A sign language vocabulary book has been designed for a special school in Aberdeen, in what is believed to be a first in Scotland.

Signs have been created to deal with every aspect of life at Hazlewood School, including: the subjects taught; equipment used by different teachers; and places in Aberdeen visited by pupils, such as supermarkets, parks and some street names.

The book is based on Signalong, a type of sign language used to promote communication with many Hazlewood pupils. The school caters for pupils aged five to 18 with a range of additional support needs arising from complex learning difficulties and autism spectrum disorders.

The book was compiled by a working group of two teachers, a speech and language therapist, and a parent and Signalong trainer. Those involved say it is the first such vocabulary manual for a special school in Scotland.

www.signalong.org.uk.