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Visual Learning and Autism

People with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) face many challenges that neurotypical individuals don’t. They may struggle with verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and more.

These challenges — as well as restricted and/or repetitive interests and behaviors — often cause children the autism spectrum to struggle a bit in traditional classrooms. However, at the same time, many children with autism can excel in educational and professional environments.

People with autism are visual learners. This is why professionals often use many visual cues and tools when they are teaching children with ASD new skills, how they can complete daily life tasks and more.

Not every person with autism is a visual learner. That being said, having visual aids such as picture cards and other related tools can prove to be extremely helpful.

Below, we’ll discuss visual learning and autism more.

Table Of Contents

When the Link Was First Discovered

It’s been commonly accepted that children with autism are visual learners for nearly 30 years now. In 1995, Temple Grandin published a book called “Thinking in Pictures,” which significantly impacted how people thought about learning as it relates to people with autism.

In her book, Grandin — who has ASD and is a prominent engineer — explained she “thinks in pictures” and not words. As a result, she believes that some tasks, such as those related to her job as an engineer, are actually much easier than if she didn’t learn this way.

This idea built greatly on Howard Gardner’s theory from the 1960s that there were 12 different types of intelligences, one of which was called visual/spatial intelligence. This refers to the brain’s ability to “visualize with the mind’s eye,” which comes into play whenever we try to envision how a room should be laid out, how we memorize things such as maps or try to complete a puzzle.

All of this is one reason why people on the autism spectrum are often good at design, engineering, architecture, completing puzzles, organizing objects and navigating routes.

The Benefits of Visual Tools for Children with Autism

Since it’s known that many children with autism are visual learners, professionals such as ABA therapists often use visual tools to help teach different skills. These visual tools help children on the autism spectrum understand what is being taught to them in an easier way.

Some children who aren’t on the autism spectrum are visual learners, too. However, providing visual tools for children with ASD is especially important since they typically have trouble with verbal communication.

What this means is that even though they might not completely understand spoken commands, they might have an easier time following a picture that signifies it’s time to complete a certain command.

For example, instead of speaking a direction such as “it’s time to brush your teeth,” children with autism might be more successful following visual prompts such as a picture of a toothbrush.

Understanding that your child with ASD might be a visual learner is important in figuring out how you can best support them.

Examples of Visual Tools That Work

If your child is getting applied behavioral analysis treatment, also known as ABA therapy, you can speak to their therapist to figure out which visual tools could help you better support your child.

Some of these tools they might even integrate into ABA therapy sessions and use to teach various skills. Examples include …

  • Visual schedules: These boards allow for pictograms to be attached to them. They will indicate different activities that are taking place on certain days and at certain times, such as meals, play time and more. These schedules are actually very effective for all young children, whether or not they’re on the autism spectrum.
  • Social stories: These tools provide valuable information to children on appropriate ways to behave in different situations. It might include how to cope with different emotions, how to share, how to follow directions and more.
  • Visual timers: Children with autism often have trouble understanding the concept of time. Visual timers can help them understand when one activity is going to end and a transition to another will begin. These are essentially countdown clocks that allow children to visually see progress.
  • Videos: Videos are also great for children with autism. Instead of using words alone to teach concepts, videos can help these children by combining speech and visual aids. In time, they end up repeating what they hear and then mirroring the actions as well.

Blue Gems ABA Uses Visual Tools in ABA Therapy

Many children on the autism spectrum are visual learners. As such, they benefit greatly from visual tools that help guide their learning and development.

At Blue Gems ABA, our team of experienced BCBAs integrate different visual aspects into the treatment plan often so that children can better grasp the concepts being taught. In this way, they are able to build the social, communication and daily life skills with which they typically struggle.

To learn more, please contact us today.