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Using Visuals to Build Independence Step by Step Pat Crissey crissey55@yahoo.com ATIA 2007 Conference January 25, 2007 Slide 2 What are visual supports? Visual supports provide information in a visual format that help individuals to better understand their world. This includes information that allows individuals to function more independently in daily living, work, school and leisure activities. Slide 3 Why use visuals? More easily understood Non-transient Direct & maintain attention Consistent over staff changes Forces clarification of tasks Allows self-prompting Increases self-esteem Slide 4 Different types of visuals Calendars Schedules Reminders Checklists Menus of choices Environmental cues Picture directions Task organizers Slide 5 Calendars Slide 6 Schedules Slide 7 Reminders Slide 8 Checklist Slide 9 Menu of choices Slide 10 Environmental Cues Slide 11 Picture directions from Picture Directions: Building Independence Step by Step Slide 12 Task organizers Slide 13 from Personal Hygiene: Whats that Got to Do with Me? Slide 14 Is the visual effective? Slide 15 Making visuals effective Designed for specific purpose Readily understood Easily accessible Adequate instruction & support Evaluate effectiveness Slide 16 Address a specific purpose Whats a problem area? What is motivating for user? What can he/she do with minimal prompting? Slide 17 Linda Hodgdon, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication If a task is too complicated to put in visual form, does that mean it is to complicated to teach? Too Complicated? Slide 18 Readily understood Whats the visual saying? One size does not fit all. Whats the correct representational level? Slide 19 Whats it showing? Slide 20 Focus on key element Slide 21 Getting up close Slide 22 Use drawings Direct focus Eliminate backgrounds Get close Control colors Slide 23 Making it clear or Slide 24 Making it clear Focus on key element Get close Eliminate background Slide 25 Representational Level Real objects Pictures Words Slide 26 Concrete to Abstract Gym Object miniature object part of object Picture photo drawing Word Slide 27 Easily accessible? How close does it need to be? Is it placed to catch attention? Does it need to be transportable? Fit into pocket or notebook? Slide 28 Instruction & support Prepare learner Prepare task Teach the task Evaluate Slide 29 Prepare the learner Evaluate learners skills Explain purpose & benefits Provide motivation Slide 30 Prepare the task Break down the task step by step What are the necessary skills? How can you make the task easier? Slide 31 Break down the task from Picture Directions: Building Independence Step by Step Slide 32 Does learner have the skills? Fold paper evenly? Put paper in envelope? Know how & where to lick? Remove stamp from book? Know how and where to place stamp? Slide 33 Making a task easier Provide a list of whats needed Assemble necessary items from Picture Directions: Building Independence Step by Step Slide 34 Make task easier Adapt paper size Match dots for folding Pre-cut pictures Stickers Cut & paste text Slide 35 Show where to lick Slide 36 Addressing envelope Show where to put stamp Pre-write address Cut & glue address Model for copying address Slide 37 Make stamp easy to get Slide 38 Teaching the task Model the task Coach learner through task Wait expectantly Use minimal prompts Fade prompts ASAP Use forward or backward chaining Practice, practice, practice Slide 39 Is it working? Consistent criteria Regularly scheduled observations Take data Slide 40 Its working ~ then what? Work towards eliminating visual? Modify gradually Fewer prompts Less prep ahead of time Combine steps More abstract pictures Words instead of pictures Slide 41 Its not working! Need to be visually clearer? More concrete? Need to be more specific, more steps? Need more prep ahead of time? Need more modeling & coaching? Task too difficult? Learner not motivated? Slide 42 Common Problems Dont understand the visual Dont have sub-skills Taught too quickly Use clearer or more concrete visual Teach sub-skills Provide more instruction & support Slide 43 Finding visuals Create them Find them Buy them Slide 44 Taking photos Tailor to need High interest Identify key element Get up close Minimize distractions Slide 45 Draw a picture Tailor to need Control focus Gradually move to more abstract Faster Slide 46 Where to find pictures Online Magazines, catalogs Advertisements Cards, calendars Old books Packaging Slide 47 Online sources from www.symbolworld.org Slide 48 Online sources for images http://trainland.tripod.com/pecs.htm http://www.usevisualstrategies.com http://www.tinsnips.org http://www.do2.learn.com http://office.microsoft.comhttp://office.microsoft.com (clip art) http://www.iconbazaar.com Slide 49 for picture directions http://www.symbolworld.org http://www.tinsnips.orghttp://www.tinsnips.org (recipes) http://www.do2learn.comhttp://www.do2learn.com (art) http://bry-backmanor.orghttp://bry-backmanor.org (recipes) Slide 50 Use online catalogs Select and drag To desktop or folder Slide 51 Use online search engines Search under images Slide 52 Take a snapshot Alt + Prt Scr, then open Clipboard (Windows) Slide 53 Pictures from catalogs Slide 54 Pictures from packages Slide 55 Images to buy Boardmaker - Mayer-Johnson GoTalk - Attainment Company Pics for PECS - Pyramid Educational Overboard - Gus Communications Slide 56 Picture directions to buy Picture Directions Attainment Co. Visual Recipes DRL Books, Inc Various preschool resources & curriculums Slide 57 Questions & Evaluations Questions? Please complete evaluations