Page 1 of 3

A guide about

BIGmack

What is a BIGmack switch? A BIGmack switch is a battery operated device on which you can record a single message to support a student to communicate. Who can use a BIGmack switch? • Anyone. • Students who are non-verbal. • Students who may be verbal but are too shy to communicate in a group situation. • Students who may be verbal but are too shy to communicate with unfamiliar adults. • Students who may be verbal but may take a long time to communicate a piece of information in a

particular setting, so will pre-prepare their message. The student can activate the switch independently or an adult can use hand-over-hand support to help. Why use a BIGmack switch? • Simple to programme and use. • Only needs a battery to work. • Versatile and can be used throughout the day in a variety of situations. • Non-verbal students can be included in activities. • Easy to transport so can be taken and used in different environments. • Promote independence and a student is able to give a message without relying on an adult. Who can help? • Speech and language therapists can support with suitability and consideration of other devices if

necessary. • Occupational therapist can support with accessibility and positioning of the switch. Further information can be found on the following websites: • http://talksense.weebly.com/feature-101-ideas-for-a-bigmack.html • http://www.liberatorsupport.com/downloads/easytec_resources/bigmack_ideas.pdf • http://www.spectronicsinoz.com/article/101-ideas-for-using-the-bigmack-or-other-single-message-

communication-devices-3 • http://www.cenmac.com/advice/bigmack.pdf Recording a message on a BIGmack There are a range of BIGmack switches and similar single message devices available on the market. Recording on all of these is similar. To record on a BIGmack switch: 1. Switch the device on using the volume button located on the back of the switch. 2. Hold down the little ‘rec’ button on the back of the device and the big button on top of the device. A red

light should appear on the back of the device. You can now record your message. 3. Let go of the buttons once you have finished recording the message. To check your message, press the

button on top of the device. 4. Always remember to turn the BIGmack switch off by using the volume control on the back of the device.

Page 2 of 3

BIGmack golden rules Labelling Always have an object, photo, symbol or tactile material placed on top of the switch to support the student to understand what they are communicating. Accessibility Ensure that the switch is accessible to the student using it. Think about which hand or body part they will use to activate it and where it should be positioned. Consistency BIGmack switches should be used consistently throughout the day. Students relying on these as a form of communication should have access to them regularly throughout the week. Responses to the student pressing the switches should be consistent as with other forms of communication. Generalisation Students should be given opportunities to use the BIGmack switches throughout the school day and to generalise skills, for example, a BIGmack switch with more recorded on it could be used at snack time, lunch time, during a game and during a music lesson. This should support the student to generalise the meaning of what has been recorded onto the BIGmack. Curriculum ideas English • Repeat a repetitive phrase from a story, for example, ‘I’ll huff and I’ll puff’. • Give instructions, for example, ‘turn the page’. • Confirm agreement or disagreement with something. Maths • Data collection, for example, ‘could you complete this questionnaire please?’ • Vote (using a few BIGmack switches). • Throw two beanbags at numbered BIGmack switches. Students then have to add the numbers. Music • Sing a chorus or verse of a song, for example, Happy Birthday. • Control music in a start and stop game. • Play music with friends. Social activities Chanting Record a chant, for example, for school sports day. Games • Activate voice activated toys. • Play snap (‘snap’ recorded on the

BIGmack switch). • Simon Says. Participate in concert Say something in a concert or play.

Group activities • Call someone over. • Gain someone’s attention. • Indicate my turn. • Join in a role play game. • Name an object in Kim’s Game. • Tell another child or group of children to

perform an action. • Confirm agreement or disagreement with

something.

Page 3 of 3

If you need communication support, an interpreter or this information in another language, audio, Braille, Easy Read or large print, please ask a member of staff.

You will be asked for your agreement to treatment and, if necessary, your permission to share your personal information.

Leaflet code: 01039a Published: February 2017 Expires: Febraury 2020 Page 3 of 3

08.0

2.17

Customer Care Team If you have a query about our health services, or would like to comment, compliment or complain about Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, you can contact the Customer Care Team.

Phone: 0300 123 1807, 8am to 5pm, Monday to Friday Please say if you would like the team to call you back Text: 07899 903499 Email: kcht.cct@nhs.net

Address: Customer Care Team, Kent Community Health NHS Foundation Trust, Unit J, Concept Court, Shearway Business Park, Folkestone, Kent CT19 4RJ Web: www.kentcht.nhs.uk

Generic ideas Commenting • Indicate finished. • Indicate more. • Indicate that they want something, for example,

‘That one please’. • Reject an idea, for example, ‘I don’t want to’. • Ask for help. • Indicate how they are feeling (using a few

switches). • Say what the weather is like (using a few

switches). Requesting • Ask to go to the toilet. • Choose a toy or musical instrument. • Ask for something in a shop. • Ask for something needed in an activity. • Ask for help, for example, in a shop.

Give instructions • Ready, Steady, Go games. • Simon Says games (using a few BIGmack

switches). Re-telling events • Taking a message to another class • Taking a message home to tell family about what

has happened today. Greetings • Good morning circle and answering the register. • Good-bye. Telling a joke Have a funny joke or noise recorded on the BIGmack switch.

Contact the Children’s Therapies Service Please contact your Integrated Therapy Team if you have any queries or concerns regarding the information in this leaflet.

Dartford, Gravesham and Swanley Phone 01322 428242

Tonbridge, Tunbridge Wells and Sevenoaks Phone 01892 501860

Maidstone and Malling Phone 01622 742333

Canterbury Phone 01227 783042

Thanet Phone 0300 042 0871