Using Autism Visual Supports to Help Your Autistic Child Follow Directions

Autism Visual Support Lanyard Cards

Does your child seem bright, able to complete puzzles, and even randomly identify letters of the alphabet, yet often have no response when you ask them to hang up their backpack or put their shoes away? It can be puzzling as a parent to determine if a child is just ignoring a request because they do not want to and don't have the language to express that or if they do not understand what was said to them.

It can often be difficult to understand if autistic children do not want to complete tasks adults have asked of them or if they are having auditory processing delays.

While their child's hearing may be normal, they might be experiencing auditory processing delays. These delays make it difficult for them to understand and respond to spoken instructions. This is where autism visual supports come into play, offering a powerful tool to help bridge the communication gap. A significant number of children with autism benefit from these supports as they struggle with interpreting auditory directions alone.

Table of Contents

1. Hearing Impairment?

2. Understanding Auditory Processing Delays in Autism

3. The Importance of Visual Support for Verbal Instructions

4. Autism Visual Supports

5. Conclusion: Promoting Independence

Research indicates that around 90% of individuals with autism experience sensory abnormalities, with auditory hypersensitivity being the most common. This can manifest as challenges in filtering background noise and difficulties in understanding verbal cues​ (Frontiers)​ (BioMed Central).

Understanding Auditory Processing Delays in Autism

Auditory processing delays are more common in children with autism.

Auditory processing delays involve the brain's ability to interpret and make sense of sounds, especially in noisy environments. For children with autism, these delays can result in delayed language acquisition and difficulty understanding spoken words, even if they can hear them clearly.

Approximately 60% to 90% of children with autism are affected by these sensory processing challenges, which contribute to their struggles with following verbal instructions​ (Frontiers).

The Importance of Visual Support for Verbal Instructions

Pairing verbal directions with visuals can be a crucial strategy in helping children with autism better understand and process instructions. Visual cues provide a clear and consistent representation of the desired behavior, bridging the gap between what the child hears and what is expected of them. For instance, showing a picture card that represents "quiet voice" while giving the verbal instruction reinforces the message and can significantly improve comprehension.

Autism Visual Supports with realistic photos are often popular with younger children.

Autism Visual Supports

Autism visual supports can be incredibly versatile tools for helping children with autism or auditory processing delays understand language and follow instructions. These supports can take many forms, such as picture cards, visual schedules, or even simple hand-drawn images. What's important is that the visual aid you choose is easy to create, convenient to use, and accessible when you need it most.

Experiment with different types of visuals, such as realistic photos, cartoon images, or hand-drawn pictures, to see which ones resonate best with your child. Some children respond more effectively to realistic photos (especially younger children), while others might find abstract representations more engaging.

Once you've found what works, having these supports readily available can make communication smoother and less frustrating.

If you're short on time or energy, tools like Behavior Reminder Cards are a ready-made solution. These cards, designed as a digital download, offer a practical way to support children with autism in understanding and following directions. By using these cards alongside verbal instructions, parents and teachers can provide a visual aid that enhances communication, reduces reliance on verbal prompts, and minimizes frustration for both the child and the adult.

If a child is not complying with a request due to opposition, removing the verbal aspect of the request can often make the child feel less pressured and more inclined to cooperate. This is another reason visuals are often effective with autistic children.

Verbal instructions can sometimes trigger resistance because they are perceived as direct demands, which may lead to oppositional behavior. By using visual supports, such as behavior reminder cards, you present the instruction as a neutral direction rather than a direct command coming from the parent or teacher. This subtle shift can reduce the likelihood of resistance and encourage the child to follow through with the desired behavior.

For those interested in incorporating this strategy into their routines, you can make your own cards or purchase and download these Behavior Reminder Cards. They are an excellent resource for creating a supportive and effective communication environment for children with auditory processing delays. Consider selecting the cards that you find most helpful or create multiple sets to avoid overwhelming your child with too many choices.

Conclusion: Promoting Independence and Confidence

By integrating visual supports, you're not only making communication clearer but also helping children with autism develop greater independence and confidence in their ability to follow directions.

References:

1. "Auditory Processing and ASD." Journal of Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Available here​ (BioMed Central).

2. Research data on auditory processing delays and their prevalence in children with autism, Neurodiversity Studies​ (Frontiers).