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57 %u00a9 Elklan Training Limited 2025Elklan Supporting Gestalt Language Processing %u2013 a Total Communication Approach6.10 SUPPORTING THE WELLBEINGOF NON-SPEAKING INDIVIDUALSTalking Mats%u2122 is a commercially available resource commonly used to support autistic individuals in expressing their views. Talking Mats provides a visual framework for the autistic child or young person to give their view, reflect and change their mind. There is a physical version or an electronic version to be used on tablets, smart boards or computers. Training is required to implement Talking Mats successfully (see www.talkingmats.com).Talking Mats%u2122 exampleThe image below shows an example of a physical version for exploring the chosen topic of %u2018school%u2019. A visual scale was placed at the top of the mat represented by the symbols with blue faces on the yellow background. The meaning of the scale can be adapted to suit the questions. In this example the scale from left to right was %u2018happy%u2019 %u2013 %u2018not sure%u2019 %u2013 %u2018unhappy%u2019 (%u2018not sure%u2019 was described by J-J as %u2018sometimes happy, sometimes not happy%u2019).Pictures representing different activities and situations associated with school were handed to J-J one at a time. J-J was asked to place the picture below one of the symbols on the scale. They were given plenty of time to process and make their decisions. When J-J had finished placing the items, each picture in turn was fed back verbally by the adult who pointed to each item. For example, %u2018You are unhappy asking for help%u2019. This allowed an opportunity for J-J to check and change his mind. This Talking Mat gave J-J a framework to show what he was happy with, not happy with and unsure about at school and the information gained can be further explored to support J-J and to give him more opportunities to express his feelings, views and preferences.Example of a Talking Mat