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Visual Strategies
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 Childrens 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 Childrens Centre before you
reproduce or transmit any parts of this booklet. For information contact,
School Support Program ASD, Thames Valley Childrens Centre, 779
Base Line Rd. East, London, ON N6C 5Y6, (519) 685-8693.

2006 Thames Valley Childrens Centre

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 First-Then Activities

First-Then using objects First-Then using objects

2-Firsts-Then Board First-Then Board

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 First-Then Activities

3-Firsts-Then Board First-Then Worksheet Tray

Written First-Then Board Using First-Then Boards

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 First-Then Activities

First-Then with choices Premier-Ensuite

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 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.
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 Schedules

Picture Schedule File Folder-Object Schedule

Object Schedule Object Schedule with words

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 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

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 Schedules

Pocket Folder Schedule Clipboard/Whiteboard

When Done, PICS put in folder pocket
Schedule

File Folder Schedule Whiteboard Schedule

Additional PICS stored inside folder

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 Schedules

Wall Schedule Classroom Schedule

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

File Folder Schedule Classroom Schedule

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

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 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
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 Schedules

Schedule on Paint Chips Book Schedule

Whiteboard Schedule Class-wide Individual Schedules

Each students schedule is hanging on the wall next to one another.
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 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.

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 Schedules

Daily Schedule Book How to Indicate Done

Accompanying pages have choice and relaxation When finished the items on the schedule the
pages. 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.
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 Schedules

Daily Period Schedule High School Subject Schedule

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

Clipboard Schedule Picture Schedule

Pictures are mounted on picture holder
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 Schedules

Written Schedule for Play Time Picture Album Schedule

Monthly Calendar Schedule Picture Holder

Demonstrates Important Events

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 Schedules

Simple Paper Schedule Chalkboard Schedule

Word + Diagram Schedule Folding Picture Schedule

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 Schedules

Weekly Schedule First-Then, Working-For Schedule

Desk Schedule Schedule with Paperclips

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 Choice Boards

Where Choice Boards What Choice Boards

When Choice Boards What Choice Boards

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 Choice Boards

Who Choice Boards How Choice Boards

Multiple Choice Board Choices on Wall

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 Choice Boards

Choices for Snack Object Choice Board

Choice Board Picture Holder Choice Board for Spare Period

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 Choice Boards

Play Time Choice Board Recess Choice Board

Carpet Time Choice Board Table Time Choice Board

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 Choice Boards

I Want to Watch Choice I Want to Eat Choice

Board Board

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 Working For Boards

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

Working-For Schedule Whats Next Board

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 Working For Boards

Working for Boards with Words Picture Token Board

Work & reward tokens velcroed on top of pictures
as work completed.

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.
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 Working For Boards

Working for Jar Drawn Token Board

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

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 Visual Instructions

Visual Instructions Materials Needed

Display visuals of materials needed for project

Visual Communication Stoplight Program

Individual PECS used to communicate directions. Arrow moved to provide visual cues.
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 Visual Instructions

Class Rules Shopping List

Shopping List in Folder Shopping List

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 Visual Instructions

How to Make a sandwich Recipe

Sandwich Making Recipe

Instruction Book
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 Visual Instructions

Cost of Items Voice Meter

The handle is moved from quiet to noisy.

How to clean window How to sweep

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 Visual Instructions

How to photocopy How to put away dishes

How to run printer Reminders

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 Visual Instructions

InstructionsPreparing 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. 2006 TVCC
 Visual Instructions

Classroom Rules Time-Timer

Making Jello Visual Class Rules with

Instructions Matching Pictures 2006 TVCC
 Visual Instructions

Your Turn/ My Turn Dressing Instructions

Toileting Instructions Coming to School Instructions

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 Visual Instructions

Task Book/Tokens Consequence Boards

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

Toileting Instructions Orange Juice Recipe

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 Visual Instructions

Visual Communication Stages of Drawing

One side classroom communication and
other side outside classroom.

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 Classroom Concepts

Visual Thermometer Number of Students in Class

Thermometer is adjusted with a zipper.

In-Out Boxes Floor Tape Enclosing Students

Workplace 2006 TVCC
 Classroom Concepts

Story-Time Picture Symbols Individual Calendars

Students fill out weather on individual schedules.

Student Workbaskets Special Event Calendar

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

In/Out Board Individual Calendars

Visually demonstrates with students picture who In binder and adapted with words/pictures for
is here and away. students ability.

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.
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 Classroom Concepts

Relaxation Exercises Computer Closed

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 Organization

Picture Organizer Labeling Activities

Individual Work Stored Labeling Activities

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 Organization

File Folder PICS Holder Book for Picture Symbols

Storage Bins Labeled Storage Bins

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

Labeled Bins Organized Work Area

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 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.
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 Communication Boards

Today at School Worksheet Today at School

At Home Worksheet My Day at School

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 Math Concepts

Math in Baseball Card Holders Adding objects in Baseball Card

Holders

Counting Activity Adding with Visual Cards

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 Literacy

Student Reading Books Sentence Strips from Book

Each student has own cereal boxes with the books they can Sentence strips for students to identify what they saw in the book.
readallows teacher to be 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.
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 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.
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 Tasks

Big/Little Matching Matching Body Parts

Bingo Dabbing Task Bubble Blowing Activity

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 Tasks

Fine Motor Marble Sort Fine Motor Toothbrush Sort

Bathroom Item Sort Video in Cover Task

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 Tasks

Colour Sorting Colour Matching

Domino Adding Fruit Matching

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 Tasks

Spelling Task Object Matching Book

Matching Foods Spelling Book

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 Tasks

Fine Motor Easter Egg Task Matching Task

File Folder Clothes Activity Matching Emotions

Sorting clothes to wear for hot and cold weather.
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 Tasks

Money Sort Task

Sorting Coloured Sticks Mr. Potato Head Task Analysis

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 Tasks

Sorting Chips Sorting Colour Paperclips

Assembling Flashlight Sorting Erasers

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 Tasks

Assembling Easter Eggs Pincher Grasp with Cotton Balls

Sorting Coloured Paperclips Sorting Money

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 Tasks

Sorting Utensils Men/Women Matching

Matching Food & Containers Matching Food & Restaurant

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 Tasks

Colour Matching Sequencing

Counting Money Spelling with Blocks

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4 Strategies to Adapt Math Lesson

Picture Schedule Math Worksheet with

Picture Schedule Below

Written White Board Written Instructions

Instructions
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 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 www.cesa7.k12.wi.us/
Do2Learn. (2006). Daily organizers. Retrieved May 30, 2006, from
www.do2learn.com
Keshet. (2006). Autism/TEACCH. Retrieved May 30, 2006, from www.keshet.org
Interactive Collaborative Autism Network. (2006). ICAN. Retrieved May 30, 2006,
from www.autismnetwork.org
Special Education Technology British Columbia. (2006). Picture SET. Retrieved June
30, 2006, from www.setbc.org

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
- Jennifer Newton
TEACCH

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