Symbol shelves are tools for developing two-way communication with multihandicapped children who can anticipate events, but who do not respond to speech or sign language. The purpose of symbol shelves is to allow children to be expressive through symbols, to enable them to feel some sense of control, and to serve as a bridge to a more formal method of communication. There are five steps involved in setting up a symbol shelf. The teacher should: (1) creatively find out what activities the child enjoys; (2) fit these activities into a classroom routine; (3) select obvious objects to serve as symbols for these activities; (4) place the objects in sequence on a shelf; and (5) have a box where the child can put each object after the activity is over. A large part of this document is a detailed scenario offered as an example of how a teacher might set up and use a symbol shelf as part of a child's daily routine. (DC)