Visual Strategies

Edition # 2
The Visual Strategies Book was created by the School Support
Program—Autism Spectrum Disorder. This book was created to
assist educators in creating unique and effective visual strategies
for students with autism. It is not intended to replace training, as
selection of the right type of visual strategies may require
additional instruction. When incorporating these methods into a
classroom setting, first consult with a person trained in the use of
visuals to ensure that appropriate strategies are selected and do
not conflict with existing ones.

ASD Consultants are available to provide more resources,

consultation, or training for educators about visual strategies or
other Autism related topics. Our purpose is to work with School
Boards to help enhance knowledge of Autism Spectrum Disorders
and provide effective evidence-based teaching strategies. If you
would like more information about how the School Support
Program – ASD can support you, please talk to your school team
about contacting the ASD Consultants assigned to your Board.
Copyright Restrictions
This product was produced by Thames Valley Children’s Centre,
and can be reproduced by School Board or other Regional School
Support Program staff without specific consent. If you are not
employed by an Ontario School Board or a Regional School Support
Program, we request that you ask for written permission of
Thames Valley Children’s Centre before you reproduce or transmit
any parts of this booklet. For information contact, School Support
Program – ASD, Thames Valley Children’s Centre, 779 Base Line Rd.
East, London, ON N6C 5Y6, (519) 685-8693.

© 2006 Thames Valley Children’s Centre

 First-Then Activities

First-Then Using Objects First-Then Using Objects

2-First’s-Then Board First-Then Board

 First-Then Activities

3-First’s-Then Board First-Then Worksheet Tray

Written First-Then Board Using First-Then Boards

 First-Then Activities

First-Then with Choices Premier-Ensuite

First-Then First-Then on Picture Holder

 Schedules

Hand-Drawn Schedule Word Schedule

Word + Diagram Schedule Working For Schedule

Each item on the schedule is complete when the
identified number of tokens is received.
 Schedules

Picture Schedule File Folder-Object Schedule

Object Schedule Object Schedule with words

 Schedules

Checklist Schedule Visually changing schedule

Change PIC is used along with dry-erase marker to indicate
that gym is inside today

Binder Schedule Object Schedule

 Schedules

Pocket Folder Schedule Clipboard/Whiteboard

When Done, PICS put in folder pocket
Schedule

File Folder Schedule Whiteboard Schedule

Additional PICS stored inside folder
 Schedules

Wall Schedule Classroom Schedule

Digital Pictures used.
Schedule divided into 3 times of the day. Extra PICS
stored in plastic bag.

File Folder Schedule Classroom Schedule

Arrow indicates what activity currently doing. Digital pictures with words for class-wide schedule
 Schedules

Picture Schedule Written Schedule

Token used to indicate what activity currently completing.

Picture Schedule
PICS held on with paperclips.
Simple Picture Schedule
PICS laminated & velcroed on paper
 Schedules

Schedule on Paint Chips Book Schedule

Whiteboard Schedule Class-wide Individual Schedules

Each student’s schedule is hanging on the wall next to one another.
 Schedules

Schedule on Blackboard
PICS held with magnetic clips. Daily Binder Schedule

In-Out Box for Workbooks Checklist Schedule

Work to do in “in box.” Finished work in “out box.”
 Schedules

Daily Schedule Book How to Indicate “Done”

Accompanying pages have choice and relaxation pages. When finished the items on the schedule the pictures can be
put in a done box, can be crossed out, or checked off.

Schedule/Choice Board
Weekly Schedule An item on the schedule then becomes a choice.
 Schedules

Daily Period Schedule High School Subject Schedule

High school schedule with pictures of classes with Subject index at front of binder and class schedule in each section.
corresponding teachers and EA’s.

Clipboard Schedule Picture Schedule

Pictures are mounted on picture holder
 Schedules

Written Schedule for Play Time Picture Album Schedule

Monthly Calendar Picture Holder Schedule

Demonstrates Important Events.
 Schedules

Simple Paper Schedule Chalkboard Schedule

Word + Diagram Schedule Folding Picture Schedule

 Schedules

Weekly Schedule First-Then, Working-For Schedule

Each section is a first-then board and when the specified number of tokens are
achieved in that section, it is time to move onto the next.

