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What are visual supports?

Visual supports are a tool to support someone’s understanding of their day, an activity or a task.

We actually all use visual supports every day. We use our calendar to remember events, we use street signs and directional signs to find our way and icons or images on the oven or washing machine.

People with communication difficulties can benefit from visual supports for many reasons. It can support a person’s understanding of their day and how to handle social situations. It can also be a reminder to complete certain tasks.

Visual supports might be symbols (such as Picture Communication Symbols), photos or real objects.

There are several types of visual supports – we will look at 5.


5 ways with visual supports

Who’s here today board

These are great for schools, adult disability services and other groups. Take photos of everyone and use them to display who is here and who is away. It can be useful for people who frequently ask where someone is or when particular staff will be coming. Watch this short video on how to use a ‘who’s here today’ board.

Whos Here with Cards

First – Then

This tool can be used by therapists, parents, teachers and support workers of children and adults. It sets a clear expectation of what you would like the person to do first and then providing a reward or reinforcement second.

A page showing Shower first and iPad later

Daily timetable

For individuals with difficulty reading using symbols or photos can help someone understand what they have on for the day.

A page showing John

Activity sequence

For a child a common activity sequence might be the steps involved in using the toilet or washing their hands. Adults might benefit from the steps involved in making a cup of coffee.

Activity sequences should be placed in the area the activity will be done. E.g. the bathroom or near the kettle.

A page showing how to put margarine on slices of bread

Shopping list

We all rely on shopping lists to help us remember what we need. For individuals with reading difficulties, using a picture based shopping list is beneficial.

You could use symbols for shopping list items or take photos of the actual items you buy. Take the visual shopping list with you to the shops and find the items needed.

Learning book with Pantry topic


How can I start making more visual supports?

If you would like to know more about using and designing visual support or the NECAS offerings email [email protected].

Therapy Advice

Tools2Talk Now: Top tips from Speech Pathologists

Scope’s Tools2Talk Now app enables you to create customised communication tools in minutes. With a huge range of templates, symbols, and lots of handy features, there are endless ways the app can be used. It saves people a lot of time and importantly provides quick and easy communication tools for people with communication needs.

Tool2talk now app