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.

Work Systems

Visual ‘to do’ lists individualized to fit the learner’s level of understanding. Increases independent working and ability to complete more than one task during a session.

Color Match Work System

Colored stars are set up by staff on strip on student desk. Name card that tells student to go to schedule is placed at the end of the stars. Student pulls off each star and matches it to the same color star on a work task on his left. Then student completes that task. After completing all tasks student goes to schedule and moves on to the next activity. Function: independent completion of several tasks.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsColorMatch.jpg
Left to Right Work System

Activities to be completed are placed on student’s left. Student completes them and puts them in ‘finished’ box on his right. Area is screened to prevent distractions during independent work time.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsLefttoRightWorkSystem.jpg
Picture Match Work System 1 of 3

Description: Pictures of student interest items are velcroed on card strip in student work area. Name card that tells student to go to schedule is at the end of the pictures. Student pulls off each picture and matches it to an identical one on a work task. 1 of 3 Function: Enables student to complete 4 tasks independently and then move directly to his schedule
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsPictureMatch1.jpg
Picture Match Work System 2 of 3

Description: Corresponding 3 x 3 color pictures are attached to each box containing a task. 2 of 3 Function: Independent working
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemspicturematch2.JPG
Picture Match Work System 3 of 3

Work System is set up on student desk and task on shelves in his work area. Function: Independent working
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemspicturematch3.JPG
Written Work System - Adult 1

Written list of activities to be completed is placed on desk. The individual checks off each activity as he completes it.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsWrittenWorkSystemAdult.JPG
Written Work System - Adult 2

Boxes contain folders with the written instructions for each activity labeled with the same items that are on the individual's written list.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsadultfolders.JPG
Written Work System - Student 1

Written list of activities to be completed is placed on student’s desk. Student checks off each activity as he completes it. Example shown was created for an elementary age student.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsWrittenWorkSystemStudent1.jpg
Written Work System - Student 2

Boxes contain folders with the written instructions for each activity labeled with the same items that are on the student's written list.
URL: http://www.iidc.indiana.edu/styles/iidc/deimages/IRCA/visual_support/worksystemsWrittenWorkSystemStudent2.jpg