If you’re reading this, chances are you’re searching for ways to make daily life a little easier for your child—and for your family. Maybe mornings feel chaotic, transitions are challenging, or you’re looking for tools to help your child feel more confident and independent. You’re not alone in this, and you’re not looking for miracles—just practical strategies that actually work.

Visual supports have become one of the most valuable tools many Maryland families use to create more predictable, manageable days. They won’t solve everything, but for many children with autism, they can make a meaningful difference in reducing anxiety and building independence, one small step at a time.

Why Visual Supports Can Be Helpful for Children with Autism

Many children with autism process visual information more effectively than auditory information. Research published in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders shows that visual supports can improve communication, reduce anxiety, and increase independence in children with ASD. The reason is neurological: many individuals with autism have stronger visual processing pathways than auditory ones.

Visual supports can be helpful because they:

  • Provide predictability in what can feel like an unpredictable world
  • Reduce the cognitive load of processing spoken instructions
  • Stay consistent—unlike spoken words that can vary in tone, speed, or timing
  • Can be referenced again and again without relying on memory
  • Work across different developmental levels

For families throughout Maryland, visual supports can create helpful bridges between ABA therapy sessions and daily life. As we explored in our post about understanding what your child is really telling you through behavior, visual supports can help children communicate their needs more effectively.

The Science Behind Visual Learning in Autism

Understanding why visual supports can work helps you implement them more thoughtfully. According to Autism Speaks, “Visual supports work because they tap into the visual learning style that is common in people with autism.” Additionally, neuroimaging studies have shown that individuals with autism often show enhanced visual processing abilities, making visual information more accessible than auditory information.

This enhanced visual processing translates into real-world benefits. When children can see what’s expected, when activities will happen, and what the steps are to complete tasks, it often helps reduce anxiety and can support growing independence.

Types of Visual Supports: Finding What Works for Your Child

Not all visual supports work for every child, and what helps one child tremendously might not resonate with another. That’s completely normal. Here’s a breakdown of different types you might consider trying:

Visual Schedules: Creating Predictability

Visual schedules show the sequence of activities throughout a day, helping children understand what comes next. Research demonstrates that visual schedules can reduce challenging behaviors significantly in some children with autism.

Types of visual schedules:

  • Object schedules: Use real objects (toothbrush for teeth brushing time)
  • Photo schedules: Pictures of your child doing each activity
  • Icon schedules: Simple drawings or symbols
  • Written schedules: For children who can read

Social Stories and Visual Narratives

Social stories help children understand social situations and expectations. A systematic review in Research in Autism Spectrum Disorders found that social stories can be effective for improving social skills and reducing challenging behaviors when implemented thoughtfully.

Choice Boards: Supporting Decision-Making

Choice boards display available options, helping children make decisions and communicate preferences. This can be particularly valuable for non-speaking children or those with limited verbal communication.

First-Then Boards: Making Expectations Clear

These simple visual supports show “First we do this, then we get/do that,” making expectations concrete and understandable. This connects with the positive reinforcement strategies we discussed in our guide to turning everyday moments into learning opportunities.

Visual Rules and Expectations

Instead of repeatedly stating rules, visual reminders posted in relevant locations can help children remember expectations more independently.

Creating Effective Visual Supports: The CLEAR Method

Use this framework to give your visual supports the best chance of being helpful:

C – Clear and Simple

Avoid cluttered designs. Each visual should convey one clear message. Use high-contrast colors and simple images that your child can easily distinguish.

L – Language Appropriate

Match the complexity to your child’s understanding level. Non-readers need pictures; emerging readers might benefit from pictures plus simple words.

E – Easily Accessible

Place visual supports where your child can see and reach them. A schedule hung too high or tucked away won’t be helpful.

A – Actively Used

Model how to use the visual supports consistently. Point to the schedule, have your child move completed activity cards, and reference the visuals throughout the day.

R – Regularly Updated

Keep visual supports current and relevant. Outdated or irrelevant visuals lose their effectiveness.

Room-by-Room Implementation Ideas

Kitchen and Dining Area

Mealtime visual sequence: A step-by-step visual showing the mealtime routine:

  1. Wash hands
  2. Sit at table
  3. Use napkin
  4. Try each food
  5. Clear dishes when finished

Snack choice board: Display snack options so your child can make independent choices.

Kitchen safety visuals: Simple pictures showing safe kitchen behaviors (walking feet, hot stove warning, etc.)

Bathroom

Routine visuals: Step-by-step pictures for toileting, hand washing, and other bathroom routines.

Getting ready visuals: Morning and bedtime routines broken into manageable steps with pictures.

Bedroom

Bedtime routine schedule: Visual sequence from dinner through bedtime, helping your child know what to expect.

Getting dressed sequence: Pictures showing the order for putting on clothes, which can be helpful for children who find sequencing challenging.

Living Areas

Household expectations: Simple visual reminders about family expectations (quiet voices, gentle hands, cleaning up toys).

Activity choice boards: Options for free time activities, which can help with the “I don’t know what to do” moments.

Technology-Enhanced Visual Supports

While simple paper-based visuals are often most effective, technology can enhance visual supports for some children:

Apps and Digital Tools

  • Schedule apps: Allow for easy modification and can include timers
  • Video modeling apps: Show your child performing the desired behavior
  • Communication apps: For children who benefit from AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication)

When Simple is Better

Remember that screens can be distracting for some children. The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association notes that the best visual support is the one your child will actually use consistently.

