We know that most of our students with autism and related communication challenges demonstrate strength in understanding VISUAL information compared to their ability to understand
auditory input.

Visual supports help these students to participate successfully in their school activities. The visual tools do not need to be complicated to be effective. Even simple visual cues can dramatically change student behavior.

Here is how ten educators described their observations and simple successes with visual strategies.

A schedule helps
One teacher wrote. We use a big visual schedule board in the classroom for our daily activities. This has proven to be a BIG success with all our students. Then she added this. For one little guy the use of a FIRST and THEN card has made a difference. Knowing what he is working for has helped him make great improvements during his day.

And visuals help the students
Making a visual schedule really cut down on the student's anxieties during the school day. Writing Social Stories was a big help with his behavior problems.

It's not just one thing
Many kids benefit from the visual schedule. It is very concrete. Using a DO-DONE board or a FIRST-THEN board or an activity schedule or a checklist. Pictures always help!

They can be spontaneous
I find that it truly helps to have visuals - especially when a child is unsure of what will be happening or gets "stuck" on something.
Even quick drawings have helped when a picture or photo is not readily available.

Timers help
A child couldn't focus to finish his written work. We provided a visual timer and challenged him to "beat the clock." Now he is getting more work done. (See the visual timers below).

Visuals help avoid big problems
I really believe that by having a visual tool for my student to refocus on when things are getting a little unsure for him helps to eliminate a huge blow up!

Make them quickly
I draw simple stick figures with talking bubbles to show what the students can say during specific situations.

They work like magic
Writing it down or showing children graphics can work like magic. Visual strategies offer organization, safety and comfort. We are often amazed at the positive effects of utilizing visual supports in a social group. We use graphics to implement positive behavioral supports, inform the children of the schedule of activities and when we will be done. Visuals designate partners and who goes first. Visual strategies are essential in our work.

Instant success
This is a classic story about an extremely simple and obvious approach which had excellent results. Every spring at our school we take turns having the classes go swimming a few times. We were dealing with a difficult student who was tantruming and yelling about wanting to go swimming. Teachers were telling him something to the effect, "You can't go today. You'll get a turn later." That only made him angrier. Finally, we got out a calendar and showed him the date when he would next go swimming and we wrote "swimming" on the square for that date. It was like a switch turned off! He was instantly calm and content knowing that it was coming up and he could see on the calendar when he would go.

And here's a teacher's observation
We have started to re-organize our classrooms. Our goal is to make new visuals and add more visual support. We have seen better success with the use of visual strategies. The students respond well to the visuals, and from a behavioral perspective, teachers give less verbal prompts by utilizing the support of the visuals.

To summarize
Ten testimonies sharing simple solutions for potentially challenging problems. Teachers talk less when using visual strategies. And the results? Students refocus . . . get "unstuck" . . . reduce anxiety . . . more work done . . . better behavior . . . and more . . .

Sounds like a winner to me!

Copyright © 2008 Linda Hodgdon

Many attendees called it a defining moment in their work
with students.

We took the Visual Strategies on TOUR program to over 25 cities across the US. Did YOU miss the TOUR?

I heard from lots of people who wanted to attend and they couldn't because of schedule or location or lots of those other life things that get in the way.

Then I started to get letters that said, "When are you going to come back?" Someone attended a program and told a friend who didn't come. Then the friend experienced remorse for not coming and contacted me . . . yada yada . . .

Then one day I had one of those DUH moments. Why not record the program? So that's what we did.

Now you have one more chance to hear the great information that was shared at that program. Get your own set of RECORDINGS FROM THE TOUR.

Just click below for more information. Please don't wait.
There is a SPECIAL INTRODUCTORY OFFER
that will be available for a limited time.

Visual timers are important tools for every classroom or home. Time is invisible. Students benefit from being able to SEE time pass.

             Autism Spectrum Quarterly is the MAGAJOURNAL®



Why do we call Autism Spectrum Quarterly (ASQ) the magajournal®  Because it combines the best of both worlds:

• high-interest articles from parents and professionals
• cutting-edge information that can help you translate
  research into effective intervention practices

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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