, emotions, and desires. It was a small step for many but a giant leap for that one child.

Widgit became an integral part of our daily routine, and our children thrived. It wasn't just about teaching; it was about empowering our students to be the best versions of themselves. The playground became a place of shared laughter, where friendships blossomed with the help of symbol communication.

As the World Kindness Day approached, we couldn't help but reflect on how far we'd come. Our students had grown not only academically but also as individuals who understood the importance of empathy and acceptance. Now, as we enter the competition to celebrate Widgit's 40th Birthday, we know that our story is a testament to the profound impact symbol communication has had on our school community. It has been a lifeline for our most vulnerable students, giving them a voice and an opportunity to shine.

Winning one of the 40 symbol playground boards would be a dream come true. It would further enhance our inclusive playground and provide more opportunities for our children to interact, learn, and grow together. This competition isn't just about winning a prize; it's about recognizing the power of symbol communication in transforming lives. It's about celebrating the progress we've made in supporting our students, and it's about spreading kindness and inclusivity.

As we eagerly await the results on World Kindness Day, we hope that our Widgit story serves as an inspiration to others, reminding them that even the smallest changes can make the biggest difference in the lives of our children.
Changing children’s lives
by Philip Crammond Read Full Story...

Widgit delights me every day. Being able to help children communicate is one of the most special things you can do as a teacher.

I have used this software and the symbols in so many ways that have changed children's lives. However there are two moments that stand out for me.

When trying to help a severely autistic child understand that it was worth asking an adult something I just could not get him interested in initiating any interaction at all. He just did not see others as being able to do anything for him, so there was no reason for him to communicate with us. One day we were in the swimming pool and for some reason one of the symbols must have been stuck to me as it floated to the top of the water. This child saw the symbol (which was to ask for a tickle), picked it up and gave it to me. I gave him a tickle, and put the symbol back on the water. He picked it up and handed it to me again, and got another tickle. Seeing the realisation on his face that this "process" actually worked ANYWHERE and would give him the power to ask for something that he liked was one of the highlights of my life. From that moment on he wanted to communicate.

A different child was pre verbal and not interacting with those around her. One day I felt her tugging at my symbol fan hanging from my belt. I looked at her and she was pointing to the soft play area. She asked to go to the soft play area by herself! It was just amazing. She zoomed along with this as we produced more symbols. Her mum was worried that she "wouldn’t be able to do it properly at home" and was semi reluctant to use them. After a few days we sent some symbols home to try. The very first symbol the child used and took to her mother was to ask for a hug. Just imagine what that would have felt like for her mother, to have the very first communication from her daughter to be something as lovely as a hug. That single interaction made mum see a completely new side to her own child.

Without Widgit moments of life like this just would not happen.
The positive impact of building his confidence again
by Caroline Read Full Story...

As a parent of a nonverbal child, discovering Widgit symbols has had such a positive impact on our lives.

I have used them to support communication since he was little. Everything from flash cards, time tables and social stories to creating a fully inclusive birthday party invitations for his friends and much more.

My most memorable use of Widgits was creating a very special social story. My son has always loved going in the hydro pool at his school but sadly one day he had a seizure during one of his hydro sessions.

He recovered well and was fine but it left him in fear of going back in the pool for some weeks which was heartbreaking. It was one of his favourite activities. I used the Widgits online to create a special story with the aim of building his confidence again and reassure him.

It was so easy to do and with the help of the wonderfully clear symbols available together with the patience and support of the dedicated staff at his school we were able to get him back in the pool. Now a long forgotten episode for him, he is back loving hydro as much as he always did.

His grateful mum however will always remember your help. Thank you!
We have found the language our son speaks
by Christa Mahana Read Full Story...

Widgit symbols have revolutionized our lives, and given our son Jesse a voice.

Jesse is very minimally speaking, only using a few mouth words but he has SO much to say and Widgits have made this possible for him.

Before we discovered Widgit symbols he wasn't really able to express himself, or make choices and it very much felt like life was just happening around him without him really able to contribute his wishes or thoughts.

He has the most wonderful big brother who has always tried so hard to engage with him but it wasn't until we started using symbols that this breakthrough came for them. We started with just paper print outs of Widgit symbols for some of our daily routines, and then broadened out to foods, toys, games etc.

