Using Visual Supports to Teach
Independent Behavior
Presenters:
Ashley Schnittker and Suzy Dees
Visual Strategies -- Targets
• Awareness of the research validity regarding
the use of visual strategies
• Identify a variety of types of visual strategies
to use with students
• Determine where and when to use visual
strategies
• Walk away with a tool-kit of visual strategy
resources to use next year
ASD Processing Skills
• Strengths: Visual Processing
• Weakness: Auditory
What is a visual schedule?
An visual schedule is comprised of objects, pictures and/or
words that:
• show the sequence of steps needed to complete an
activity
• list the occurrences of daily events (daily routine)
• provide structure for unstructured down time (play)
Schedules
Schedules may be objects, pictures only, pictures with
text, or just text
This will depend on the child’s level of functioning
A picture activity schedule can often be faded to a
written schedule as the child learns to read
Purpose of Visual Schedules
• To increase on-task behavior
• To decrease inappropriate behaviors
• To facilitate smooth transitions from one activity to the
next
• To enhance acquisition of new skills
• To increase independence
• To promote self-management
• Video: The Importance of Visual Schedules
Types of Visual Representations
Concrete
Real Object
Pretzel on a
card
Miniature
of real
objects
Abstract
TOBI (True
Object
Based
Icons)
Picture
Real
Drawing
Line
Drawing
(Black and
White/color
Text
Object Schedule
Multiple Representation Systems
Real Objects
Photograph
TOBI
Line
Drawing
Reinforcer
All Done Pocket
First/Then Schedules
(home and school)
• For especially challenging transitions at
school, an “First/Then” mini schedule can be
used
FIRST
THEN
Transition Cards
Clip Board
Clip Board
Binder
Across School Settings
• Cafeteria – use tape to X seat or to place
boundries
• GYM class – use a schedule on the wall with
an all done folder
– Follow the board. Students with ASD don’t argue
with a board.
Visual Schedules
Courtesy of www.do2learn.com
Pinterest Idea
Pinterest Idea #2
Schedule Change
Car Rides
Daily Living Skills
~ Toileting ~
Visual Schedules
Across All Ages
Adult use of schedules include:
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“To do” lists (Smart Phones)
Microsoft Outlook calendar
Teachers’ lesson plans, agendas
Cookbooks, IKEA instructions
Schedules and Visuals for Older
Students
SLANT
Physical Structure
Visual Boundaries
Visual Boundaries
Build your own divider:
http://www.diyphotography.net/diy_studio_eq
uipment_backdrop_stand
Line UP
Social Narratives
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My name is Jacob. I am in the second grade. Sometimes the children in my class stand in a line.
The children in my class stand in a line when we are getting ready to go to another part of the school like the lunchroom or
the library.
The children in my class walk in a line to move safely in the halls. If another group of students are walking in the hall going in
a different direction, our class and their class can pass one another easily. That's why teachers have asked children to walk in
lines for many years. It is a safe and orderly way to move groups of children through the school building.
Sometimes I am the line leader. This means that the other children in my class will walk behind me. Sometimes I am second,
or third, or last, or maybe I'm somewhere in the middle of the line.
Many children in my class like to be the line leader. My teacher knows who the line leader is each day. Teachers know about
being fair and try to make sure each child gets a turn to be the line leader.
It's important to follow directions about who is line leader. My turn to be line leader again gets closer every time the
children in my class walk in a line!
Adapted from The Gray Center, http://www.thegraycenter.org.
Social Story given to Kira when we introduced her token system at the
beginning of the year:
I will not hit, bite, kick or pinch other people. When I hit, bite, kick or
pinch others, it hurts and it is wrong. It makes people mad and me and
not want to be my friend. If I am mad or if something is bothering me, I
will say, “I don’t understand” or “I am mad” or “Please leave me alone”.
Telling people what is wrong is okay.
I can earn yellow “thumbs up” tickets in my classes. I can earn 2 tickets
in each class. If I follow all of the rules and don’t hit, bite, kick or pinch, I
will earn both tickets. But if I don’t follow the rules, I will either earn 1
ticket or maybe no tickets.
