Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
Dubai 2011
Helping Visual Learners succeed
Typically, children with autism process visual information easier than auditory information.
Some children may need different visual representation systems in different situations. This
may be dependent upon numerous factors, such as the skill being taught, as well as the unique
Characteristics of autism: attending, organization, distractibility, etc...
This lecture will discuss how various modes of Visual Strategies /Techniques can be used for
children with autism or other learning difficulties, in order to increase or improve their:
Overall understanding of their environment; Expressive communication skills; Social
interaction skills; Attention skills; Motivation skills; Organization skills; Academic skills;
Self help skills; Overall independent daily functioning skills.
Activity 1: Ask yourself and your child what comes to mind when you hear the word
dog. Some people see a picture of the animal; hear a bark, while others visualize the
animal dog. Those who see a picture of a dog in their minds or see the letters are
probably visual. While those who hear the barks are probably auditory learners. Those
who feel the soft fur of a dog are probably kinaesthetic.
Activity 2: Spell words suitable to your child's reading level. After spelling the word(s),
write the answer(s) and check your dictionary for the spelling and spell the word(s) out
loud.
Example: If new spelling words are presented by calling out the letter, visual learners
would not be able to picture the word, if however, they are printed on a blackboard in
addition to being said out loud, visual learners would see the way the word looks so they
could remember it more easily. Kinaesthetic learners might remember better by
manipulating letter blocks to make the word, or creating a word poem or crossword
puzzle.
Learning is reflected in the way we respond to environmental, social, emotional and physical
stimuli, to understand new information. Learning style is defined as the way that information
is processed. It focuses on strengths, not weaknesses. There is no right or wrong learning
style; most children show a preference for one of the following basic learning styles: visual,
auditory, kinaesthetic/ manipulative. It is not uncommon to combine the primary and
secondary learning styles.
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Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
Dubai 2011
There are three different ways we learn. We either learn by seeing (visual), hearing
(auditory), or doing (kinaesthetic). Sometimes students use a combination of two or more of
these learning styles.
Visual learners tend to:
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Write things down as a way of remembering.
Overreact to sounds or be easily distracted by noise
Hold images in his head. A visual learner can literally see the passage from a page in
a book in his mind’s eye.
Often misinterpret words. Sometimes he simply may not get the joke.
Notice details. Visual learners are very tuned in to similarities and differences.
Are organized.
Would rather watch, than talk or do.
Memorize things.
Have trouble following verbal directions.
Remember faces better than names.
Have a strong sense of colour and be very colour-oriented.
For example, visual-learning students will sometimes struggle during essay exams,
because they can't recall test material that was "heard" in a lecture.
However, if the visual learner uses a visual aid when studying, like a colourful outline
of test materials, s/he may retain more information. For this type of learner, visual
tools improve the ability to recall information more easily.
A simple explanation of learning styles is this: Some students remember best
materials they've seen; some remember things they've heard, while others remember
things they've experienced.
Visual Learner Characteristics
Visual learners learn by watching. They call up images from the past when trying to
remember. They picture the way things look in their heads.
Visual learners are those who learn through seeing things. Look over the characteristics
below to see if they sound familiar to you. Your child may be a visual learner if s/he is
someone who:
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Is good at spelling but forgets names.
Needs quiet study time.
Has to think awhile before understanding lecture.
Is good at spelling.
Likes colours & fashion.
Dreams in colour.
Understands/likes charts.
Is good with sign language.
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Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
Dubai 2011
Learning Suggestions for Visual Learners
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Draw a map of events in history or draw scientific process.
Make outlines of everything!
Copy what's on the board.
Ask the teacher to diagram.
Diagram sentences!
Take notes, make lists.
Watch videos.
Colour code words, research notes.
Outline reading.
Use flashcards.
Use highlighters, circle words, underline.
Best Test Type for Visual Learners:
Diagramming, reading maps, essays (if studied using an outline), showing a process.