Almost immediately it was as if we found the language that Jesse speaks. He showed indescribable excitement at being able to make clear choices and seeing the real life implications of choosing a symbol and then that translating into the adults making his request a reality.

We then got an AAC device for Jesse so he can use his tablet to help to express himself and he absolutely loves using it, and his sense of humour has really become so evident - he is a really cheeky chap!

The most precious part for me is to see the love and interaction that takes place between my two boys, they play and make jokes together through Widgit symbols and has transformed the way we relate to each other.

Jesse has just started school and uses a low tech communication books with symbols in and his high tech AAC daily at school. To have a board like this in the playground would be amazing to encourage other children to interact with Jesse in this way and would revolutionize playtime for him!
Widgit has given her the tools to communicate
by Cath Read Full Story...

Ten years ago we had a class of six ASD children, three girls and three boys. Two of the little girls used to come to school beautifully dressed and with wonderful hair styles. The third little girl who we will refer to as K was minimally verbal and only used words to label some objects. This meant that she faced great challenges with communicating more complex thoughts.

As the Autumn term progressed we found K was coming to school more and more distressed each morning and not able to learn or play due to dysregulation. Much of the time K refused to enter or stay in the classroom.

K was very familiar with using a visually supported communication system but each morning she would throw her book to the ground in frustration. One day we observed K attempting to brush her hair with a dolls brush in the playground and we had an idea.

We logged on to Widgit Online and browsed through all the images relating to personal care and appearance. We found all the suitable images and changed some of the wording. With her parent's consent created a personal book for K.

This book opened up a whole new world for K, she was able to request that someone brushed her hair, and even what colour and style hair accessory she wanted eg red aliceband or blue bobble. K was able to communicate that she wanted a flannel to wash her face.

K came to school daily in non-uniform and using Widgit symbols she was able to ask for school uniform which we always had ready for her. Her parent's explained that due to her ASD K always wanted to be dressed the same as her siblings when leaving home each morning but wanted to be like her peers in school.

The impact that Widgit had on K was invaluable, it gave her the tool to communicate her thoughts and wishes.

K soon settled into the routine of class and each morning, and once she felt ready she was able to join her class ready to learn. K's new book full of Widgit symbols enabled her to have meaningful input in her appearance and it was obvious to all at school that this had a positive impact on her emotional wellbeing and ability to engage with her peers.

Parents were kept fully informed on the situation and they subscribed to Widgit which benefited K immensely.

I have many, many stories of how Widgit has benefited the children I have worked with for over 20 years but this story is my most memorable and never fails to bring a smile to my face whenever I recall the memory.

Thank you Widgit :)
The look on his face was a picture he's never looked back
by Claire Gibbons Read Full Story...

I supported a boy with autism who attended main stream primary but his needs where more complex. He was non-verbal and had a diet of Weetabix and yoghurts. The sight of food, even through play would send him into a meltdown.

I had made numerous Widgit boards for a lot of things to support him through his day. One being different foods, lunchtime support and his lunchtime routine. He went through to the lunch hall using his food communication board daily but could not tolerate looking at the food.

Then on one particular day we got his food board and went to the lunch hall. He had a look at the menu and choose a breakfast themed lunch. He sat and cut up his food and licked some foods. He sat for a good 20mins. Then wanted to go back for his Weetabix.

The next few days was somewhat the same. Chose some food, cut it up and licked it. Until it was pizza. He cut it up and ate some! The look on his face was a picture. You could see the different senses he was experiencing on his face. It was amazing. Since then he has never looked back.

He has his favourites and still experiencing new flavours. Some days and good and some are tricky but with the use of his Widgit Communication boards he is able to express what he wants and explore different foods.

Myself and my other colleagues are very proud of him xx
He found his voice by using symbols
by Adele S Read Full Story...

I had a child join part way through the year last year. They had been a child missing in education for 6 months. Prior to that they had attended a school outside of county but had only ever managed two hours per day so had never completed a full day of school before arriving to us.

He was also on a child protection plan so even more important for us to help him find his voice. He could say some single words but not clearly and staff really struggled to understand him and he struggled to communicate his needs.

