Tips For Using Visual Aids When Teaching An Autistic Child

Although it can be improved later on, people with autism can struggle in the department of communication quite a lot. This, in turn, makes it impossible for them to work their way into a social circle or curate a bond of friendship.

You can try to improve learning with a number of tools such as omega-3 supplements, therapy and by using visual aids. Keep reading to learn more about using visual aids to improve learning.

What Is Visual Support?

Visual support can be almost anything that’s visually readable or noticeable. They can range from pictures to sign languages. In some cases, normal texts or objects can also be used as visual support for an autistic person.

You can either learn how to offer visual support to your child or opt for a program dedicated to this subject. Here are a few options that you can choose from:

• Communicate: SymWriter: This program is all about improving your kid’s ability to comprehend a subject while writing something. Besides, it also focuses on the literary development of the kid and jots down a biography or a letter alone.
• Boardmaker: It generates PCS (Picture Communication Symbols) and other graphics to let your kid understand how a bus or a bird looks. But, it doesn’t show an accurate picture. Instead, it offers line drawings of an object with its name underneath.
• PictureSET: PictureSET provides an extensive collection of downloadable images that can be used for expressive and receptive communication. It also has a searchable database where you can look for particular objects altogether.

Is It Possible To Make Your Own Visual Support?

Although the aforesaid programs are helpful, they aren’t too budget-friendly. Hence, if you want, you can make your own visual support to help your child. Here’s how you can do it.

• Take photos of an object with a digital camera and write the name of the same under the image. It’ll help them remember about it for a prolonged time.
• Cut out a picture or two from any print media, like a calendar or a magazine, and give it to your child. Don’t forget to write the name of it as well.
• If you want to buy an inexpensive visual, you can try buying the same from a dollar store. Their collection is pretty huge and, thus, will help you find almost everything.

How To Use Visual Aids To Teach Your Child Properly?

Visual support can help in motivating your child and stimulating their attention. Besides, it also becomes easier for them to grasp a topic perfectly. However, for that, you have to use or create the visual support and strategize your moves correctly.

Here’s what you need to know about it.

• Use Real Images: When you’re teaching something to your child, using authentic images instead of “drawn” ones would be much more helpful for you. It can help them in grasping the context quickly and discern the same when they see it in the real world.
• Opt For Models: Like pictures, a model of an object can offer excellent visual aid during the learning of a child. You may also use them as puppets to perform a play or share a storyline with them.
• Symbols: Symbols can be employed to represent or refer to various concepts. For instance, you can use it in the place of a word or something as such. “+” is a notable example of symbol-based learning, as it can be used to replace the word “addition.”

FAQs – Frequently Asked Questions

In this section, we’ll keep it simple and offer answers to some queries that you may have regarding this article. Let’s get going, then.

How To Create An Effective Visual Aid?

Make sure to offer the information in a simple and straightforward manner while creating a visual aid. Also, limit the usage of bullet points and write in a more elaborative manner. Make sure to add more than one appropriate chart to improve your kid’s learning even more.

Which Is The Most Important Visual Aid In Class Teaching?

When talking about the best visual aids for learning, using an educational poster will be ideal for your case. Besides, you can also try using a chart or infographics to make everything even richer in data and information.

Conclusion

So, there you go, that’s how you should use visual aid while teaching something to your kid. Make sure to follow each and every rule we’ve mentioned and try using them in different methods. See what’s working best for you and stick to it till the end. Good luck!