A new visual communication resource designed to help children and individuals with complex communication needs understand the emotions and experiences of living with a loved one’s life-limiting illness has been launched by Overgate Hospice.
The first in a planned series of resources has been developed in collaboration with Kylie Lang, an Overgate Day Hospice patient who was diagnosed with stage four breast cancer at just 38. Kylie worked closely with the Hospice to create the materials based on her own experiences supporting her daughter Elsie, who is autistic and has complex communication needs.
The resource uses visual symbols to help explain feelings, changes and everyday situations that can occur when a family member is seriously ill. It aims to support children and individuals who may struggle with verbal explanations to better understand what is happening around them.
To bring the resource to life, Overgate partnered with Widgit, a pioneering software company specialising in symbol-based communication tools used around the world to support people with communication difficulties, including autistic individuals, people with learning disabilities, and those with speech and language impairments.
Using Widgit’s widely recognised symbols, the resource has been designed to help families, educators and caregivers have clearer, more supportive conversations during what can be an incredibly difficult time.
Kylie said creating the resource was deeply personal and something she hopes will help other families facing similar challenges.
“When I was diagnosed, one of my biggest worries was how to help Elsie understand what was happening. Because she processes things differently, it isn’t always easy to explain big emotions or changes using just words. Working with Overgate to turn our experiences into something visual has been really special. If this resource helps even one family have those conversations more easily, or helps a child feel less confused or frightened, then it will mean the world to me. I’m incredibly passionate about supporting other families who may find themselves in a similar position caring for a child with autism or complex communication needs.”
The resource has been produced using Widgit symbols, widely recognised within education, health and care settings for supporting inclusive communication.
Sally Wells, Lead Symbol & Education Specialist at Widgit, said:
“We are delighted to have been involved in this important project with Overgate and Kylie. Symbol-supported resources can make a huge difference for people who benefit from visual communication, helping them understand situations, emotions and changes that might otherwise feel overwhelming. We’re particularly pleased that these resources will be available not only as a PDF, but also as an editable InPrint 4 version. This means families, educators and professionals can personalise the books to reflect their own situations, which we believe will make them even more meaningful and valuable for the people using them. We thank Kylie for her courage and dedication in driving this project forward, and to Overgate for their ongoing support. We look forward to continuing to work together to provide further accessible, symbolised materials to support families and help promote an inclusive world in which everyone can understand and be understood.”
The resource is now available to download from the Useful Information section of the Overgate Hospice website. Widgit will also be sharing the resource through its own platforms, helping it reach families, professionals and organisations across the UK and beyond.
Overgate hopes this will be the first of several resources developed to support families navigating serious illness while ensuring communication remains inclusive and accessible for everyone.