Using Visual Supports to Increase Independence at Home and at School. Shane Herriott, Ph.D., BCBA Heather (Wallace) Suarez, M.Ed.

Transcription

1 Using Visual Supports to Increase Independence at Home and at School Shane Herriott, Ph.D., BCBA Heather (Wallace) Suarez, M.Ed., BCBA

2 What are visual supports? Visual supports are: Tangible and visible ways to explain the unknown or abstract in a more concrete way Visual supports are not: PECS (The Picture Exchange Communication System)

3 Examples of Visual Supports Schedules/ Routines Helps students organize their time Gives students clear examples of beginnings and ends of activities Establishes expectations and reinforcement beforehand Can be used with all ages and in all environments

4 Examples of Visual Supports Schedules Circle Play a game Snack Outside Put on PJ s Brush teeth Read Book Go to Sleep

5 Examples of Visual Supports Play Plans or Cue Cards Provide structure to an open ended activity Establish guidelines for cooperation Help start an activity or conversation Can use pictures and/or written text Should be faded systematically and when appropriate

6 Help me boards

7 Play Leader/Play Helper

8 Starting a Conversation

9 Asking or Answering WH Questions

10 How old are you? Do you have a brother or sister? What is your favorite color? Where do you go to school? What color are your eyes? What do you like to play outside? Green Blue Brown Do you have a pet? What s your favorite food?

11 Play Script example for playing a board game Pick a game Tap your friend & say their name Ask them to play Do you want to play?? Play the game

12 Social Skills Play Plan

13 Examples of Visual Supports Social Stories Developed by Carol Gray Often written from perspective of student with ASD Deals with troubling/difficult situation that may be abstract for the child Gives social information student might be lacking

14 I m Moving My name is Sally. I m 5 years old. My family is getting ready to move to a new house. We will pack up all my toys, books, and clothes in boxes and bring them to the new house. In the new house I will live with my mommy, daddy, my sister!! All my toys, books, and clothes will come to the new house. I will have a new bedroom too!! I will sleep in the new bedroom!! I m happy to move to a new house.

15 Halloween is almost here!!

16 On Halloween... I put on my costume. sisters put on their costumes too My friends and It s fun to dress up in a costume! Then, I grab my trick-or-treat bag

17 I go trick-or-treating. I walk up to the door and ring the door bell. When someone answers the door, I say trick or treat I hold out my bag. candy in my bag. They put a piece of I say, thank you and go to another house

18 When I come home Then, I come home and show my candy to my Mom and Dad. I take off my costume and get ready for bed. Halloween was so much fun!

19 Examples of Visual Supports Self-Monitoring Checklist Is a visual reminder of expectation/ behaviors to have Helps children stay on task Less adult support is needed and gears children to monitoring their own behavior Can be use in a variety of situations and with a variety of behaviors

20 Goal! Yes No Did I follow directions? Did I ask a friend to play? Did I take turns with my friend? Did I stay with my friend? When I earn 4 I get If I don t earn 4 I can try again next time.

21 Planning ahead for a project Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Read 2 books on Frogs Write a list of all the things you learned about frogs Start my brainstorm web to start your story Write a rough draft of your story using your web Correct and re-write your story about frogs I did it. Give yourself a check I did it. Give yourself a check I did it. Give yourself a check I did it. Give yourself a check I did it. Give yourself a check

22 Why are visual supports important to children on the spectrum? Visual Perception is a strength for many children with ASD Visual supports are static Serve several functions An appropriate teaching tool that can easily be faded

23 When would I use visual supports? To help structure a child s day or specific time of day (i.e. a play date, school, or after school time) To explain a more abstract concept (social stories) To assist with time management and executive functioning (calendars, checklists) To provide concrete details of a consequence or cause/effect situation To help with transitions

24 Introducing visuals at home First, some tips.. Prioritize, where is the need? Teach/Introduce one at a time Give ample time and opportunities for learning and understanding Have a plan to fade visual supports

25 Introducing visuals at home - Social Use visuals to aid in conversation, social skills, and emotional regulation at home. Introduce in a neutral setting and state Start with one skill and build on it Make it interactive and fun (role play) Provide reinforcement Keep the lesson short

26 Introducing Visuals at home Community Outings Use visuals to aids in going to restaurants, community outings, and social events. Practice with the visuals prior to the outing Role play and/or read a book illustrating a similar situation Use the visual as you are reinforcing the behavior Keep outing short and manageable Keep visuals handy even when you are fading them

27 Introducing Visuals at home - Adaptive Assess where your child needs support (i.e. completing the toileting routine, getting dressed) Create a visual Place visual in an appropriate location Model and walk through the visual by referencing the visual and completing the step Teach your child to reference the visual Use as little verbal prompting as possible Provide reinforcement once the activity is complete

28 Turn water ON Get soap Wash hands Turn water OFF Dry hands First Then

29 Making your own visuals Visuals are personalized for each child. They can be written words, pictures, or drawings. Assess what visual system may be best for your child You can use either a specific program (Boardmaker, PECS products) or clip art from your computer Create your visual on a Word Document Print, cut, and post depending on the use

30 Common Questions/Concerns I don t have the visuals when I actually need them I don t have the right visual to explain the situation There is too much paper/materials everywhere.i can t keep things organized

31 What other questions do you have?

32 Resources Boardmaker I pad Applications Icommunicate

33 Our Information Please contact us if you want further information about visuals, visual support, or have other questions about young children with ASD Heather Shane (206)