The first day he arrived to us we had no idea of his needs or background. Within the first hour we realised his needs were significant and far greater than his carers' paperwork had indicated. He was getting so upset and frustrated that he wasn’t understood.

So after checking on him in his year 2 classroom, I ran to my computer. I had to very quickly create and print him some communication boards. I used one of the templates to make it extra quick. I did a needs board eg water, toilet, jumper, movement break, quiet time etc and I printed a second board with his feelings such as hot, hungry, tired etc.

Because it is such an easy site to use, I had these resources in front of him on his desk within the hour. He completed his first ever full day in education that day, he pointed to the pictures to communicate with the children on his table and made his first ever friend!

It was honestly the most wonderful thing I have seen. He was so brave, being in a school for a full day having been moved to the area days before and having been out of education so long.

He was amazing! He did a full day and it was his communication boards quickly thrust in front of him that made that all possible for him!
Widgit has absolutely changed his life
by Samantha Browning Read Full Story...

I want to tell you about how Widgit has changed a young boy's life.

In September 2021, I started to support a 5 year old boy who has ASC and was non-verbal. From his assessments in EYFS, it showed very little progress. I was told he didn’t understand visuals and was unable to communicate his needs effectively.

However, as his teaching assistant, I ensured he was exposed daily to a consistent range of visuals from Widgit. Slowly, but surely, he started to understand the connection between his wants and the visuals.

As his confidence grew, I was able to quickly produce visuals from Widgit to support the learning in class. This meant he was able to access the learning like never before.

I was lucky enough to continue to support him into year 2, where I was finding keeping up with the production of visuals for his needs very challenging. So, with agreement from his parents, we introduced him to the Widgit app. This app has absolutely changed his life. He navigates the pages with ease and is now able to communicate in sentences.

Support staff can add and take visuals away quickly and it can be updated to meet his learning needs. He can now express his feelings, greet adults as well as request his wants and needs. The visuals on the app also support his verbal development.

I no longer support him, but to me, this is an incredible achievement for him to be able to build relationships and express himself independently. Well done little one, I’m so proud of you and thanks Widgit for your life changing communication supports. Without you, he would not be where he is now.
Discovering Widgit Online changed everything
by Karen Brownhill Read Full Story...

I was given the role of Communication Practitioner at the Special School where I have worked for over 20 years. Previously I had been a Teaching Assistant at the school but because of the communication needs of our pupils changing so much I was asked to come out of class and concentrate on working on supporting our pupils with their communication.

I discovered Communication in print 2 and this was where our journey as a school began. We could instantly see using coloured symbols was helping children to understand language and communicate with those around them through the use of these symbols.

We began to make now and next boards and symbols, pupils could use to exchange for snack items such as a banana. We developed our resources but only had a few people who could use this resource during the early days.

We then discovered Widgit Online!! This changed everything. We could easily make a wide range of individual resources throughout the school. We could make resources for families to use at home as well as pupils in school. We could make dual language resources for our EAL families.

Some examples of the impact Widgit has had are: one pupil was very distressed, would climb, cry and hurt herself. We introduced her to using a symbol to ask for things like: crisps, bubbles and water and this changed everything.

This pupil had been given a voice!! She stopped the distressed behaviours and instantly developed on to using a communication book which changed her behaviour to calm, social and positive.

She had found a way to communicate and didn’t need to use the behaviours to get her needs met she could use symbols.

This is not a single case, many of the pupils at school are unable to use their voice to speak but instead used communication books made from Widgit online and have as a result been given a voice.

My role would be incredibly difficult without Widgit online. This program has helped me and my colleagues make daily timetables in every class. Communication boards to give our pupils tools to speak and communicate as well as join in and be included with their peers every day in a range of classes.

We can make visual instructions to help our pupils carry out daily tasks like taking the register independently. Widgit Online has help our pupils cope with transitions, doctor’s appointments, vaccinations.

The impact has given our children a voice, Independence and helped them to go out in the community and socialise with those around them. We have whole school phase assemblies where the symbols are displayed on a huge PowerPoint. It’s amazing even our youngest and new pupils begin to recognise which symbols relate to their favourite songs then request which songs we should all sing.

