Visual Aids
Visual aids can be used as a general classroom schedule, to structure a specific part of the school day, or to structure a
specific activity, such as going to the bathroom or completing a math assignment. They are helpful for all students but particularly helpful for students with FASD. Visual supports:
- Are generally very helpful at easing anxiety amongst children with receptive language and sensory processing difficulties
- Can be used for any activity, and for various time spans (e.g., one routine strip for the entire day, another routine strip for morning at preschool, another routine strip for circle time at preschool, another routine strip for toileting)
- Use photographs or picture symbols (depends on whether a child is able to comprehend abstract pictures or needs more concrete photographs)
- Should be in a visible place so that the child has easy access and will remember the location
- Should have a universal “no” symbol (i.e., a red circle with a line through the middle) to indicate if an activity will not be taking place (rather than simply removing the picture as though that activity or object no longer exists), as well as a symbol to be used n the event that an unscheduled activity will occur (e.g., a question mark, followed by a
picture representing the unscheduled activity).
- Are generally very helpful at easing anxiety amongst children with receptive language and sensory processing difficulties
- Can be used for any activity, and for various time spans (e.g., one routine strip for the entire day, another routine strip for morning at preschool, another routine strip for circle time at preschool, another routine strip for toileting)
- Use photographs or picture symbols (depends on whether a child is able to comprehend abstract pictures or needs more concrete photographs)
- Should be in a visible place so that the child has easy access and will remember the location
- Should have a universal “no” symbol (i.e., a red circle with a line through the middle) to indicate if an activity will not be taking place (rather than simply removing the picture as though that activity or object no longer exists), as well as a symbol to be used n the event that an unscheduled activity will occur (e.g., a question mark, followed by a
picture representing the unscheduled activity).