49 Visual Cueing
Definition
A visual sign or symbol the teacher can use to cue a student to support them with carrying out a certain behaviour.
In action
Co-create a system of visual supports with students that can be used as reminders (e.g., showing a student a picture of a pencil instead of asking if they have one).
Support Strategies
- Use cue cards that signal appropriate behaviors (e.g., a green light to indicate a student can proceed with a task)
- Consistently label objects in the environment so they correspond with visual cues (e.g., if a teacher uses a cue card with a visual for “books,” the library should have the same visual)
- If a student is using a visual schedule or a task schedule, ensure the visual cues are included
Case Study
Student: A Grade 2 student in a music lesson.
Context: The teacher is distributing instruments to students in partners.
Problem: The student is struggling to understand when it is their turn to play the instrument and when it is their partner’s turn.
Solution: The teacher can create visual “your turn/my turn” cards to provide the student with a visual cue that helps them with the waiting.
Additional Resources
- Video about the importance of visual information for students with ASD from Reading Rockets
- Breakdown of how visuals can be used to support students with ASD from the Ontario Ministry of Education
- Description, examples, and common challenges of using visual cues from AFIRM
- Description of non-verbal cues from UT- Permian Basis
- Chart with different types of cueing and prompting from TEA