We have a school council that pupils can now take part in ‘Pupil Voice’ sessions. We are an Outstanding school, we have the ICAN award and we are a ‘Balanced School of excellence’ each of these have recognised us for our use of communication support.

To conclude, my role as a Communication Practitioner is successful because I have the tools to help me help give our pupils a voice and support their understanding of language through the use of Widgit Online.

I literally could not be as effective without this tool, it has changed the lives of so many of our pupils and their families.

Thank you, you’re amazing!!! We would love an outdoors communication board it would be used every day we would welcome you with open arms.
My Mum's visible decrease in anxiety was incredible
by Anonymous Read Full Story...

As a Speech and Language Therapist, working with children and young people with complex needs, I'm a firm advocate of using symbols - advising and supporting this professionally. What I was not ready for was the devastation that Dementia has brought to my family, first with my Dad, and then my Mum, who cared for him so determinedly, both being diagnosed with the disease.

The anxiety, memory loss, confusion and delusions this brought was robbing us of our parents a little piece at a time, threatening their independence that they craved, and breaking our hearts.

Having had very little support or guidance, I turned to my professional experience and started to create resources to help my Mum stay at home with Dad for as long as possible - symbolised notes on the door about items to take out, clear phone numbers with symbols for emergency services and carers, schedules to remind her of upcoming events that were causing so much anxiety, medication scripts, reminders of how to use equipment - the microwave, the call button for help, the phone etc.

My Mum's visible decrease in anxiety was incredible. The look on her face when she could independently use the symbols to remind herself of what was happening - and her: "yes, that's right...I know that!" was so impactful on us all.

She walked about with some of the scripts in her pocket, showed carers, who I understand began to use similar ideas for other clients, and was able to stay at home with Dad for as long as was safe. Sadly now they are both in a care home, but again your amazing symbols have helped explain and remind them where things are, when family are coming to visit, schedule events and simple social stories about their lives that help them share this with carers. Thank you Widgit!

The care home had never seen the symbols or ideas before and it makes me so happy that they have started to incorporate these into music time choices, so that residents who cannot make choices verbally can hear their favourite tunes.

My parents recently celebrated their 72nd wedding anniversary and my Dad, who cannot speak, chose a love song for her. Not a dry eye in the home! X
This was such an amazing step for us...my heart exploded
by Leah Anten Read Full Story...

My child Jude suddenly stopped talking at around 2 years old. He was starting to say lots of different words, copying us, then all of a sudden it was gone.

This was such a confusing and worrying time for us. Eventually we understood that Jude was Autistic and had regressed language. It was so hard starting from scratch again. Learning different sounds and how to put them together. This is where visuals really helped our son communicate and start to rebuild his vocabulary.

We used Widgit visuals to make many resources for daily routines, Jude’s basic needs and wants, helping him learn family names, which in turn helped to keep his frustrations to a minimum. He uses visuals every day at home and at school to help him understand instructions, remember key vocabulary (his word finding difficulties limit him without these) and help him be more independent.

Recently we went to a local park which had been redesigned and upgraded and we soon spotted the Widgit communication board. My heart exploded when Jude ran over and pointed to I want swing please! He’d never asked when we were out before! This was such an amazing step for us!

We now use these visuals alongside his AAC device, signing and spoken language to help Jude develop, grow and communicate with his peers and family. We would love his class to have one as all the children have communication and interaction needs, They need more support than most especially during those unstructured times at break and lunchtime outside. Most resources they have are through donations from parents and the community, and I know it not only would be used continuously, it would make a huge difference to those children that have something to say and a way of communicating it independently
A life saver - providing routine and structure
by Angela Edwards Read Full Story...

I've been using CIP as a practitioner for the last 23 years, so as you can imagine I have many stories to tell.

CIP was a life safer during Covid times, used to create visual strips and timetables for parents to use at home in supporting their little ones with their new routines, making working at home part of their daily routines. This helped in reducing the amount of meltdowns and provided routine and structure to the children's new daily routines.