Desk Schedule Structured Learning Schedule

The student’s name is placed on cards that are given to them to check their schedule. The
student velcros their card on top when they get to the schedule.
 Choice Boards

‘Where’ Choice Boards ‘What’ Choice Boards

‘When’ Choice Boards ‘What’ Choice Boards

 Choice Boards

‘Who’ Choice Boards ‘How’ Choice Boards

Multiple Choice Board Choices on Wall

 Choice Boards

Choices for Snack Object Choice Board

Choice Board Picture Holder Choice Board for Spare Period

 Choice Boards

Play Time Choice Board Recess Choice Board

Carpet Time Choice Board Table Time Choice Board

 Choice Boards

“I Want to Watch” Choice “I Want to Eat” Choice

Board Board

12 Item Choice Board 2 Item Choice Board

 Working For Boards

3 Token Working-For Board 2 Token Working-For Board

Working-For Schedule Work System Schedule

The student receives the specified number of tokens at each activity.
In a work system, the student completes the specified number of tasks above
and is directed to “what’s next?” at the bottom of the schedule.
 Working For Boards

Working for Boards with Words Picture Token Board

Corresponding work and reward PICS accompany board and are
Token board at the bottom indicates which item they are working for. The file folder velcroed on top as completed.
represents the choices one can work for. The items are words printed on index cards.

Thomas Working For Board Sponge Bob Working For Board

Each picture is velcroed until all have been achieved. Each piece of the picture is velcroed on upon completion of the
specified activity.
 Working For Boards

Working for Jar Drawn Token Board

Draw stars for each piece of work completed. Rewards
are written in the right column.

4 Token Working For Board 1, 2, 3 Working For Board

 Visual Instructions

Visual Instructions Materials Needed

Display visuals of materials needed for project

Visual Communication Stoplight Program

Arrow moved to provide visual cues to the classroom as a volume
Individual PECS used to communicate directions. indicator.
 Visual Instructions

Class Rules Shopping List

Shopping List in Folder Shopping List

 Visual Instructions

How to Make a sandwich Recipe

Sandwich Making Recipe

Instruction Book
 Visual Instructions

Cost of Items Voice Meter

The handle is moved from quiet to noisy.

How to clean window How to sweep

 Visual Instructions

How to photocopy How to put away dishes

How to run printer Getting Ready to Leave Reminders

 Visual Instructions

Instructions—Preparing to Work Go/Stay Program

Student hands communicative partner “stay” to remain
in an activity and “go” to leave an activity.

Breaking down worksheets Sorting Utensils

File folder is cut into strips and once each section is done the next section is flipped to
reveal the next section of the worksheet.
 Visual Instructions

Classroom Rules Time-Timer

Making Jello Visual Class Rules with

Instructions Matching Pictures
 Visual Instructions

Your Turn/ My Turn

My Turn on one side of the card and your turn on the
Dressing Instructions
other side of the card with person’s picture.

Toileting Instructions Coming to School Instructions

 Visual Instructions

Task Book/Tokens Alternative Actions Boards

Once each task of the picture book is done, a token is Insert what I did and what an alternate choice could be.
attached.

Toileting Instructions Orange Juice Recipe

 Visual Instructions

Visual Communication Stages of Drawing

One side classroom communication and other side Each stage of the drawing is given as visual instructions.
outside communication.

Computer Instructions Classroom Rules

 Classroom Concepts

Visual Thermometer
Thermometer is adjusted with a zipper. Number of Students in Class

In-Out Boxes Floor Tape Enclosing Student’s Workspace

Work that is to be completed and has been completed Presents physical boundary for workspace.
goes in these boxes.
 Classroom Concepts

Story-Time Picture Symbols Individual Calendars

Story-time agenda and activities represented visually and hung.
Students fill out weather on individual schedules to
match class calendar.

Student Workbaskets Special Event Calendar

Each student has their own basket with their work to
complete.
 Classroom Concepts

In/Out Board Individual Calendars

Visually demonstrates with student’s picture who is here and away.
In binder and adapted with words/pictures for student’s
ability to complete during class-wide calendar time.

