Visual Strategies for ASD Hosted by: Lake County ESE & UCF CARD Nov. 1, 2010 Lake Hills School

Visual Tool Mini Test Take a few minutes to complete the mini test and share your answers with a table partner.

Workshop Objective Our goal is to determine how we can use visual strategies to support communication and make a difference in the life of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Long Term Effects of Visual Strategies Do you gradually try to eliminate your use of visual tools? (Ex. A trip to the grocery store without a list; no calendar at home) Visual tools improve communication Visual tools reduce frustration Visual tools reduce behavior situations Visual tools do NOT prevent children from talking

Autism and Communication Remember: Communication is not just speech Communication involves: 1)Taking in information 2)Processing information 3)Storing information 4)Retrieving information 5)Sending information

Characteristics of Autism Social communication deficits Auditory problems Ritualistic behaviors Resistant to change Difficulty with new situations or tasks Lack generalization skills

Summary of Communication Skills in Autism Expressive Receptive Inefficient Ineffective Ineffective Poor understanding Idiosyncratic of auditory messages Perseveration Inefficient Echolalia Relative skill taking in visual information compared to auditory abilities

Learning Style of Autism The majority of children with autism are visual learners Think of these children as 90% visual and 10% auditory A primary part of autism is the social communication difficulties in expression and understanding

Ideas for Visual Strategies at Home Use the refrigerator as a “communication center” by storing magnetic visual tools to give your child information (a strip of self-stick, adhesive-backed magnet for photos or pictures) Create a family information center by posting a large calendar to give info about all family members (where people are going; when they will come home late; when they won’t be home; when regular events occur; when special events will occur; when company is coming, etc.)

More Visual Strategies for Home Invest in a little pocket size photo album to use to give your child information when you leave home. Include places you are going; choices to make; rules to follow; things to help changes or transitions Begin a collection of valuable visuals (a picture from a magazine, menu from a favorite restaurant, coupon for a certain store)

Home Strategies, continued…. Invest in a camera to capture what is real and meaningful for your child. Use the pictures when you talk about what is going to happen. Take photos of family and friends to prepare your child for visits and visitors Use the household tools that surround you (clocks, kitchen timers, TV guides, calendars, labels on packages)

Home Strategies, continued….. Help your child organize his space by using boxes and containers to sort, organize, and categorize. Label spaces and drawers. Organize other family member’s space, too. This helps to differentiate what is yours from what is not yours and eliminates opportunities for problems.

Home Strategies, continued… Give your child opportunity for activity by having him help find visuals, get them out, put them away, and carry them around. Have him hang things up, cross things off of the calendar or list & cut out coupons. Find things for your child to carry to help with transitions: a coupon for the store, clothing for the dry cleaner, etc.

Home Strategies, cont….. Assign specific places to keep visuals such as by the front door, in your purse or briefcase, in the glove box of the car, or in the specific room where you’ll be using something. Keep visuals in an easily-accessible place for your child. Keep visuals in the locations where you will need them.

Home Strategies, cont…… Start with ONE thing. One picture, photo, label, or sign is all you need to begin. Start with one thing and build your plan one piece at a time. USE the tools. Be a “collector” and a “doer”. Collect and use your visuals gradually. This will help you know what is working.

Home strategies, cont….. Teach your child how to use the visual tools by using them consistently when you communicate. This is essential to learn their value. Give your child responsibility by having him participate as much as possible in the creation and use of the visual tools.

Home Strategies, cont…… After understanding the concept, your child may actively let you know what else to add to the collection. Listen. They will tell you what they want and need. REMEMBER: Visual tools can enhance communication for the whole family, not just the child with special needs. Make it a family plan!

Questions & Concerns

Thank you for coming!