USING VISUAL STRATEGIES IN THE CLASSROOM
Many researchers and authors such as Grandin (1995), Attwood (2007), Hodgdon, (2001) Lal & Bali (2007) and Kuder (2008) all conclude that visual strategies are essential in helping students to understand and process information. Visual supports and strategies help prepare, reinforce, and assist students to understand information.
Who will benefit?
Students with…
Who will benefit?
Students with…
- Communication delays;
- Learning disabilities;
- Behaviour/emotional disorders;
- ASD (Autistic Spectrum Disorder);
- English language needs;
- Emerging literacy skills;
- Brain Injury;
What does it look like?
How do visual strategies assist students?
What is the Communication Symbol Hierarchy used for visual strategies?
Where are visual strategies used in an educational setting?
Everywhere! including the:
- Helps to prepare students for what is going to occur;
- Can help reduce stress/anxiety (for both parties);
- Helps to reinforce given information/instructions;
- Helps students to understand parts of instructions such as first, next, finish;
- Helps to establish and maintain attention;
- Establishes a framework for sequential and structured information/directions;
- Facilitates intentional communication processes;
- Facilitates any changes in routines (important in ASD).
What is the Communication Symbol Hierarchy used for visual strategies?
- Real objects;
- Tangible symbols;
- True object based icons;
- Coloured photos;
- Black & White Photos;
- Line Drawings;
- Picture communication symbols;
- Text with pictures;
- Text and letters.
Where are visual strategies used in an educational setting?
Everywhere! including the:
- Front office;
- Assembly area;
- Classrooms eg timetables, schedules, to make choices and requests, protesting and rejecting, behaviour regulation, subjects specific support, incentive charts, cooking & life skills, facilitate feedback;
- Student's desk;
- Activities undertaken during Community Based Learning;
- Toilets;
- Sporting facilities;
- Home environment.