Students with autism can be a challenging addition to any classroom if the proper supports are not in place. It is important for teachers to consider the characteristics that students with autism often display when deciding on strategies that can support classroom success. One of the most effective ways to help individuals with autism navigate their way through the school day is by incorporating the use of visual strategies. One might ask why visual supports are so effective for students with autism. To understand the answer to this question, it is helpful to review some prominent characteristics of individuals who live with autism spectrum disorders.
Highly Visual Learners
Perhaps the most compelling rationale for using visual strategies is this: Children with autism are highly visual learners, essentially processing much of their information by “thinking in pictures.” As such, using visuals to organize a child’s instructional, communication and social environments can alleviate a significant amount of anxiety and frustration that individuals with autism often feel.
Easily Overstimulated by Sound
Frequently, children with autism become overstimulated by the abundance of sounds that surround them. Unlike “typical” children, those with autism may be unable to filter out environmental sounds. Focusing attention on a teacher giving directions amidst the shuffling of papers, tapping of pencils, whispering and laughing of students, humming of the florescent lights, and the myriad of other surrounding sounds can be a daunting and overwhelming experience for a child with autism.
The use of visual cues allows a teacher to express expectations without having to use an abundance of verbiage. Using excessive spoken language in an already noisy environment may essentially sound like Mrs. Donovan, the beloved teacher of Charlie Brown, to a child on the autism spectrum.
Deficits in Language and Communication
One of the primary diagnostic characteristics of autism is a marked deficit in language and communication skills. Students with autism exhibit challenges with both receptive and expressive language; that is, they may have difficulties processing information which is spoken to them as well as difficulty expressing their own needs, wants, or feelings to others. Incorporating visual supports that assist learners with autism with such language and communication deficits is a strategy that reduces frustration and increases the ability of students to interact with their social environment.
Preferences for a Structured Environment
Children with autism thrive in highly structured environments. The need for these students to understand schedules, rules, expectations, and processes is an important consideration when planning environmental supports. Using visual cues and supports in the form of schedules help students with autism to understand and anticipate transitions that occur throughout the day. Visual rules displayed in the classroom are a reminder of the expectations that all students are expected to follow. Incorporating visuals to help maintain structure and routine in the classroom environment can help students to plot a course towards successful participation in school activities.
The characteristics typically displayed by children diagnosed with autism denote the successful and highly effective implementation of visual supports. Teachers in inclusive or self-contained classroom settings who work with students on the autism spectrum can successfully support their students by incorporating visual cues in a variety of ways. Consequently, investigating and implementing a variety of visual strategies for students with autism is a worthwhile investment in time and energy. The payoff in the end is increased student independence and success.
References:
Grandin, T. (2006). Thinking in pictures. New York, NY: Vintage Press.
McClannahan, L.E., Krantz, P.J., (1999). Activity schedules for children with autism: Teaching independent behavior. Bethesda, MD: Woodbine House.
Nelly Dixon - As a parent of a teenager with autism and an experienced special ed teacher and autism consultant, Nelly has a wealth of personal and ...
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