I can use my tickets to earn prizes, such as a soda, a candy bar,
something from the classroom store, and even tickets to sporting events
or a Normal West t-shirt!
Comic Strip Conversations ™
• Video
Power Cards
• Visual aids that incorporate a child’s special
interest to help promote an understanding of
social situations, hidden curriculum items,
routines, organizational skills and transitions.
Power Cards:
• A brief scenario that deals with a situation that is difficult for a child
• Written in first person from the perspective of a child’s hero and describe
how the hero solves the problem.
• A small card recaps how the child can use the same strategy to solve a
similar problem of her own.
Power Cards-Social Script
• Will Smith is a cool guy who has made a lot of movies. It takes a lot of
people doing many jobs to make a good movie. Sometimes Will or others
make mistakes on the movie set. Will Smith stays calm when he or
someone else makes a mistake. If he needs to, he asks for help. Will Smith
knows that everyone make mistakes.
• Will would like everyone to remember to stay calm when mistakes happen,
to ask for help if it is needed, and that EVERYONE makes mistakes!
Power Cards
Calming Strategies
Incredible 5 Point Scale
Restate the question
I think/ I feel…
This reminds me of…
The text says…
When Mrs. Kintner hands me the Doodlebot:
I will know that it is time to tell the class:
Mrs. Kintner needs to give us directions or
teach us how to do something. While she is
talking we all need to listen quietly!!
When Mrs. Kintner asks for
the Doodlebot back I know
that it is time for us to get to
work? I will say to everyone:
Please get to work now!!!
Apps for Self Regulation
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Calm Counter
SOSH
MeMoves
Touch and Learn – Emotions: by Innovative Mobile Apps
ABA Flash Cards and Games Emotions: by Alligator Apps
Emotions: by Kindergarten.com
Autism Emotion by Model Me Kids
AutismXpress
Autism 5 point Scale EP
Shrinky: Anxiety
Ambiance
Relaxation Melodies
Soundscape
Pocket Pond
Fluidity
Fluid Monkey
Marine Aquarium
Wrap Up
• Stand and Deliver
• Complete your pre-post assessment
• Complete Evaluation Form
Lovethiskidbookstudy@wikispaces.com
References
Lynn E. McClannahan, L.E. & Krantz, P.J. (1998). Activity schedules for children with
autism: Teaching independent behavior. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
Bryan, L.C. & Gast, D.L. (2000). Teaching on-task and on-schedule behaviors to highfunctioning children with autism via picture activity schedules. Journal of Autism
and Developmental Disorders, 30, 553-567.
Dooley, P. (2001). Using an activity schedule to smooth school transitions. Journal of
Positive Behavior Interventions, 3, 57-62.
Stokes, Susan. Structured Teaching: Strategies for Supporting Students with Autism.
Under contract with CESA 7 and funded by a discretionary grant from the
Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
http://www.specialed.us/autism/structure/str10.htm
Autism Internet Modules (2013) . www.autisminternetmodules.org. OCALI ESC of
Central Ohio.
Michelle Garcia Winner (2007) Thinking About You Thinking About Me.
www.socialthinking.com
Sarah Ward, M.S., CCC/SLP and Kristen Jacobensen, M.S., CCC/SLP (2013).
www.cognitivetherapyconnections.com
Understanding Time
• A Wondertime Clock: Sarah Ward
• www.executivefunctiontherapy.com
• Timetimer
Time Estimates Examples
Task
Guess Time
Eating Lunch
Playing video Games
Getting ready for school
Doing our math homework
From Michelle Garcia Winner 2009
Actual Time
Assignments/Student Instruction
Visual Organization for Worksheets
= Go to next problem. Teacher will help later.
Apps for Organization and
Transition Skills
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ChoiceWorks
First – Then visual Schedule
Video Scheduler
Time Timer
Visual Timer HD
iSee-quence
ToDo
Video Modeling/ Video SelfModeling
Benefits of Video Modeling
Video Modeling
Video Modeling
• iMovie (4.99)