Whether you are new to supporting neurodivergent learners or not, you've likely come across the term visual supports before.
But, what does that mean exactly? What are visual supports?
Well, below you'll learn what they are, who benefits from them, how they work, and why they're important. So, let's dig in.
What are Visual Supports?
Visual supports are tools, images, items, or aids that are used to support understanding, communication, and learning by providing clear and concrete representations of tasks, concepts, or expectations.
Keep in mind that visual supports can take many forms. They can be simple or complex. They can be photos, videos, objects, drawings, or checklists. They can be posters, visual schedules, or communication cards. The possibilities are endless really. If want to see more examples, then I highly recommend checking out this list of different types of visuals.
Who Benefits from Visual Supports?
In short, everyone! That means that all kids can benefit from using visual supports, regardless of age, ability, or neurotype. After all, visual supports can cater to a wide range of learning styles and abilities. In other words, they support all learners.
Consider this: When you travel to a foreign country, you might not be able to read or speak their language. However, you know that that little airplane icon on a sign is pointing you towards the airport, right? That's because visuals can communicate so much and improve our understanding of things.
Now, obviously, our focus around here is on neurodivergent learners, particularly hyperlexic and autistic learners. For these types of learners in particular, visual supports are effective because they align with their strengths in reading and visual processing, while also supporting their weaker areas of comprehension, auditory processing, and verbal communication.
Remember, visual supports can benefit all kids though, not just hyperlexic or autistic learners.
How Do Visual Supports Work?
Visual supports can transform abstract concepts into something more tangible, accessible, and easier to process. For example, what's easier to understand: someone saying "five more minutes" or a visual timer that physically shows five minutes?
Also, visuals can simplify complex or abstract concepts into individual parts, making the information more concrete and digestible. Take this deodorant visual schedule, for instance, that transforms "put on deodorant" into its individual steps like removing the lid and then putting it back on when you're done.
Additionally, unlike spoken language that quickly disappears, visuals are static and permanent. That means that kids can refer back to them as much as they need and as often as they want.
Visuals can also help reduce ambiguity because they're clear and predictable. For instance, you don't have to rely on remembering what was said because you can reference the written instructions or the classroom's visual schedule for what's next.
Why are Visual Supports Important?
There are lots of benefits to using visuals. Yet, the short answer here is that visual supports are important because they enhance understanding, communication, and learning for ALL learners.
A Recap of The Basics of Visual Supports
Here's what was covered above regarding the basics of visual supports:
- Visual supports are tools that provide clear and concrete representations of tasks, concepts, or expectations
- They come in many forms from visual schedules and checklists to photos and posters
- They benefit all learners, regardless of age, ability, or neurotype, but are particularly helpful for our neurodivergent learners
- Visual supports are accessible, static, and clear, transforming abstract concepts into something easier to process
- They support understanding, communication, and learning for all learners
So, hopefully that helps answer the question what are visual supports?
