Use of Visual Supports with Young Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders

Abstract

Visual supports are a commonly used intervention strategy for individuals on the autism spectrum. Broadly defined as “tools presented visually that support an individual as he or she moves through the…day” Hume (2008), visual supports take on a number of forms and functions. These include, but are not limited to, photographs, icons, written words, objects, furniture arrangement, schedules, maps, labels, organizational systems, timelines, and scripts Hume (2008) and have proven effective in both increasing prosocial behavior (i.e., task engagement, independent performance) and decreasing maladaptive behavior (i.e., self-injurious behavior) across age ranges and settings. Visual supports are recognized as an evidence-based practice by the National Professional Development Center (NPDC) (Odom et al. 2010) and schedules, one example of a visual support, are deemed an established treatment by the National Autism Center’s National Standards Project (National Autism Center’s National Standards Project (NSP) (2009).