Choice Boards

Visual Strategies for Improving Communication (Revised & Updated Edition): Practical Supports for Autism Spectrum Disorder

Hodgdon, Linda

Practical supports for school and home Visual Strategies for Improving Communication: Practical Supports for School and Home contains numerous strategies to enhance communication interactions for students who experience autism and other moderate to severe communication disorders. A "how-to" book, designed to assist teachers, Speech-Language Pathologists, and parents in devising solutions to the communication and self-management challenges that are common to these students. Full of examples and illustrations, this book describes specific strategies that capitalize on the visual strengths and learning style of this population. The first goal when working with these students is to create an environment that will support communication and make communication breakdowns less likely to occur. This is accomplished in part by developing a system of visual tools and aids to increase communication effectiveness. Schedules, aids to give directions, and aids to give information, and aids to establish and communicate rules are tools designed to increase the student's understanding of what is happening around him. A second goal, improving student independence and participation, is met with the presence of visual tools.