• Talking Mats is a low tech communication framework involving sets of symbols.
• It was originally developed by The AAC (Alternative and Augmetative Communication) Research Unit to support people with communication impairment. Since its original conception, additional research has taken place and now it is an established communication tool, which uses a mat with pictures symbols attached as the basis for communication.
• It is designed to help people with communication difficulties to think about issues discussed with them, and provide them with a way to effectively express their opinions.
• Talking Mats can help people arrive at a decision by providing a structure where information is presented in small chunks supported by symbols. It gives people time and space to think about information, work out what it means and say what they feel in a visual way that can be easily recorded.
• Talking Mats is actively being used across many diverse specialist areas and encompasses people with and without communication difficulties. Individuals using Talking Mats find it enjoyable and easy to use, as it provides them with a simple but effective, non-threatening way of expressing themselves.

TM001     Talking Mats & Learning Disability Package
                  ISBN: 1 85769 215 2
                  Written by Joan Murphy & Lois Cameron

For people with a learning disability choices can often be limited and it can be difficult to ensure their voice is heard. This is particularly true for those people with a learning disability who also have communication impairment. This package has been designed specifically for people with a learning difficulty and incorporates the thoughts, ideas and discussions which have evolved from a wealth of both clinical and research experiences and has been designed specifically to help people of any age with a learning difficulty.

TM002   Talking Mats and Frail Older People Package 
                   Written by Joan Murphy

---

TM005   Talking Mats & Aphasia 
                  Developed by Sally Boa and Joan Murphy

The new Talking Mats Aphasia package has been developed by Speech and Language Therapists and Researchers, Joan Murphy and Sally Boa.

Aphasia is a communication disability which occurs when the communication centres of the brain are damaged. It is usually caused by stroke, but can also be caused by head injury or brain tumour. Those involved with people with aphasia need to apply creative means to communicate, and this low tech, accessible framework provides an effective, empowering way to exchange ideas.

Goal setting and patient self management are now established as important parts of the rehabilitation process. Talking Mats can be used to great effect to help people with aphasia participate in the goal negotiation process.

 

The package includes a DVD showing how five people with aphasia used Talking Mats, a leaflet on Talking Mats and Aphasia, and the excellent source book, Talking Mats: A Resource to Enhance Communication. The inclusion of a Mat, Velcro and a starter symbol pack ensure that the package contains everything required to get communicating.  

---

TM006   Symbol Resource Set - Goal Setting 
                   Developed by Sally Boa and Joan Murphy

The new Talking Mats Aphasia package has been developed by Speech and Language Therapists and Researchers, Joan Murphy and Sally Boa.

Goal Setting – Symbol Resource Set is a complementary resource now available, which links closely with the Aphasia package. This package, including a booklet and CD containing over 180 symbols, explains how the World Health Organisation’s International Classification of Functioning (WHO-ICF 2001) has been adapted to be used in conjunction with Talking Mats to help people actively participate in setting their own goals for rehabilitation and in making decisions about their lives.

The authors have converted the nine WHO-ICF domains into symbols to make them more easily understood. These domains or ‘topics’ act as a good starting point to help people consider issues in their lives and, as a further expansion, subsets of ‘option’ symbols related to each topic have been developed. Furthermore as rehabilitation typically involves two or more domains this model allows the person to consider their goals holistically. 

---

TM009   Goal Setting Symbol Resource Set & Aphasia Package

---

TM011   Talking Mats & Dementia
 
  Developed by Jane Macer & Joan Murphy

Recent research by the team at the AAC Unit at the University of Stirling into Talking Mats & Dementia showed that the framework is very helpful in letting many people with dementia express their views, and is an effective communication tool for friends, family and carers.

The new Talking Mats & Dementia Package has been specifically designed following research (funded by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation) in this area. The package comprises a set of 58 individual symbols, a DVD featuring Talking Mats proactitioners working with people at different stages of the illness, the Talking Mats book, an accompanying Talking Mats & Dementia leaflet, velcro and a mat. The pack comes in a sturdy plastic box.