It was also extremely beneficial in creating social stories to explain to the older children why they were unable to come to school and what their new routine would look like on a daily basis, most importantly explaining in simple form why we had those changes. This helped reduce the children's anxieties and help support them in understanding the reasons for the changes in keeping them and others safe.

Over the years I've used CIP to support with toilet training and encouraging them to be as independent as possible. Used to create toilet symbols to be used as pecs dotted throughout the classroom to be used as pecs, encouraging non-verbal children to ask adults for the toilet indicating their need and put on visual timetables to encourage / as a reminder to use the toilet. Creating a visual strip of which order to do things in including washing hands strip etc helped them to complete these new tasks and be as independent as possible.

With the new ALN Code we've also used CIP to create a child friendly way of gaining non-verbal pupil's views of what they think of their daily life in school. This information has been vital in planning the child's daily timetable and used during pcp and IDP meetings in capturing their views.

In our school CIP is also used with our LA children in mainstream as just by creating instructions for the lesson using CIP this can give them confidence and encourage them to be as independent learners as possible regardless of their reading ability.

I've also used CIP in creating a visual strip to encourage the introduction of new foods with a child with Arfid. The child would eat toast but only associated this with home and would only eat crisps in school. We created a visual strip that incorporated the trying of a piece of toast in between the eating of 2 crisps. The symbols were taken off the strip as the child ate them. Eventually after a few weeks the child would eat toast, crisps, biscuits and a yoghurt in school using the same approach.

The same child in question would also only drink milk out of a baby's bottle. We used symbols created on CIP to make a now / next board where we put drink water cup then her favourite motivator which was the reading of a page of her favourite book. Over a period of weeks this worked and she is now able to drink water in school and at home out of a cup. The Arfid team she was under was happy with her progress and discharged her as a result.
When I first heard him say “Mam” my heart melted
by Danielle Read Full Story...

I'd first like to start with some background. Harry is 4 nearly 5, has a diagnosis of autism speech delay and social communication disorder. Jack is 7 years old has a diagnosis of ADHD. Life has been a struggle I’m not gonna lie or sugar coat it. It's been hard. Being a single parent to two children with additional needs has meant that my days have felt like they’re not gonna end.

Let's go back to the beginning Harry joined a private nursery who couldn't meet his needs. He then went to a state nursery who identified his needs and started the process of helping us. They introduced us to PEC cards and how they work. Within a year and half of nursery his speech had gone from non-existent to being able to say a few words including 'Mam'. (I can't express to you the horrible feeling of realising you may never hear your child say your name) when I 1st heard him say mam my heart melted. My little boy's voice was the sweetest thing I've ever heard.

Still unable to talk, we used the communication cards at home as well to help him identify his needs. The moment he brought me a symbol of a drink was one of my proudest moments. He had just communicated to me. As time went on his behaviour changed because he could communicate now. He had gone from a child who bites and hits to a happy little boy who loves his trains. All because now he could communicate with pictures and symbols.

Harry has now left nursery and is in school. I personally purchased and downloaded the Widgit software because I want Harry to keep improving. We want Harry to have access to how he communicates. I couldn't be prouder of my little boy, he's worked so let's move on to Jack.

Jack struggles with anxiety, controlling his emotions. He gets very angry and hits out. Part of this is the ADHD but another part his him not understanding his routines and what to do when he is angry. Social stories have really helped Jack understand what he needs to do. His routine reliefs anxiety.

Widgits have helped my family so much. They have enabled a little boy to communicate, given him the gift of speech and helped a slightly older child keep calmer and less anxious.
I have witnessed the incredible power of Widgit
by SEN teacher in England Read Full Story...

I want to share with you just how significant and transformative the use of Widgit has been for our beloved students. It's hard to describe its profound impact on their lives, but I'll do my best to convey its importance.

Since working with my students, I have always believed in their incredible potential. Their inability to communicate verbally never dampened my hopes and dreams for them. However, it did present me with unique challenges in understanding their needs, thoughts, and emotions.

Widgit is a program that has been nothing short of a beacon of hope and a source of empowerment for our school. Here's why it's so important to us:

Communication

Widgit has given our students a voice they never had. Through its symbols, they can now express their desires, feelings, and ideas with clarity and confidence. The frustration of not being understood has given way to the joy of being heard.