Worst test type:
Listen and respond tests (auditory tests).
Auditory Learner Characteristics
Auditory learners tend to spell phonetically. They can sometimes have trouble reading,
because they don't visualize well. These students learn by listening and remember facts when
they are presented in the form of a poem, song or melody.
Auditory learners are those who learn best through hearing things. Look over these traits to
see if they sound familiar to you. Your child may be an auditory learner if s/he is someone
who:
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Likes to read to self out loud.
Is not afraid to speak in class.
Likes oral reports.
Is good at explaining.
Remembers names.
Notices sound effects in movies.
Enjoys music.
Is good at grammar and foreign language.
Reads slowly.
Follows spoken directions well.
Can't keep quiet for long periods.
Enjoys acting, being on stage.
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Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
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Dubai 2011
Is good in study groups.
Auditory Learners Can Benefit from:
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Using word association to remember facts and lines.
Recording lectures.
Watching videos.
Repeating facts with eyes closed.
Participating in group discussions.
Using audiotapes for language practice.
Taping notes after writing them.
Best test type:
Auditory Learners are good at writing responses to lectures they've heard. They're also good
at oral exams.
Worst test type:
Reading passages and writing answers about them in a timed test.
Kinaesthetic Learner Characteristics
Kinaesthetic learners learn best through movement and manipulation. They like to find out
how things work and are often successful in the practical in the arts, such as carpentry or
design.
Kinaesthetic learners are those who learn through experiencing/doing things. Look over these
traits to see if they sound familiar to you. Your child may be a kinaesthetic learner if s/he is
someone who:
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Is good at sports.
Can't sit still for long.
Is not great at spelling.
Does not have great handwriting.
Likes science lab.
Studies with loud music on.
Likes adventure books, movies.
Likes role playing.
Takes breaks when studying.
Builds models.
Is involved in martial arts, dance.
Is fidgety during lectures.
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Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
Dubai 2011
Kinaesthetic Learners Can Benefit from:
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Studying in short blocks.
Taking lab classes.
Role playing.
Taking field trips, visiting museums.
Studying with others.
Using memory games.
Using flash cards to memorize.
Best Test Type:
Short definitions, fill-ins, multiple choices.
Worst Test Type:
Long tests or essays.
Strategies for helping visual learners succeed in school:
Practice reading by:
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Putting each letter on a card and have students arrange words.
Putting words on cards and have students arrange into sentences.
Putting sentences on paper strips to teach sequencing and paragraphing.
Showing the visual patterns in words (i.e., word families)
Practice other subjects by:
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Using visuals to teach lessons, including pictures, graphics, images, charts, outlines,
story maps, and diagrams.
When giving verbal directions write down key words or phrases and use visuals.
Demonstrate what you want your child to do.
Use dry erase boards with coloured markers.
Use colour cues, framing and symbols to highlight key information.
Encourage your child to write down and highlight key information.
Encourage the use of flashcards when memorizing (i.e., math facts).
Provide visual activities, including maps, videos, models, puzzles, matching activities,
computers, and word searches
These techniques can help your child use this learning style to his/her advantage and
maximize motivation in the classroom/home.
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Dr. Chafica Mansour Gharbieh
Dubai 2011
Always support new vocabulary learning with the written word (or picture, symbol/sign).
This gives the child a visual pattern for the word which will help in accurate storage and
retrieval.
Example:
Effective vocabulary teaching will make an enormous difference to the child’s ability to
understand and participate in topic based sessions. The child is more likely to retain the
words taught if a systematic approach is taken. Teacher/parent should:
 Identify key words for a topic.
 Find pictures/objects to match the key words.
 Introduce key words before talking about the topic in details.
 Use written word with the pictures or signs.
 Talk about the pictures, pointing out visual salient information
 Give extra information about meaning such as associations.
 Find pictures of things that go together. Find the odd one out from a set of pictures.
 Reinforce in the topic lessons
 Revise the vocabulary until words are fully established.
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