Using the Visual to Support People with Autism

Mar 14, 2011
Frances Williams

Visual Aids for People with Autism - By United Nations [Public domain, Public domain or Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Communication using pictures, symbols and photographs during activities is crucial for people with autism - even those without an intellectual delay.

As Temple Grandin explains in her book Thinking in Pictures, people with autism usually give priority to the visual rather than the verbal and they may not think in language at all. This is a problem when supporting people with autism in any task because support staff often only give verbal or sign prompts. This does not help autistic persons to function at their optimum level and it also maintains their dependence on staff.

Sequencing a Task with Autistic People

Sequencing is often a problem because, although the person may know how to do each stage of an activity, he may get confused about the sequence within a task. Simple cooking and tea/coffee making are perfect activities for introducing a sequence of visual prompts because each stage is easy in itself but it has to be correctly sequenced. They are also activities with a nice outcome – food and drink!

Using the Visual to Promote Independence

One man I supported was constantly berated by support staff for being lazy because he "knew how to make a cup of tea" but would just stand looking at the kettle and "expect the staff to do it for him." They did not see the fact that he was hitting his head as a clue that he was stuck rather than "lazy." Showing him photographs of each stage was the way forward because, eventually and after a lot of practice, the photos could be joined up onto a board and left for him to follow without other input.

Making a Picture Sequence for Cooking

All people with autism are extremely individualistic due to their experiences of the world and the way they have had to develop their own coping strategies. It is advisable to design a visual system around their own particular strengths and difficulties. It is helpful to take a photograph at each stage of a cooking process with the people themselves doing the activity, and use that picture to prompt rather than using verbal prompts.

Use the Autistic Person's Usual Communication System Where Possible

The person may be using Makaton symbols or representational objects – each person should have his designated communication system. Go with the familiar to begin with, as too many systems may confuse. If the person does not have a visual system then photographs of himself doing an activity may be ideal.

Using Other Resources for Cooking Activities

However, you may be able to find visually sequenced recipes in some cookbooks – children's cookbooks and some magazines often have these. You can cut them out, laminate and make your own picture jig with them. Also some internet sites may have the recipe stages pictured for simple recipes, such as meatloaf, which can also be printed off and laminated. These are extremely useful as they are impersonal and can form a cooking database. They, along with symbol cards, may be more practical for people who are distracted by details in a photo and have more difficulty with rigidity of thought.

Using the Pictures

The person may need a single photo/picture shown to him at the beginning of each stage of the activity or he may be able to complete the whole task unaided by referring to the entire task in picture sequence without any input from the supporter. He/she may be able to stand back and only intervene if absolutely necessary –, that is the aim anyway! It will probably be somewhere in between but the person will gain in skill and understanding over time.

Take The Necessary Time and Do Not Lose Heart

You may have to take it slowly or, possibly, the person's comprehension may surprise you. Each person has an individual learning profile. It may take a long time and many reprises to get him to understand what is expected. Problems with rigidity of thought may make it difficult for the person to make that leap of understanding. However, using the visual and working towards strengths promotes more independence and a self image of competence and success instead of a self-image of dependence and failure.

Keep Calm and Carry On!

Keep going and gently and gradually build on the person’s competencies. After all, even if the person you are supporting is not suddenly able to cook an entire meal without any help, there may be small gains in independence and communication and even small gains are worthwhile. If you take and laminate photos, don't forget to show the person at the end presenting the meal – that could be the best photo of all!

Extend the Method to Other Activities

This method can be extended to any task -– getting dressed for example or cleaning teeth, gardening or housework – and can lead to much more independence. Once people are used to sequencing photos and pictures, they can be used for personal story books, calendars and a whole host of other activities. They can provide topics of communication for people who find initiating communication difficult.

The Limit is Your Own Imagination

The moral is, if you are supporting people with autism, use the visual and use your imagination to supplement theirs. You will see the world through their eyes!