SymbolStix

Online from Start to Finish

Hands-On Lab

SymbolStix ONLINE is a web-based symbol search engine that gives you access to over 18,000+ symbols
that include depictions of persons, events and activities as lively stick figures appropriate for all ages.
Additionally, SymbolStix offers 30 drag-and-drop templates that allow students, families, and teachers to
create materials quickly and easily.

Annual Subscription Cost: $59.00


What are Visual Supports?

Visual Supports are anything that we can see and that enhances the communication process.

They capitalize on a persons ability to gain information from the sense of sight.

They include:
body language (facial expressions, body orientation, body movement, body stance, reaching
touching, pointing, eye contact, etc.)
natural environmental cues (furniture arrangement, location and movement of people or objects,
printed material, written messages, instructions, menus, etc.)
traditional tools for organization and giving information (calendars, planners, TV guides, shopping
lists, iPhones, telephone books, etc.)
specifically designed tools to meet specific needs

Visual supports are not just picturesthey can be anything easily recognized, easily understood, and
universally accepted.

Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

updated 6/5/15


Why Use Visual Supports?

Below is a pie chart that shows the different levels of student comprehension.

Visual Comprehension includes comprehension of gestures, facial expressions, and body language
Vocal Comprehension includes intonation, rate, and volume of speech
Verbal Comprehension includes the actual spoken words

Adapted from: Hodgdon, Linda. Visual strategies for improving communication. 3rd. Troy, MI: Quirkroberts
Pub, 1995. 24. Print.

Functions of Visual Supports

helps us to organize and manage
environments;
clarify verbal information;
provide a concrete way to teach concepts
such as time, sequence, and cause and
effect;
create independence and self-control;
gives the structure to understand and
accept change;
ease transitions between activities and
locations;
They help!

Within the Classroom Visual Supports

1. Teach skills that are effective, universal, and

socially acceptable.
2. Teach compensatory strategies that will
increase participation and independence.
3. Modify environments for maximum
learning.

Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

updated 6/5/15

Getting Started: Logging In

1.
Go to http://www.n2y.com

2.
Click


3.
Enter your User Name and Password and click on Sign-In.

NPSSPED@northampton-k12.us

npsspedk12

4.
Click

























Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

Quick Start Tips

SymbolStix Online can be
accessed from any web
browser including iOS devices.

SymbolStix symbols can be
added to third-party iOS apps
by saving the symbols to your
Camera Roll.
SymbolStix symbols are image
files that can be used in any
application (i.e. Microsoft
PowerPoint, Microsoft
Windows, etc.).

updated 6/5/15

Exploring your Home Screen

Your Home Screen or Landing Page allows you to create folders, utilize templates, and search for
symbols. SymbolStix is categorically based, so you can browse for symbols using the Categories option.

Menu Key

Search allows you to search by
keyword or title
Categories allows you to browse
symbols based on their assigned
category
Recently Added symbols that
have been added in the past 30
days
Updates symbols that have been
recently updated
Unique symbols that used in the
Unique curriculum separated by
age band (i.e. Elementary)
News-2-You - symbols that used in
News-2-You


Folders - allows you to organize
symbols into custom made folders

Templates allows you to store
your custom templates

New
File/Folder

Image Download
Settings

Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

updated 6/5/15

Creating a Folder or New Template

1.
Click on the + sign at the bottom of the screen.
2.
Select either Folder or Template from the menu.













3.
Select the desired item enter a file name, and click Create.
Adding Images to Built-In Templates

SymbolStix templates offer drag-and-drop functionality.

To add images from the symbol library to the template:

1.
Search for each symbol using either the Search Bar
or the Categories menu.

2.
Drag the desired symbol on top of the template (or
folder).








3.
Once you have found your desired symbols, click
on the Template name

Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

updated 6/5/15

Adding Selected Symbols into the Template

Once you have selected added your desired symbols to your template (or folder) you are ready to create.

Quickly save as a PDF

To add symbols to your template, click on the picture and drag it to
an empty field.
You can usually add your own label (text) also.
Your templates can be saved to your SymbolStix account, printed,
or saved as a PDF.
PDF (Portable Document Format) is a great way to share resources
with families, colleagues, and staff.

Joshua Dickson, Special Education Teacher

updated 6/5/15