Visual

Supp
ort
Erendira Al

atorre

What are visual supports?

0 Visual supports are items such as pictures, videos,

checklist, etc. that support individuals with autism to

communicate, complete task, and layout schedules.
They promote independence and
0 Visual supports relay messages more concretely than
verbal messages.

Where to use visual supports?

0 Classroom
0 Home
0 Grocery store
0 Car
0 ANYWHERE!

0 Visual schedules could

be implemented in any
setting that individuals
with autism are in.

Why are visual supports

important?
0 Some of the challenges

that individuals with

autism have include
social interaction, use of
language, limited
interest, and repetitive
behaviors.
0 Visual supports can help
individuals with ASD in
the following
situations

0 First, individuals with

autism spectrum disorders

(ASD) may not understand
social cues or
appropriateness.
0 Second, individuals with
ASD have a difMicult time
understanding and
following spoken
instructions or expressing
their wants and needs.
0 Finally, changes in
routines could make some
individuals with autism
anxious, as well as
unfamiliar situations.

First-then board
0 A Mirst-then board is a

type of visual support

that shows something
the individual prefers
that will occur after the
completion of a task.

Visual Schedule
0 A visual schedule is

another form of visual

support that lays out a
students day or task
activity step by step.
0 The visual schedules may
vary depending in the
students needs. (e.g. some
students may need
pictures of each item on
the schedule and time of
the activities, others may
not.

Visual setting parameters

0 Visual setting

parameters are a use of

visuals to set clear
boundaries for items or
activities. These visual
supports are also used
to communicate
expected behaviors.

Closure
0 Visual supports reduce anxiety and non-desirable

behaviors and increase independence from verbal

prompts.
0 If an individual with ASD is having difMiculty with a
task or in an environment, think about how a visual
support could help and how to individualize it for the
student.