What am I wearing Activity Helper of the Day Visual

Calendar time activity where student chooses what they are
wearing and is adapted for their functioning level.
 Classroom Concepts

Relaxation Exercises Computer Closed

Centre Sign-Up Data Collection Bracelet

Each class member chooses a center by taking one of the
designated number of cards to place by their own picture. Only Small counter beads are ones and large beads are tens.
centres with cards in are open or available.
 Organization

Picture Organizer Labeling Activities

Picture symbols organized by subject and/or picture Bins are labeled for visual prompts and for students to
symbol. match from schedule.

Individual Work Stored Labeling Activities

Each student's activities able to complete are stored in their box for later
reference to understand level for assessment.
 Organization

File Folder PICS Holder Book for Picture Symbols

Storage Bins Labeled Storage Bins

Categories of classroom materials to reduce visual clutter. Bins labeled with pictures and/or words for functioning levels.
 Organization

Labeled Bins Work Area

Work area to reduce distractions and to complete work systems.

PICS storage PICS storage

PICS are stored in binder in baseball card holders. PICS are stored in craft organizing box.
 Social Skill Descriptions

Social Facts with Digital Pictures

French Social Story ™
and Picture Symbols

Fire Drill Social Story™ Social Descriptions

Social descriptions are paper clipped and available for
students to read.
 Communication Boards

Today at School Worksheet Today at School

At Home Worksheet My Day at School

 Math Concepts

Math in Baseball Card Holders Adding objects in Baseball Card

Holders

Counting Activity Adding with Visual Cards

 Literacy

Student Reading Books Sentence Strips from Book

Each student has own cereal boxes with the books they can read—allows teacher to be Sentence strips for students to identify what they saw in the book.
updated on what level they are at.

Communication Strips from Books Object/Word Containers

Sentence strips made to communicate what was read in the book. Each container contains an object and manipulatives to spell that word.
 Tasks

Visual Preparations for Farm Visit Classroom Bingo

I Spy Bottle Horse Matching Task

Objects in a water bottle and students identify the objects they saw with PICS.
 Tasks

Big/Little Matching Matching Body Parts

Bingo Dabbing Task Bubble Blowing Activity

 Tasks

Fine Motor Marble Sort Toothbrush Assembly

Bathroom Item Sort Video in Cover Task

 Tasks

Colour Sorting Colour Matching

Domino Adding Fruit Matching

 Tasks

Spelling Task Object Matching Book

Matching Foods Spelling Book

 Tasks

Fine Motor Easter Egg Task Matching Task

File Folder Clothes Activity Matching Emotions

Sorting clothes to wear for hot and cold weather.
 Tasks

Money Sort Task

Answering Number Questions

Students answer questions based on the number of the identified objects in the
picture.
Mr. Potato Head Task Analysis
 Tasks

Sorting Chips by Colour Sorting Colour Paperclips

Assembling Flashlight Sorting Erasers

 Tasks

Assembling Easter Eggs Pincher Grasp with Cotton Balls

Sorting Coloured Paperclips Sorting Money

 Tasks

Sorting Utensils Men/Women Sorting

Matching Food & Containers Matching Food & Restaurant

 Tasks

Colour Matching Sequencing

Counting Money Spelling with Blocks

4 Strategies to Adapt Math Lesson

Written White Board Schedule Math Worksheet with

Picture Schedule Below

Written White Board Written Instructions

Instructions
 References
Baker, K., & Chaparro, C. (2003). Schedule it! Sequence It!
(R. M. Johnson, Ed.). Solana Beach, CA: Mayer-Johnson, LLC.
Cooperative Educational Service Agency # 7. (2006). Examples of Curriculum
Accommodations/Modifications for Students with ASD. Retrieved May 30, 2006
from [Link]/
Do2Learn. (2006). Daily organizers. Retrieved May 30, 2006, from
[Link]
Keshet. (2006). Autism/TEACCH. Retrieved May 30, 2006, from [Link]
Interactive Collaborative Autism Network. (2006). ICAN. Retrieved May 30, 2006,
from [Link]
Special Education Technology – British Columbia. (2006). Picture SET. Retrieved June
30, 2006, from [Link]

Special thanks to the following people for their contributions to this

book:
• Thames Valley District School Board
- D M Sutherland Public School
- McGregor Public School
• Greater Essex County District School Board
- Princess Anne Public School
- John Campbell Public School
- Harrow Junior Public School
- Jennifer Newton
• TEACCH