Troubleshooting Common Challenges

My Child Doesn’t Seem Interested in the Visual Supports

Things to try:

  • Start with fewer visuals and gradually add more
  • Use preferred colors, characters, or themes
  • Make sure they’re at your child’s eye level
  • Practice using them during calm, low-pressure times first
  • Remember: it can take time for any new strategy to feel familiar

The Visuals Feel Too Childish

Things to try:

  • Use more mature images or written words
  • Involve your child in creating them
  • Focus on clean, simple designs rather than decorative elements
  • Remember that function matters more than appearance

We Keep Forgetting to Use Them

Things to try:

  • Set phone reminders to reference the visuals
  • Post reminder notes for yourself
  • Start with just one visual support and master it before adding others
  • Build them into existing routines rather than thinking of them as extras

This connects with the strategies we shared in our post about 3 game-changing ABA strategies that make a real difference, where patience and consistency are essential.

What Success Might Look Like

Visual supports may be helping when you notice:

  • Growing independence: Your child completes tasks with less prompting
  • Smoother transitions: Fewer difficult moments when changing activities
  • Reduced anxiety: Your child seems calmer during daily routines
  • Better communication: Your child uses the visuals to express needs or preferences
  • Self-direction: Your child checks the schedule or visuals on their own

Remember, progress often comes in small steps, and that’s perfectly okay.

Working with Your ABA Team

If your child receives ABA services in Maryland, it can be helpful to coordinate visual supports between home and therapy settings. The BACB emphasizes the importance of consistency across environments for maximum effectiveness.

At The Learning Tree ABA, our comprehensive ABA services include supporting families with visual support implementation. Whether you choose in-home therapy or center-based services, we work with you to create consistent approaches across environments.

Questions you might ask your BCBA:

  • What visual supports are working well during therapy sessions?
  • How can I adapt these for home use?
  • What’s the right level of visual complexity for my child?
  • How do we gradually reduce visual supports as independence grows?

Advanced Strategies to Consider

Supporting Self-Advocacy

Create visual cards that help your child communicate their needs: “I need a break,” “I don’t understand,” “I need help,” or “I’m finished.”

Video Modeling

Recording your child successfully completing a task can be used as a visual model. Research shows video modeling can be particularly effective for children with autism because they can see themselves succeeding.

Environmental Organization

Use colored tape, labels, or pictures to organize spaces and materials, helping your child know where things belong and how to navigate more independently.

Building Toward Long-Term Goals

The goal of visual supports isn’t to create dependence—it’s to build a foundation that can eventually support greater independence. As your child becomes more comfortable with routines using visual supports, you can gradually reduce them while maintaining the structure and predictability they’ve learned.

A Gradual Process

  1. Full visual support: Complete visual sequence
  2. Partial visual: Remove some steps as they become more automatic
  3. Check-in visual: Simple reminder to check progress
  4. Growing independence: Internal routine becomes more established

Getting Started: A Gentle Approach

Week 1: Observe and Plan

  • Notice the three most challenging parts of your child’s day
  • Choose one area to focus on first
  • Gather basic materials (camera, printer, sheet protectors)

Week 2: Create and Introduce

  • Make your first visual support
  • Introduce it during a calm moment
  • Practice using it when there’s no pressure

Week 3: Try It Out

  • Use the visual support consistently
  • Notice what’s working and what might need adjusting
  • Make changes as needed—this is normal!

Week 4: Reflect and Plan

  • Think about how it’s going
  • Consider what visual support might be helpful next
  • Celebrate any positive changes, however small

The Broader Impact

Effective visual supports can create positive changes that ripple through family life:

  • Reduced family stress: More predictable routines can ease daily tension
  • Benefits for siblings: Structure often helps all children in the household
  • Skill transfer: Abilities learned with visual supports often generalize to new situations
  • Building confidence: Success in one area can boost confidence in others
  • Communication growth: Visual supports sometimes lead to increased verbal communication over time

Moving Forward with Realistic Hope

Visual supports aren’t magic solutions, but they can be valuable tools that help create more manageable, predictable days for your child and your family. Every child’s journey is different, and what matters most is finding approaches that work for your specific situation.

Start where you are, be patient with the process, and remember that small positive changes can build into bigger ones over time. You’re doing important work, and you don’t have to figure it all out at once.

Remember, you’re not alone in this journey. We’re here to support you and your family every step of the way.

References and Additional Resources

  1. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders – Visual Support Research
  2. Autism Speaks – Visual Supports Guide
  3. Neuroimaging Studies on Visual Processing in Autism
  4. Research on Visual Schedules and Problem Behaviors
  5. Social Stories Systematic Review
  6. ASHA – Augmentative and Alternative Communication
  7. BACB Professional and Ethical Compliance Code
  8. Video Modeling Research in Autism

The Learning Tree ABA provides comprehensive support as part of our family-centered approach to autism therapy. We serve families throughout Maryland with both center-based and in-home ABA therapy services. Our Board Certified Behavior Analysts work with families to create approaches that fit your family’s unique needs and goals.

About The Learning Tree ABA

Our compassionate team understands that effective support extends beyond therapy sessions. We work with families to implement strategies that make sense for your daily life. Visual supports are just one of the many evidence-based approaches we help families explore.

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