Visual Supports

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	Visual Supports

“If you’ve told a child a thousand times and he still does not understand,
then it is not the child who is the slow learner.”

Attributed to Walter Barbee

Many children, including those with autism, are visual learners. Because of this, we often find ourselves "bombarding" them with verbal instructions and/or information, with minimal success. Use of visual supports reduces this verbal input, and allows them to view the instructions or information as long as necessary.

“Visual supports organize a sequence of events, enhancing the student’s ability to understand, anticipate and participate in those events.

Visual supports supplement verbal instruction, clarifying the information for the student and increasing comprehension.

Visual supports can be used to cue communication, providing reminders of what to do and say in a situation.” Quill, 1995

Below, you will find links to files, and sites, which provide good information on the making and use of visuals.

Disclaimer
The information presented in this web site is provided as a source for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as a substitute for physician or therapist evaluation or treatment by a healthcare professional.

Related Files

Stay Calm, Stay Focused (zip file)
A zip file I made which includes a sensory story and other supports. (Word format)

Visual Supports Power Point (ppt file)
Gives a good description of why and how to use visual supports, as well as samples and links for resources.

Try New Foods-Word Format (zip file)
This is a social story that I created to help one of my autistic preschoolers to increase his food choices and preferences.

Trying New Foods-Boardmaker 6 Format (zip file)
A social story I created to help one of my autistic preschoolers increase his food choices and preferences.

NEED HELP DOWNLOADING:

	PPT file: You need Microsoft PowerPoint to view this file. Download a free PowerPoint viewer for PC or Macintosh. Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack for PowerPoint 2007 File Formats
	zip file: This is a "zip" file (a compressed data file), and you will need a data compression utility such as StuffIt Expander to open it. Download the free StuffIt Expander for PC or Macintosh.

Mayer-Johnson

Adapted Learning
This is a free web resource from Mayer-Johnson and DynaVox that combines file sharing, powerful search capabilities, implementation articles, open discussion forums, and community functions.

BoardMaker Group
This is a Yahoo Group for sharing ideas, visuals, and help. You must join, but it is free.

Building Blox
Task ideas and free visuals.

Bingo Games
Boardmaker bingo/lotto games

Teaching Learners with Special Needs
A blog with massive amounts of information and links

Adapted Books
The Baltimore CIty Schools site of many adapted books. Also other teacher/parent resources.

Miami-Dade School District Boardmaker Downloads
This page has many downloads, but the rest of the site also has other great ideas and resources.

Adapted Books
NYC Dept. of Education - more adapted books

Boardmaker files
BoardMaker Files and tutorials

Visual Supports
Listings of Boardmaker and other visual supports.

Label Maker
Free sign and label maker for classrooms

dk images
Image encyclopedia

Bingo Board Generator
Make your own bingo boards. Also includes images of various subjects for flashcards.

Success With Supports
Resouces for visual supports

SticKids
Information on this program which uses visuals to support children with sensory processing and sensory motor challenges.

Alternative Communication
Includes many visual supported activities and stories, including one for hurricane preparedness.

Notebook visual support
A pull-off piece notebook communication aid.

Red and Green Choices
Visual supports with behavioral strategies.

Yuichi's Games
BoardMaker Plus activities from a content developer for Mayer-Johnson.

Trisha's Mom-Boardmaker Sharing
Boards from a mom of a daughter with special needs.

Do2Learn
Resources for visual supports

Polk Co. Public Schools BoardMaker Resources
Lots of resources, activities, "how to's"

SET-Special Education Technology
Visual supports for many areas in school, home, and the community. All files in both PDF and Boardmaker format.

Teacher Created Resources-Montgomery Co. Schools
In both Windows and MAC files.

Ms. Sue's OT Room
Lamarque Elementary School, Sarasota School District