Communication Cards – When Words Are Hard | 15-Card Set

Communication Cards – When Words Are Hard | 15-Card Set

Our child has selective mutism, and these cards have been amazing for those times and places where he can’t find his words. They give him a way to tell us how he’s feeling or what he needs, without having to speak.

We’re sharing them in the hope they’ll be useful to other families too.

The set combines simple messages with familiar character outlines, covering feelings, personal space, rest, toilet needs and moments when talking is difficult. Keep a few favourites handy or put the whole set on a ring so they’re easy to carry and flick through.

What’s included

There are 15 cards in total, with messages including:

• “I’m talking in my head, just not out loud.”

• “I like you, I’m just shy right now.”

• “I’m happy.”

• “I’m sad.”

• “I need some space.”

• “I just need a rest.”

• “I’m sorry.”

• “Sorry – my words got stuck.”

• “I’ll do a Mr. Bean and show you instead.”

The set also includes thumbs-up, thumbs-down, toilet needs and quiet-mode cards. Print the whole set or just the cards that suit your family.

Card details

• 63 × 88 mm cards with rounded corners.

• 2 mm base with 0.8 mm raised artwork and lettering.

• 5.5 mm hole for a suitable ring.

• Four-colour palette: white, black, blue and yellow.

• Colours can be changed in Bambu Studio.

• One assembled 3MF project per card, with separate STL parts also supplied.

Printing

The photos show our printed cards.

Use PLA and print flat with the lettering facing up. The supplied projects use a 0.4 mm nozzle, 0.20 mm layers and no supports. An AMS or compatible multicolour system is recommended for the supplied colour layout. Some cards use fewer than four colours.

Open a card’s assembled 3MF in Bambu Studio, select your printer, assign your filaments and slice. The supplied projects were prepared with an A1 mini profile, so change the printer profile if you’re using a different machine, including the P2S.

Print one card first to check the small lettering and character details with your own filament and settings. If using the separate STLs, import all the parts for a card together as one object with multiple parts so the artwork stays aligned.

TPU lanyard ring — credit to cielejot

I also printed the ring shown in the photos in TPU to keep the cards together. It’s the Multipurpose Ring – Multiple Sizes by cielejot on MakerWorld.

Credit and thanks to them for the design! The ring is a separate download:

Download the ring and print profile here.

Using the cards

Introduce the cards when things are calm and let the person using them choose which messages are useful. Keep those within easy reach.

When someone shows you a card, acknowledge the message and give them time. There’s no need to ask them to say it out loud as well—the card is their way of communicating.

These have made a difference for our family, and we hope they help yours too. If you print a set, we’d love to see your photos and hear which cards you find useful.

Artwork credit

Character artwork is unofficial and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the respective rights holders. Character rights remain with their owners.

Tags / hashtags

#CommunicationCards #SelectiveMutism #AAC #VisualCommunication #CommunicationAid #DisabilityAid #Accessibility #AssistiveTechnology #ASD #Autism #Neurodiversity #VisualSupports #FeelingsCards #3DPrinting #Multicolour #PLA