Connection

I have witnessed the incredible power of Widgit in building connections. Our students can now engage in conversations with us, their families, and friends. It has opened up a world of social interaction and meaningful relationships for them.

Independence

With Widgit, our students have gained the independence I once thought impossible. They can make choices, express preferences, and even complete tasks independently, fostering an invaluable sense of autonomy for their self-esteem and growth.

Education

Widgit has been an invaluable tool in their education. It has made learning more accessible and enjoyable. Concepts that were once abstract and challenging have become concrete and understandable through symbols.

Empowerment

Above all, Widgit has empowered our students. It has shown them that they can participate fully in life, that their thoughts and feelings matter, and that they can achieve their dreams just like anyone else.

As a special needs teacher, witnessing our students' transformation through Widgit software has been a journey filled with tears of joy and immense gratitude. It has reaffirmed our belief in the limitless potential of every child, regardless of their communication challenges.

So, when I say that Widgit has been a lifeline for our school, students and their families, I mean it with all my heart. I am forever grateful for this remarkable program that has unlocked the world for our students. With heartfelt thanks, Beatriz SEN Teacher.
The impact of Widgit has been completely transformative
Charlotte Ambrose Read Full Story...

When I began my job as Speech and Language Therapist (SALT) of Stanley School, I was the first ever SALT to be employed by the Local Authority on the Wirral.

Stanley School is a specialist school for children with significant, complex and lifelong learning difficulties aged between 3 - 11. The first thing I wanted to do was make sure we had a consistent and functional symbol system (and a wider total communication environment) in place.

The school had dabbled with a mixture of symbol sets and this resulted in different staff using different symbols and caused a great deal of confusion for both children and teachers! As a result, I encouraged the management team to subscribe to Widgit Online and we have never looked back!

Indeed, on our Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review, we were praised by the retired Ofsted Inspector for our symbol use. They specifically stated in our feedback that "Symbols are used well.

The danger of using symbols for every word in text or confusing symbols is avoided and the communication team model best practice and support staff in understanding how to focus on key words and messages. This results in pupils finding the materials supportive and accessible, as in the case of a symbol story used to explain to a child why they must wear a seatbelt on the mini bus into school".

Staff have regular Widgit Training from myself and we now have pupils with individualised communication books and pupils with a variety of static symbol communication aids.

We use Widgit to develop certificates of achievement for our children (including for horse riding), teachers use Widgit to develop information sheets for activities with "finished" bars behind each velcroed step so the children have a clear visual support, demonstrating which steps they still need to complete i.e - making 'fluffy' paint.

The impact of this symbol system really has been completely transformative for our school community and is probably our most well used resource. We also develop support stories for our children, send home symbols so parents can benefit from the use of them at home etc. I have produced templates for what is expected on communication books which teachers have followed and this has led to much more consistency on a school wide level.

The programme is user friendly and accessible which also makes a huge difference. Teachers are empowered to produce school timetables and reward charts also, as well as communication supports for their lessons. The children also show increased awareness of symbols in school. They will approach staff and flick through the transition cards on our lanyards that we produced on Widgit to request where they would like to go.

Educational outcomes for the children have improved since the use of Widgit online was brought in. Children are enabled to show a range of communicative functions through the use of the different communication supports that are produced and are available to them. We hope to continue to benefit from the use of this programme for many years to come. Thank you for your consideration, Charlotte Ambrose School SALT Stanley School
I couldn’t do my job without Widgit
By Laura Read Full Story...

I have been teaching for 5 years now and when the opportunity came to go into the ASN sector I couldn’t turn down this life changing position.

My experience certainly wasn’t as smooth as I’d hoped it would be. It was a lot of tears and that was just me! But Widgit symbols have been fundamental to my teaching. I literally couldn’t do my job without them.

It began when I introduced communication boards into my classroom. Little did I know that this simple addition would have such a profound impact. In my classroom, I had a diverse group of students with varying abilities and needs. Some were excellent at verbal communication, while others struggled to express themselves.

It was a constant challenge to ensure that every child had an equal opportunity to participate and learn. As I was researching innovative teaching methods, I found Widgit Online and their communication boards. The specially designed boards with symbols, pictures, and words would allowed non-verbal or minimally verbal students to communicate effectively.

