How do visual supports help autistic students?

The importance of visual supports for autistic people

Visual supports are essential to make communication easy for people on the spectrum. Pointing to figures representing feelings, actions, or objects can help to show their desires or needs. It enables interaction, helps to reduce stress, and increases independence and inclusion.

Many autistic people tend to have strong visual skills. According to pedagogue and psychometrician Beatriz Zeppelini, “many people with autism, who can express themselves verbally, have already stated that they learn more when information is visual. It happens because the brain area responsible for the visual part tends to work better in people with autism. Many have an excellent visual memory”, she says.

Remember: Visual supports should be simple, portable, durable, and personalized to each person according to their age, topics of interest, and specific needs.

How can visual supports assist students with autism?

• Illustrating the school rules and giving tips on how to get along with other classmates.

• Signaling the environments and clarifying what is expected of the student in each of these locations.

• Signaling the daily routine, showing what will happen throughout the day, such as which room they should be in for each class, time of each activity, etc. This prepares the child for the pace of school and avoids the stress caused by sudden changes.

• Illustrating all the steps involved in an activity or exercise. It will allow the child to have autonomy and independence to carry out what is proposed.

• Creating visual cues that help them find their way around school grounds: how to get to the bathroom, where they can go during break time, and the way to the library, for example.

• Organizing the notebooks, books, and exercises of different subjects with different colors, so that the child can easily find what they need. Labels for categorizing school supplies can also be helpful.

• Modifying the environment, leaving the visual tools always in sight, allowing the student on the spectrum to make choices, and express their feelings and needs. Do not store this feature in drawers or other places where children cannot reach it.

Remember: it is essential that visual supports change with age and are aligned with each person's cognitive abilities. Real photos or more discreet visuals may be more suitable for teenagers, youth, and autistic adults.

The advantages of using this resource in schools

• Improves communication and understanding
• Helps to socialize with colleagues
• Increases discipline
• Facilitates understanding of time
• Makes the child more autonomous and independent to carry out activities
• Decreases stress and stereotypies

Unfortunately, most of the difficulties that autistic children face at school are due to not having their way of learning respected or to a lack of information about what to do in different social situations. But when the school and teachers understand this and adapt, it promotes inclusion. 

After all, a respectful, empathetic, and accessible school for all people will create better citizens!

Learn more about Jade EDU, the software that enables an inclusive classroom

Jade Edu is an educational software that provides teaching activities for autistic students. The main objective of the tool is to help educators to develop teaching strategies adapted for autistic children, considering their difficulties and potential. Click here to learn more about this solution.