by Beth Poss MA, CCC-SLP (Speech-Language Pathologist)

reading time: 3 minutes

This month we welcome Beth Poss to the NWACS blog. She currently works as the Director of Educational Programs for LessonPix. The views expressed in this post are that of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the views and policies of NWACS. No endorsement by NWACS is implied regarding any device, manufacturer, resource, or strategy mentioned.

I am here to admit, without embarrassment, that I am truly addicted to visual supports. I use and create visual schedules and other tools daily, both for me and for learners and educators with whom I work. I feel lost without my calendar and my To Do list. And I am actually lost without my GPS, even to get to places that I have been to before (I have a horrible sense of direction!) I challenge you to find any independent adult who doesn’t use visuals on a regular, if not daily basis! Why are visuals so powerful? Take a look at my Top 10 Reasons to Use Visual Supports:

1. Visuals make the spoken word concrete.

2. Visuals last longer than spoken language.

3. Visuals help individuals transition from one task or location to another task or location.

4. Visuals can travel between environments.

5. Visuals can be used with or without technology.

6. Visuals can build independence.

7. Visuals can transcend receptive and expressive language differences.

8. Visuals can reduce anxiety.

9. Visuals have no tone or attitude.

10. Almost everyone uses visuals--not just learners with disabilities!

While many of these may seem obvious, let’s dig in a bit deeper into a few of these:

#2 Visuals last longer than spoken language

Spoken words are only there momentarily. Unless you are recording, there is no lingering trail that lets us get back to the words that were voiced. So, whether you were not paying full attention, or the directions were too complex for you to remember, with a visual you can look again, and again, and again.

#3 Visuals help individuals transition from one task or location to another task or location

Whether learners love or dread an upcoming change in their schedule, a visual shows what is coming. It can help prepare that learner for the transition they need to make. Going beyond a First/Then visual, a First/Until-For/Then visual can provide more information to support transitions. Letting learners know how much time they need to stay with a task (for) or the time that the next task starts (until) helps individuals understand the WHY behind an activity or length of participation requested. For more information on using this strategy check out Autism Level Up. You can also find 2 and 3 part First/Then templates on LessonPix.com.

#7 Visuals can transcend receptive and expressive language differences

Visuals support individuals who may have difficulty understanding or expressing themselves orally, whether because of:

• a language delay

• disability or

• for multilingual learners who are developing skills in a new language.

Choice boards, visual directions, and more can help overcome spoken language barriers that learners experience for a variety of reasons.

#8 Visuals can reduce anxiety

#9 Visuals have no tone or attitude

Visuals don’t care how many times a learner needs to see the directions. They don’t ever say, “I am busy, ask someone else!” Visuals are infinitely patient as learners repeatedly refer back to them for clarification. Together with the other reasons for using visuals, this can significantly reduce anxiety in students who have consistent access to a variety of visual supports across settings.

#10 Almost everyone uses visuals--not just learners with disabilities!

There is no need to fade most visual supports. Although they can be refined as learners develop literacy skills. Learners may then incorporate, into their repertoire of resources, tools such as:

• traditional planners

• calendars

• smartphones

• digital calendars

• smart watches

Whether light-tech or high-tech (#5 Visuals can be used with or without technology), most of us depend on visual schedules and supports throughout our day. Providing visuals to ALL learners helps them tackle challenges and develop effective, lifelong executive functioning skills.

For a wide variety of visual support templates and ready-made resources, check out LessonPix.com.