The first communication board found its place on the desk of S, a bright young girl who had been silent in the school since joining in P2, and we were now in P4. The change was almost immediate. With the board in front of her, she started pointing at pictures and words, forming sentences and expressing herself in ways I had never seen before. Her eyes sparkled with newfound confidence, and her classmates welcomed her into conversations eagerly. But her transformation was just the beginning.

Other students quickly adopted the communication boards, and the impact rippled throughout the classroom. T, a boy with ASD, found a voice through the boards, and his insightful thoughts and ideas amazed us all.

M, who had previously been too shy to speak, began to participate actively, and her self-esteem soared. It was as if a veil of silence had been lifted from our classroom, and a world of thoughts and feelings had been unleashed.

The communication boards became an integral part of our daily routine. They were used for lessons, group discussions, and even during playtime. The sense of inclusion and unity among the children grew stronger as they all worked together to ensure that everyone had a chance to communicate.

It was not just about teaching; it was about fostering empathy and understanding. As a teacher, witnessing these transformations was deeply gratifying. I saw my children evolve into confident, expressive individuals, each with their unique voices. Their progress extended beyond the classroom, as parents reported how communication boards were improving family dynamics.

These simple tools were making profound changes in the lives of my students and their families. The success of the communication boards in my classroom inspired other teachers in the school to adopt them. Not only did it improve the lives of non-verbal students, but it also enriched the experiences of all students by promoting diversity and understanding.

In the end, the introduction of communication boards into my classroom had a profound impact on my life as a teacher. It taught me that innovation and adaptability are essential in education, and that every child has a unique way of learning and expressing themselves. Most importantly, it reinforced the belief that a small change in the classroom can have a monumental impact on the lives of students, shaping not only their educational journey but also their personal growth and self-esteem.

It was a reminder that as a teacher, I had the power to change lives, one communication board at a time.
Finally, something made sense to him
By Claire Lord Read Full Story...

Once upon a time, in a primary school in St Albans, there was a child who loved books but was struggling to read.

His teachers tried phonics, games, whole words and even making books about his special interests but nothing worked. Lessons involving reading became extremely stressful for this boy and even though he loved being read to and looking at books, he just couldn't get the hang of it.

By year 4, everyone was really worried. He was falling further behind. He required a significant amount of adult support which meant he couldn't learn independently like his peers. Being unable to read made so much inaccessible to him.

One day, he told a teacher that words didn't really mean anything to him. He didn't understand how the squiggles that appeared on a page could actually be words. How did everyone else know what these squiggles meant and how did they remember them all? Thankfully, the school had Widgit and the teacher showed the boy some Widgit symbols. Finally, something made sense to him.

The teacher was able to use Widgit to make a reading programme that helped the boy learn to read some simple words. Before long, the boy was reading and writing many words. He told his teachers that the squiggles made sense when he saw them next to a picture.

Rather than getting frustrated during reading lessons, he was enjoying playing games such as snap and dominoes that the teacher had made with the Widgit symbols. This child used to have to have 1:1 support in all his lessons but is now able to access more learning independently now his reading has improved. This has led to the school using Widgit as their first port of call to support other children who are finding it hard to learn to read and write. Without it, this boy and others may still be struggling.
I feel empowered
By Alice Read Full Story...

I had always struggled with communicating with my family and friends . I would go from nothing to an exploding coffee pot in seconds . I had no control , I was violent and unable to express or understand myself. My life was a ball of anger. At collage I learnt about autism and Widgit communication .

I found I had a lot of empathy for the struggles children with autism had to cope with and the stress it caused them. Widgit helped me break down what I said to the children and I also started using it to take control of what I wanted to say , this meant finally at age 33 I was able to learn to communicate with my parents , I wished I’d known about Widgit when I was a child .

Having a picture and an action recall helps me communicate constructively. I feel empowered when I remember to respond rather than react and that makes me feel really happy inside. Sometimes feelings are hard to talk about but the important thing I have learnt is it’s really important to say how you feel and Widgit makes this much easier.

Widgit helps me listen when I am stressed at work and this makes me a better worker.