Using visuals

We use visuals in our everyday life. Road signs, pictures, photographs, television, emojis are some of the visuals we use to enhance our daily communication. Can we do without them? When we use visual items such as an object, photograph, sign or picture to communicate, we refer to it as visual support.

Visual supports are used to enhance communication. People with speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) use visuals as alternative means of communication.

Visual supports can also be used as a way of supplementing an individual’s speech when it is not clear.

Benefits of visual supports

Visual supports have several benefits, especially for individuals with SLCN:

• ‘Visuals stay, words fly away…’. It is easy to forget words but visuals often create an image in the mind that is permanent. It helps in remembering the key points.

• Visuals help in sharing thoughts and feelings (information sharing)

• Visuals help in choice making and expression of needs and wants

• Visuals help provide structure for children who need to go through each day

Types of visual supports

There are different types of visual supports that can be used to enhance a person’s communication.

Examples of visual supports include real objects, facial expressions, drawings, natural gestures and signs.

Speech and language therapists follow the order in which a child’s understanding of visuals develop to help them use visuals.

Their understanding of visuals follows the following order:

1. Real objects

2. Photographs

3. Pictures

4. Black and white drawings

5. Natural gestures and signs

6. Written words

7. Specially made visual supports e.g., communication books

Ideas

• First and Finishing activities i.e., using the ‘Go’ sign to indicate ‘start’ and a ‘Stop’ sign to indicate ‘finish’.

• Sequencing activities e.g., when eating banana, first you wash the banana, next you peel the banana, then eat the banana and then put the peels in the bin.

• Choice making – food, activities etc.

• Transitions – changing activities

Tips for using visual support

Every visual support used for people with SLCN has a purpose. The purpose often informs the type.

1. Always introduce the visual to the child and tell them what they will use it for.

2. Think about situations in which you will use each visual support.

3. Be consistent in your use of the visual support with the child to help the child learn the meaning of the visual. Use the visual for the same situation all the time.

4. When using real objects, make sure they are motivating for the child. For example, if you support the child to use pictures to make request, begin with pictures of something the child likes and will find motivating to use.

5. You can use real objects with photographs or pictures to gradually transition them from using real objects to photos or pictures.

6. Place the visuals at a place that is visible for the person.

7. Visuals must be easily accessible to all the communication partners of the child. These may include parents, siblings, facilitators at school etc.

The writer is Speech & Language Therapist/Clinical Tutor, University of Ghana. E-mail: jobamp@hotmail.com