8 Types of Visual Supports to Enhance Understanding in Speech Delayed Children

Visual supports can be incredibly beneficial for children who are minimally verbal, struggle with transitions or changes, are working towards task completion, or experience anxiety around change. Here’s a guide for parents on how to use different types of visual supports to help your child.

Social Stories

A Social Story is a short, descriptive story that walks your child through a day or situation step-by-step. These are particularly useful for events that are out of the ordinary or not part of your daily routine. Social Stories can also help your child become more familiar with day-to-day expectations.

Examples include:

• Going to the doctor

• Attending church

• Taking family photos

• Meeting a friend at the park

Visual Schedules

A Visual Schedule uses pictures or symbols to show the order of events or activities. This helps reduce your child’s anxiety by letting them know exactly what to expect and helps set clear expectations. Visual Schedules can be used for:

• Morning routines

• Daycare routines

• Therapy sessions

• Playtime

First-Then Boards

First-Then Boards show what activity comes first and what will happen next, providing clear structure. They are especially helpful when transitioning between a non-preferred activity and a preferred one. For example:

• First: Finish homework

• Then: Playtime

Visual Timers

Visual Timers help with transitions or completing non-preferred tasks by showing the passage of time. You can use them to indicate how long an activity will last or how much time is left before transitioning to the next activity. Examples include:

• “In 5 minutes, we are leaving the park.”

• “It’s time to clean up toys for 1 minute.”

You can use a timer on your phone, a visual timer app, or a physical visual timer.

Choice Boards

Choice Boards allow children to make decisions by providing them with limited options, giving them some control over their environment. For example:

- “Do you want to play with blocks or draw?”

This can be particularly empowering for children who need to feel a sense of autonomy.

Advanced Visual Supports

Communication Boards

Communication Boards display a variety of pictures or symbols representing wants, needs, feelings, and more. They help non-verbal or minimally verbal children express themselves. For instance, a child can point to a picture of a cup to indicate they are thirsty.

Token Boards

Token Boards are used to reward good behavior. A child earns tokens (like stickers, stars, or checkmarks) for completing tasks or displaying good behavior. Once they earn a certain number of tokens, they can exchange them for a reward.

Emotion Cards

Emotion Cards depict different emotions and help your child identify and communicate how they are feeling. These cards are useful once your child can recognize and understand their feelings. For example:

• A happy face for feeling joyful

• A sad face for feeling upset

Tips for Using Visual Supports

We have tried all these visual supports in our home, but remember that figuring out what works best for your child is part of the process. Here are some tips:

1. Trial and Error: Try different visual supports to see which ones your child responds to best.

2. Consistency: Use the new visual support consistently for at least a few weeks. It takes time for children to learn new routines and understand the purpose of these supports.

3. Observe and Adapt: Pay attention to your child’s reactions and behaviors. Adjust the visual supports as needed to better meet their needs.

Visual supports can be a game-changer in helping your child navigate their day with more confidence and less anxiety. Give these tools a try and see the positive changes they can bring.