Visuals are important for EVERYONE. They help us navigate our day, engage in the world around us, and create more independence. Most educators already know using visual supports for students with autism is important. We have heard it again and again. But why are they so important and how do we actually use these visuals in a functional way that makes an impact with our students? Over the next few weeks we will address the importance of providing visuals, how to use visuals in the classroom and how to teach the visuals so students know what they mean and can use them independently.

1) Visuals are permanent: Words are easily forgotten, but visuals are static. They can be put on display and accessible by everyone. They also give our students something to reference if they forget.

2) Visuals allow time for language processing: Oftentimes, our learners have slower processing time when it comes to verbal language. Visuals help support comprehension of a verbal message and also summarize information into smaller chunks that can be easier to understand.

3) Visuals prepare students for transitions: We have gone in-depth about the importance of schedules for our students. Schedules display the events and activities planned for the day so the student knows what to expect and how to be prepared for the transitions.

4) Visuals help kids see what you mean: A visual representation can be helpful for students who are still learning what different words and concepts mean.

5) Visuals help build independence: When we provide visuals and teach students how to use them, we are fading ourselves out as support and replacing that support with visuals, which all people use.

6) Visuals are transferable between environments and people: The same visual can be used at school, at home and in the community. Regardless of where they are the meaning doesn't change.

7) Visuals have no attitude: But people can and do.

8) Visuals help reduce anxiety: By doing all of the above things!

9) Visuals help all students: And adults! We all use visuals to navigate our lives.

There are three main types of visuals: visual schedules, visual boundaries and visual cues. We've spent the last month discussing different visual schedules and how we can define our classroom spaces using visual boundaries. Visual cues include any visual that lets a student know what is expected.

Visuals should go where they are needed and be easily accessible

Put visuals in the locations students will need to access them. Adhere them in a way to make them easy to remove and use in the moment.

Visuals need to be individualized

Not all visuals will look the same. The visuals chosen will depend on your learners. Some students may have more success with a picture of themselves or a real picture of a place or object rather than clipart. Additionally, visuals should reflect the different cultures and races in your classroom. Creating visuals that reflect our students shows learners they are seen and valued.

Visuals need to be age appropriate

If there is a person in your visual, make sure they are of similar age to your student. This is especially important for our secondary students.

Use visuals to label the rooms and supplies

Labeling the classroom and supplies increases student independence in navigating their learning environment and accessing necessary materials.

Use visuals to set boundaries in the classroom

Visual boundaries show a student where an area is located and the borders of the space, which can help students understand the expectation of staying in an area.

Create visual schedules

Visual schedules help students transition throughout their day more independently.

Use visuals to give directions

Visuals can help support comprehension of directions and is also a way to fade out verbal cues.

Use visuals for communication

Visuals help support language development and provide a way for students to communicate wants, needs and ideas in their classrooms.

Use visuals to show the order of events and routines

Break down activities and routines into individual steps to support work completion. For example, you can create a breakfast routine visual that shows the students the different steps from getting their food to cleaning up their space when they are finished .

Use visuals to show expectations

Create visuals for the expectations in your classroom in order to make them concrete, static and accessible at all times.

Visuals are not magic wands

Visuals are tools; like all tools, they need to be taught. We will talk about how to teach visuals next week!

You can find additional visuals for your routines and expectations on the STAR Media Center. Click on "Routine Essentials" to find visuals related to the different routines your students engage in through out the day.

The next Tuesday Tips + Tricks will cover how to teach students the visuals.

1. Creating a classroom layout that is visually and physically defined ✔️
2. Providing, teaching and using schedules for EVERYONE✔️
3. Providing, teaching and using visual supports
4. Explicitly teaching routines and expectations

Check out Fall in the Forest in Theme's First! Theme units include original songs, books, and activities that support students’ skill development and generalization with content that’s fun, accessible, and theme-based. These monthly units now include an expanded Social Studies suite, containing fun, theme-related activities that reinforce cultural engagement. Included in all Themes First! units are lessons, activities, and worksheets for group and independent work at a wide range of levels.

Date/Time: October 25th, 2023 from 4:00-5:00 PM

Where: Virtual

Description: Take your classroom set up a step further by setting up structured centers in your classroom. Topics include different types of centers, setting up each center, teaching students to rotate through centers, and teaching paras to run centers.1CEU will be provided.

Feel free to contact me for any questions or concerns via email or phone. I'm also available to chat via Zoom Mondays from 7:30-8:00 AM and 3:00-3:30 PM. If these times do not work for your schedule, please email me and we will find a time that will work for both of us.

Use the link below to ask questions about this week's Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks and/or give suggestions on future topics.

Tuesday Tips 'N' Tricks is made possible by Minnesota Low Incidence Projects