Montana Autism Education Project: Incorporating Visuals to Support Individuals with Autism

Visual supports are an evidenced-based practice for individuals with autism, language delays, developmental delays, auditory processing disorders, learning disabilities, ADD, and other communication disorders. Actually, it helps all learners. Visuals serve multiple purposes. It’s a tool that supports communication and behavior, increases access to the curriculum, and increases successful participation in and completion of curriculum requirements.

WHAT ARE VISUALS? In contrast to auditory input, visuals are concrete, meaningful, static, and permanent.

Body movements, gestures, facial expressions.
Environmental cues (visual boundaries, signs, labels)

Pictures, Objects
Written language
Concrete tools to give information

WHO CAN BENEFIT FROM VISUAL SUPPORTS?

Everyone benefits: the teacher, the individual student, and the whole class. Imagine a classroom where communication is clearer, instruction is efficient and effective, and the social emotional atmosphere is calmer, positive, and supportive.

WHY USE VISUAL SUPPORTS?

Visuals provide information that doesn’t “disappear” like verbal or auditory information, (even sign language can be transient).

Allows for time to process information and supports comprehension.
Structures the environment, establishes expectations.
Creates organizational tools.
Increases participation and independence.
Makes abstract concepts a bit concrete.

Accommodates for challenges with language, attention, memory.
Supports behavior – student learns how to behave.
Visual schedules reduce anxiety; student knows what to expect.
Helps with current activity and next activity; transitions (shift attention to next activity). What is going to happen, when it is going to happen, what is the sequence of events, what do students need, where he/she is going, what are the choices, what is changing, who is coming, how long will an activity last, when he/she gets a break, when is the preferred activity.
Makes time visual and concrete

Supports short attention span (how long, how many more?)
Reduces anxiety, provides predictability

WHAT CAN VISUAL SUPPORTS BE USED FOR?

Visuals are tools to

Organize and structure the environment
Establish expectations, rules, routines
Provide directions, explicit instructions
Facilitate communication, social interaction
Adapt curriculum

Modify assignments (highlight, underline, arrows)
Support comprehension
Support communication
Give information on who what when why how

Examples – Types of Visual Strategies

Calendars
Schedules- classroom and individual
Timelines
Classroom/individual rules & routines

School planner
Task Organizers
Clocks, timers
Organizational systems
Work Systems

First, Then
Graphic organizers
Checklists

Task analysis tool to teach a skill or routine

Step-by-step instructions
Social stories
Tools to teach and support behavior
Token board
Choice board

Videos to teach social, communication, behavior
Conversation tools
Scripts
Comic strip conversations

Visuals support learning, language, communication, and behavior in an inclusive environment. It increases independence and participation. Think visual when teaching. Explore the resources listed below. Incorporating visual strategies in your teaching will become a natural part of your repertoire. It benefits all.

RESOURCES