Visual Supports in our world!

1. Visual Supportsin our world!

2. Let’s check and see how well we understand the visual supports in our daily life!

9. Most people would benefitfrom paying attention tovisual supports. Opps!! 

10. Game time!! Call out loud what each visual support represents….READY?

35. Even Polar Bears… need visual supports!

36. VISUAL SUPPORTS for the Home, Community, and Classroom! Strategies for individuals with communication and language deficits.

37. Our Purpose today is to help answer the following questions….. • What are visual supports? • Which ones do I use? • How do I make them or get them? • How do I use them? • Do I need a special computer program to create them?

38. But first…How necessary are visual supports? I don’t need them! In fact I don't think I ever use them!

40. Think about how life would be without our own visual support systems! Visual Supports help us understand our world and keep us on track! Thus…keeping us all very happy!

41. Our day is inundated with visual supports

43. So…what exactly are visual supports for children? Hmmm?

44. Diane Twachtman-Cullen, Ph.D. defines Visual Supports as….. • “A tool that enables the child to keep track of the day’s events and activities and at the same time helps him or her to develop an understanding of time frame and appreciation of environmental sequences” Diane Twachtman-Cullen is a well known authority on autism spectrum disorders. (1995) Teaching Children with autism: Strategies to enhance communication and socialization

45. Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP • Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders and lots of other students with behavior or communication challenges tend to be visual learners. They understand what they see better than what they hear. Therefore, they benefit significantly from the use of Visual Strategies.

46. Why Use Visual Supports With Children…. • Follow rules • Visual reminders… • Understand what they are supposed to do • Know what is happening in their day • Understand how to complete work play or activities and tell someone they are finished • Move from one activity to another

47. Why Use Visual Supports With Children continued….. • Make choices about what they want to do • Prevent challenging behavior • Are helpful in supporting and increasing both receptive and expressive communication • Visuals are static, meaning that they remain present after the spoken word • Visuals can act as a cue to teach appropriate behavior

48. Visual Supports are an effective instructional tool… • “Visual supports organize a sequence of events, enhancing the student’s ability to understand, anticipate and participate in those events. • Visual supports supplement verbal instruction, clarifying the information for the student and increasing comprehension. • Visual supports can be used to cue communication, providing reminders of what to do and say in a situation.” Kathleen Ann Quill, Ed.D., Director of the Autism Institute, Teaching Children with Autism: Strategies to Enhance Communication and Socialization,1995

49. Linda A. Hodgdon M.Ed., CCC-SLP • Visual Strategies for Improving Communication / Volume 1: Practical Supports for School and Home • Solving Behavior Problems in Autism / Improving Communication with Visual Strategies

50. Strategies for Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome (2000) • by Jennifer L. Savner & Brenda Smith Myles • Visual supports give children with autism and other pervasive developmental disorders more control of their environment, resulting in less frustration and fewer problem behaviors. A treasure chest of ideas!