Contact Us

Phone: (812) 855-6508
TTY: (812) 855-9396
Fax: (812) 855-9630
Director: Cathy Pratt, Ph.D., BCBA
e-mail: prattc@indiana.edu

Visual Supports

This collection of visual supports and other resources provides examples of various strategies that can be used to support students on the autism spectrum, as well as others with and without disabilities. Some of these visuals have also been used as part of a school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) or as part of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (PBIS). Many of the visuals can also be used with families to assist their son/daughter at home. Others may benefit adults on the spectrum, as well.

Special thanks to Hamilton-Boone-Madison Special Services Cooperative, Creekside Middle School- Carmel, Indiana’s Autism Leadership Network and staff at Indiana Resource Center for Autism for sharing the content for this collection.

Structured Tasks

Activities that incorporate visual instructions and are set up in a visually organized way so that the purpose is clear to the learner. Increases understanding, focus and independent completion.

Addition

Index cards with math problems are placed on each page within a binder. Possible answers are velcroed above. Foam shapes are placed on Velcro strips at bottom of each page for student to count to get their answer. Student pulls off answer and sticks it next to the problem. Baggies with extra problems, answers and shapes mean that teacher can vary the number of pages and difficulty of the problems.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksAddition.jpg
Jigsaw Puzzle Activity

Puzzle is structured and simplified enabling independent completion by numbering back of each piece and outlining numbers on corresponding board. Baggies are used to organize the pieces (e.g. all pieces labeled ‘1’ are in bag 1). Can be completed independently or as a paired activity with each student completing a line of pieces. Function: independent leisure skill.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksJigsawPuzzleActivity.jpg
Lego Activity - Difficult

Color photos of the steps of making the vehicle are attached to a file folder. Lego pieces are organized in bag stapled to same folder. Function: independent leisure skill.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksLegoActivityDifficult.jpg
Lego Activity Basic Big Little

Styrofoam tray and lego pieces are glued to cardboard base. Student sorts legos by stacking them on top of the 2 glued pieces. Function: independent leisure skill.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksLegoActivityBasicBigLittle.jpg
Lego Activity Boat

Color photo of completed boat is attached to styrofoam tray and activity is presented to student with legos in the tray. Function: independent leisure skill.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksLegoActivityBoat.jpg
Real Pretend Picture Sorting

Description: One container is labeled ‘Pretend’ and one is labeled,Real. Each is also labeled with a picture example of something real and something pretend. The containers are glued to the back half of a tray. In front of them on the tray is a third open container of pictures to be sorted. Student sorts the cards into the containers. Function: To teach a student (who has difficulty understanding that TV shows are not real) the concept of pretend and help them to know which things are pretend.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/structuredtasksRealPretend.jpg