You might have heard about PODD in a habilitation meeting, or seen children at residential care or school using thick folders with symbols. These are communication boards — and they can be life-changing for children who cannot communicate verbally.
This guide explains what PODD is, how it differs from simpler picture support, and what you can do at home to support and complement the habilitation’s work — without it costing a fortune.
💬 Communication Boards in Short-Term Residential Care — My Experiences
In short-term residential care, we meet children with widely varying communication abilities. Some of them have PODD boards developed by their speech therapist through habilitation services. These boards are custom-made — and expensive to produce. What we can do in residential care is to use the boards consistently and supplement with simpler picture support for everyday situations.
The most common challenge: parents and residential care staff don’t have time to learn the entire PODD system. My experience is that it’s enough to focus on the 20–30 symbols the child uses most. Start there.
Tip: Ask the speech therapist for a ’mini-board’ with the child’s most important symbols to display at home and in residential care. It costs nothing and makes consistency much easier.
What is PODD?
PODD (Pragmatic Organisation Dynamic Display) is an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) system developed by Australian speech therapist Gayle Porter. Unlike simple picture schedules, PODD is a complete communication system that covers everything a person might want to say — not just basic needs.
A PODD board is organized pragmatically — that is, according to communication purpose (greeting, requesting, commenting, telling, asking). This makes it more flexible than traditional communication boards which are often categorized by topic.
PODD vs. Standard Communication Board — What’s the Difference?
| Product | Amazon.se | Specialty Store | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Picture Communication (Homemade) | Free (Printable) | Start Here | |
| Thematic Communication Board | approx. 200 SEK (Amazon) | approx. 300–1,300 SEK | |
| PODD Board (Habilitation Developed) | Subsidized via Habilitation | Apply via Habilitation |
What You Can Do at Home — Without Waiting for Habilitation Services
PODD is developed by a speech therapist through habilitation services and is individually tailored. It’s not something you put together at home. But there’s a lot you can do:
- Start with 20–30 core symbols (words used in all situations: more, stop, not, yes, no, help, look, I, you, want)
- Place the symbols in fixed locations at home — by the dining table, in the bathroom, by the bed
- Create a simple communication system with laminated picture cards until the habilitation contact is established
- Use TAKK (Signs as Support) in parallel — Markus has training in this and it works excellently as a bridge
Complementary Products
You can buy these products directly without a speech therapist — they are great as a complement and introduction:
Free Resources — Download Picture Support for Free
- Widgit Online — symbol library, free trial
- Boardmaker — industry standard, license available through many municipalities (ask the school)
- Mulberry Symbols — open source, free to download and use
- Arasaac — Spanish symbol library with 30,000+ symbols, free
Common Questions About PODD and Communication Boards
How do I apply for PODD for my child?
Contact your child’s habilitation services and ask for a referral to a speech therapist specializing in AAC. In most regions, this is included in habilitation services and is free of charge.
Can I use a PODD app instead of a physical board?
Yes — apps like Snap Core First and TouchChat include PODD page sets. They cost money but are more flexible. Ask your speech therapist what suits your child.
How long does it take to learn PODD?
The child learns the PODD system gradually over months. Staff and parents need training — often 1–2 days of basic training. Habilitation services usually offer this.
My child refuses to use the communication board — what do I do?
Motivation increases if the board is adapted to the child’s actual interests and needs. Talk to the speech therapist about revising the content. Always start with what the child wants to communicate, not what we adults want to hear.
Related Aids
Communication aids work best in combination:
- PECS Picture Cards — a simpler starting point for early communication training
- Daily Schedules for Children with Autism — visual structure that reduces communication stress
- Picture Support at Home — free resources — get started without a budget
Related Guides & Tools
- Visual Schedule for Neurodivergent Children – Affordable Options and Guide
- Visual Schedules for NPF Children: Affordable Options & Expert Guide
- Occupational Therapist’s Home Tips: 8 Things You Can Do Without a Referral for NPF (2026)
- Weighted Blankets for Kids with ADHD & Autism: Your Complete 2026 Guide to Better Sleep (Choose the Perfect Weight!)
- Weighted Blankets for Children with ADHD and Autism — Complete Guide 2026 (Choose the Right Weight!)
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