Why Symbolicone books are suitable for children with autism (ASD) — A speech therapist's testimonial
Karine Ross, orthophonistePublished for Autism Awareness Month, in April
For this April – Autism Awareness Month – I want to share a story of a wonderful success I experienced with an autistic student I met at a school. A true story that concretely illustrates why Symbolicone books are particularly well-suited for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD).
A student with major communication challenges
When I met little M., she was 10 years old. In addition to her ASD diagnosis, she had a significant language disorder. Despite years of specialized services and classroom adaptations, she had developed very little language. She mostly expressed herself through a few fixed English phrases, learned from her favorite shows and videos.
Building a connection first and foremost: the key with autistic children
In my initial structured speech therapy interventions, I first sought to establish a trusting relationship – an essential step with children with ASD. I discovered her main interest: Pet Shop figurines. By gently integrating into her play routines, adding unpredictable and fun elements, I managed to develop a small bond.
Her favorite moment? When she mimed a sneeze (Ah-ah-ah-choo!), and I rushed over with a mini tissue, exclaiming: “Oh no! His nose is running! Quick, we need to wipe it!” The ensuing burst of laughter was pure joy – and the foundation for everything that followed.
Why I chose the Symbolicone book “The Cat in Action”
Once this connection was established, I introduced the Symbolicone magnetic book “The Cat in Action.” This choice was not random; here’s why this type of material is particularly well-suited for autistic children.
1. A subject rooted in her interests
Cats were among her favorite animals. Starting with the child's interests is a recognized strategy in ASD intervention to foster engagement and motivation.
2. Functional and everyday vocabulary
The book illustrates concrete action verbs (drink, play, sleep, look...) – exactly the type of words autistic children need to communicate their daily needs.
3. A stable and predictable sentence structure
Each page follows the same pattern: same subject, only the verb changes. This structured repetition is valuable for children with ASD, who tolerate change better when it is isolated and predictable.
4. Pictograms integrated directly into the book
Each word in the sentence is accompanied by its pictogram – a visual support already used in many ASD classrooms. Pictograms serve as a bridge between visual representation and oral expression, addressing the need for concrete support for autistic children.
5. A complete collection for progress
If the child engages with The Cat in Action, other titles in the Vocabulary and Sentences collection are available – including The Girl in Action, The Boy in Action, Ouch, That Hurts! or Hooray! Let's Get Dressed! – to gradually expand vocabulary and work on various communication situations.
The intervention sequence: how I used the book
Here is the routine I established with M., page by page:
1. I showed the page and pointed to the pictograms one by one, naming them.
2. I mimed the action with expressive sounds (e.g., “glug-glug-glug” for “drinks”).
3. She watched me, laughed… and sometimes even imitated me!
4. I repeated the full sentence: “The cat drinks.”
5. I presented her with the magnets corresponding to the pictograms on the page.
6. I placed the magnets on their spaces, naming the words.
7. I removed the magnets and said to her: “Your turn!”
8. If needed, I guided her hands towards the magnets at the beginning.
The magical moment: the first words in French
After one or two pages, something happened. It wasn't really a miracle – it was the combined effectiveness of good intervention and well-adapted material. M. picked up a magnet herself, placed it on the page, and said: “Le chat… joue!” (The cat… plays!) – immediately followed by the mime.
It was the first time she had combined two words in French to describe what she saw. A first step unlocked, and above all, a path found.
What this testimony teaches us about ASD-adapted tools
With this established routine, the door opened to many other possibilities. The Symbolicone material from the Vocabulary and Sentences collection offers targeted vocabulary, illustrated with pictograms, which can be selected according to each child’s daily reality.
I unfortunately did not have time to explore all these books with M., but I remain confident that with patience, perseverance, the right intervention techniques – and the right tools – we always manage to achieve great things, even with children who have significant challenges.
That’s the beauty of our profession!
Do you work with autistic children and want to know more about Symbolicone books?