Visual strategies are things you can see: pictures, objects, photos, written language, and more. Visual supports can be used to help students better understand life routines and communication.

One of the most important places visual strategies can provide support is in family activities. Parents can use visual supports to help their children participate successfully in family events.

Here are some success stories
One mom was very grateful that she can now take her daughter to stores and have her hold mom's hand without running away. The girl carries a visual cue card as she holds her mother's hand.

Eating Problems
A parent shared she was having a hard time getting her daughter to eat anything but finger food. She created a place mat with the steps of eating from a bowl with a spoon. The task was broken down
step-by-step. The girl responded and finished the whole bowl of
food correctly.

Going out to eat in public was a problem
This family used a STOP picture and an EAT picture and other pictures a lot. Pictures helped the boy focus his attention. The pictures also helped so the adults could be discreet and did not have to say things that other people in the restaurant would overhear. They could just lay a picture on the table and point to remind him what he needs to do.

A teacher wrote
The most profound experiences I have had using visual strategies is when a new child comes to me and his parents are so frustrated that not only does their child not talk, but he also has behavior problems. I introduce the child (and the parent) to visual strategies. The parents are always amazed at how quickly the child understands. I then give the parents a few visual strategies to use at home. They come back for the next session with a report of how well the visual supports are working at home and in such a short time. Then it is just a process of building on what works best for that child.

And an unusual activity
My son takes therapeutic horseback riding. He was able to participate in the county Special Olympics. One of his events was to be a trail ride which had a certain trail to follow along with certain actions expected of the rider. In order to help my son learn and pay attention to what he had to do, I made small cue cards and put them on a ring. He could look at them to learn the course. He did learn the course and he got the blue ribbon. I am sure the visual cues made an impact.

Here's a classic
I made Boardmaker icons for my son to use each morning so that my mornings will go a little smoother. After many trials, he is now completing his chart independently with minimum reminders. Trying to get three kids out the door and be on time is now a goal that I may be able to achieve soon. I am now going to start using pictures with my other two children, too.

Meeting a serious need
A student was very anxious about going to respite for a week. His parents had not told him that he was going the previous time. The student was very, very anxious and used behaviors that we hadn't seen in a very long time. I made a Social Story and a chart with each day of the week. We used a SCHOOL BUS TO RESPITE photo, a photo of RESPITE and a photo of SLEEP. We used the chart and each day the boy took took off the the appropriate pictures. On the final day was a photo of his parents and home. Now he had definite concrete proof when he was going to be back with his parents. His behavior change with this new system was almost miraculous.

And a unique problem
I have so many success stories using visuals with my son! Here's one: Even though he is a teenager, he was still "climbing" into the car - putting his knees on the seat first and then turning himself around and sitting down. We took pictures of him getting in the car "the right way," and he now gets in the car "the right way" 99%
of the time.

The perfect tools
Visual strategies are the perfect tools to help families successfully manage the unique life and learning needs of their children.

Copyright © 2008 Linda Hodgdon

I am totally convinced that it is more important to master the use of visual strategies for effective communication than almost any other teaching strategy you can learn. The Visual Strategies Workshop has helped thousands of people do that.


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Gold Winner, 2006 & 2007 MarCom Creative Award
Gold Winner, 2007 & 2008 NAPPA Parenting Resources Awards

Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is a Speech- Language Pathologist and a Consultant for Autism Spectrum Disorders. She is the author of the bestseller, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, one of the most recommended books in the field of autism.

Internationally recognized as a powerful and informative speaker and consultant, Linda has presented her insightful and dynamic workshops to audiences of educators and parents worldwide.

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