What Are Visual Supports for Autism?

By sandra.caplesc…, 22 July, 2022
Mommy and child playing games.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects a person’s life in different ways, such as how someone interacts with people, communicates, and learns.

Some people with autism respond better to information presented in a visual format rather than auditory input. Seeing the information rather than saying it will help the autistic child retain and process that detail. For example, Temple Grandin, a famous spokesperson for people with autism, describes how it is to be a visual thinker in her book, Thinking in Pictures.

Continue Reading: Best Books on Autism for Women.

Visual supports are great tools for individuals with autism of all ages. They can be illustrations, objects, daily schedules, picture symbols, or pictures—and they help increase communication and promote independence. The visual schedules are easy to make and are inexpensive, making it easy for children to organize their daily lives.

This article will explore what visual schedules are, how to use them, and how you can create one.

What Are Visual Supports?

Autistic people can use visual tools to communicate physically rather than using inconsistent words. Visual support can be a picture or a visual item to communicate with an autistic kid who has difficulty using language. They can be drawings, photographs, written words, sign language, picture cards, or lists. You can print them, use real-life objects, or show them on a computer.

They can help to:

  • Avoid frustration and anxiety
  • Provide structure and routine
  • Build confidence
  • Encourage independence
  • Improve understanding
  • Provide chances to interact with others

An autistic child who likes routine and knowing what to expect during the day can use a visual calendar or schedule. Visual tools can also show the appropriate steps for tidying up toys, for example. This image-based tool can present a sequence of events for what will happen during an activity or a specific task.

A schedule can look like this:

  • Saying hello to the teacher
  • Sitting down at the desk
  • Going out for recess
  • Eating lunch in the cafeteria
  • Going to class
  • Getting on the school bus

Schedules can break down parts of the day and are highly customizable and adjustable. There is no right or wrong visual schedule because it depends on the individual’s needs, goals, and routines. You can buy one here

History of Visual Supports

The idea that people with autism are visual thinkers came from the writings of Temple Grandin, a self-advocate for autism. When her book came out, it significantly impacted how therapists thought about learning and autism.

Temple Grandin explained that she “thinks in pictures” rather than words, which makes engineering easier while a conversation is difficult.

In the 1960s, Howard Gardner, an educational theorist, developed the theory of multiple intelligences, one of which is visual/spatial intelligence. This type of intelligence refers to spatial judgment and the ability to visualize the mind’s eye. We use visual intelligence to memorize maps, put together puzzles, or navigate space.

Why Are Visual Supports Important?

Visual supports help children with autism interact with their surroundings. It can give them a sense of autonomy and help them make choices or express needs. Furthermore, visual aids help kids comprehend daily rhythms and open lines of communication between children and their caregivers. Through visual aids, a child can learn how to express ideas, personalities, and desires in non-verbal ways. As a result, it improves social skills.

Everyone with autism has difficulty with spoken language. While some don’t use spoken language, others that can use spoken language find it difficult to translate spoken words into meaningful words. Even students with strong language skills cannot function effectively without support.

Visuals make it easier for children with autism to understand what’s being taught without rapidly making sense of spoken words. In addition, some people with autism are literal in thinking, so abstract concepts can be challenging to understand.

Since individuals with autism also like routines, a slight schedule change can trigger a meltdown. Furthermore, the routines for work or school are not obvious all the time. Visual schedules make routines easier to follow and predict.

How to Make a Visual Schedule

Making your own visual schedule is easy to do. As we’ve mentioned earlier, the visual schedule will look different for each child, depending on the child and goals. You can make visual schedules by taking photos with a camera, cutting out pictures from magazines, or buying inexpensive visuals.

Tip: When taking photos, keep the background to a minimum. The subject should be the photo's focal point; otherwise, the busy background can distract the person with autism.

When creating a visual schedule, you also have to remember to:

  • Identify the target routine or skill: You can use a visual schedule if you want to make the morning routine easier. You need to break down activities into achievable steps.
  • Find the right visual style: It all depends on your child’s preferences. For example, some prefer to see pictures of themselves doing the task, while others prefer a text list. Test different forms and find one that works.
  • Include different activities: Children like rewards, so you can offer something in return to complete a long list of tasks. This can be reading or playing for a few minutes. Having something to work towards will motivate the child.
  • Keep the schedule accessible: The schedule should be somewhere your child can always see it. Or they can carry it anywhere, even at school. A digital schedule on a smart device is a good option.
  • Involve your child: You can plan the day with your child to develop their decision-making skills. It will give them a sense of ownership over their life and prepare them mentally for the next day.

Other Tips

It’s good to use the same type of visual schedule at home and school. Talk to your teacher on how to accommodate your child’s needs and plan more easily. For those unfamiliar with a visual schedule, these tips will help you:

  • Determine the right length: Children with autism have unique needs. Some children will use an all-day schedule, while others need to break their day into smaller periods. It’s a trial and error process.
  • Outline expectations: Visual aids can help children with autism achieve several goals and milestones, such as getting on the school bus. Have a clear goal in mind when making the schedule.
  • Give verbal cues: You can nudge your child towards the next step in their schedule. It can be a simple reminder to look for what's next; you can stop when they learn what to do.
  • Give space for changes: It's best to keep surprises at a minimum. While you can't control what's happening and the schedule might change, allow room for unexpected events.

When Do You Stop Using Visual Supports?

You don't. All people need some sort of visual tool to keep themselves organized and create schedules. We never stop using calendars on our phones or shopping without a list. People with autism don't stop using some visual strategies either. It's important to change the type of schedule you use as your child grows to make it age-appropriate and blend in with peers.

Here are some examples of visual supports:

Popular software that generates visual aids:

  • Communicate: SymWrite is a program that matches symbols to words. It helps students of all abilities and ages increase fluency and comprehension. SymWriter is equipped with symbol-supported grids for writing.
  • Boardmaker (Mayer Johnson) is a popular software that generates Picture Communication Symbols (PCS). It uses line drawings rather than photos; however, it doesn’t work for every child.
  • PictureSET offers a collection of downloadable visual supports. The vast database allows you to search for useful visuals for different activities and events.

Also Read: Social Stories & How They Help Autistic Kids.