SAM: Symbols and Meaning Assessment Forms

Welcome to the SAM: Symbols and Meaning Web site from the American Printing House for the Blind.

SAM is a program to help learners develop the conceptual foundation, based on experiences with high quality sensory information, necessary for the use of meaningful symbols.

SAM is for students with visual and multiple impairments and pre-school children with visual impairments who are just beginning to use symbols—the late sensorimotor, early preoperational stage of cognitive development.

SAM is used by teachers of students with visual impairments to help parents and teachers create daily learning opportunities and provide direct instruction in natural environments.

SAM games are designed to make sure that words and object symbols are meaningful. Meaning is derived from direct sensory experiences with symbol referents. In order to determine needs and plan instruction, SAM provides four assessments.
• Symbol and Referent Analysis: Common Words
• Symbol and Referent Analysis: Academic Vocabulary
• Environmental Gap Inventory: Missing Concepts in Common Environments
• Curriculum-based Gap Inventory: Early Academic Skills and Basic Concepts

These electronic assessment tools help teachers understand a child’s vocabulary and corresponding life experiences with people, objects, and places. For best results, conduct the assessments only after reading the SAM Guidebook and the SAM Assessments and Games book. The electronic assessment tools are designed to be used in tandem with the SAM Kit.

APH has attempted to make this Web site as user friendly as possible. If you experience difficulty using the Web site, please email [email protected] or contact the APH Customer Service Department at our Toll-Free Number 1-800-223-1839.

Select Navigating the Web Site for detailed help on using the features of this Web site.