Welcome to the Visual Supports Series, where we will be exploring the concepts and purpose of visual supports, the types of visual supports we can use, creating visuals at home, and using technology to create visual supports. 

Visual supports represent a wide variety of tools and strategies that can assist in navigating a wide variety of needs. It is defined by AFIRM as “concrete cues used to provide the [individual] with information about routines, activities, or behavioral expectations.” 

AFIRM also shares a wide variety of studies affirming visual supports as an evidence-based practice across different age groups in educational settings. The purpose of this series is to explore the ways in which visual supports might be helpful in your own experience, whether at home or in an educational setting.

While we broadly agree with AFIRM’s characterization of how visual supports are used, we also feel it can be helpful to frame the concept of visual supports through the variety of areas it can assist us with. 

For the purposes of this blog post, we want to break it down into three broad categories: communicating, learning, and executive functioning. 

So let’s jump right in!

Communication challenges can come in lots of different varieties, and many have to do with either a lack of options or a lack of clarity. 

The right visual support for the right context can go a long way with aiding with communication. Visual supports can be valuable communication tools for both teachers and students in this regard. 

Teachers might find it helpful to establish a visual shorthand for specific situations so they can be practiced independently. 

Students who do not speak at times might find it helpful to have a small set of communication options for when their usual modes of communication are not working. They can serve as a repeated form of communication so that you do not need to repeat yourself all the time! If you find yourself in a situation where communication is a core issue, visual supports can be a big difference maker!

Learning goes hand in hand with communicating, but whereas communication-oriented visual tools are often associated with more everyday communication needs, visual supports in a learning context might exist to support a specific activity, text, or curriculum. 

Visual supports are already common in learning, from the periodic table of elements to watching a movie version of a book to experience the story in a different way. The types of visual supports that might come to mind when we use that term are just extensions of already accepted practices that more directly accommodate a wider variety of needs. 

So if you find that pictures really enhance a story for some students or including regular video clips really illustrates a concept better than just words or even if condensing a very big idea into an imperfect but helpful singular visual can make a big difference. 

Starting from the standpoint that working to facilitate learning for individuals is a positive goal can go a long way toward identifying the right tools to meet a variety of student needs!

One of the most valuable uses of visual supports is the way they can help us with our executive functioning across a variety of settings. 

In a school setting it might look like a visual schedule to remind everyone of their routine. At home, it might be a visual guide of how to properly brush your teeth to minimize risk of cavities. In your room, it might be a sign next to your computer that says do the laundry before you start playing Civilization VII. 

As with other forms of visual supports, one of the most valuable components of executive functioning visual supports is their flexibility to fit your needs or the needs of someone you are supporting. 

So if you find yourself struggling with getting a particular task done, whether by itself or as part of a routine, consider ways that a visual support might make the process easier!

We hope this introduction has offered a basic sense of the ways that visual supports can be used, either for yourself or for someone you are supporting. 

Stay tuned for Part 2, when we will take a closer look at specific types of visual support tools and ways you might implement them to fit your individual needs or the needs of someone you are supporting. 

In the meantime, if you’d like to share your own experience or advice about visual supports we would love to hear from you! Just drop us a line at hello@autismgrownup.com.