Visual Supports for Students with ASD

Browse this collection of visual supports and other resources to help your students with ASD be successful socially and academically in school. You'll find templates for social rules, classroom rules, emotional support, schedules, and more.

This collection of visual supports and other resources provides examples of various strategies that can be used to support students on the autism spectrum, as well as others with and without disabilities.

Some of these visuals have also been used as part of a school’s Response to Intervention (RTI) or as part of School-wide Positive Behavior Supports (PBIS).

Many of the visuals can also be used with families to assist their child at home.

Visual supports for school

This category provides visual supports for the school setting.

5 Point Scale for Test Taking
8 ½ x 11, color and numbered 5 point scale to indicate levels of anxiety over test taking and what to do at each level when feeling anxiety.
5 Point Scale for Voices on the Bus
An Incredible 5 Point Scale to use on the school bus for voice volume. A Level 1 is “silence; Level 2 is “whispering”-ok for the bus; Level 3 is “Talking-appropriate for the bus”; Level 4 is “Yelling for outdoors only” and Level 5 is “Screaming for emergency only”. The student can hold a copy of the scale or the scale can be posted on the bus in view of the student.
All About Me
This form is used to share information about a student to new teacher, employer or caregiver.
Ask the Teacher - 1
8 ½ x 11 pages of 2 x 3 cards. Provides information to student on what to do if you do not know how to do a problem.
Asking Someone to Play
8 ½ x 11 color Mayer Johnson picture symbols; 2 page social narrative on strategies to use to ask someone to play at recess.
Bathroom
This visual shows a picture of a toilet with the text, "bathroom". 6 1/2 x 3 1/2 black & white image with text, "bathroom".
Bus Calming Letter
8 ½ x 11, one page letter with a sample five point scale. Letter to be sent home to parents to obtain information about what could potentially cause student behavior on the bus and what calms the student down in stressful situations. It is one of a two page packet.
Bus Reminders
A visual to help individuals understand expectations on the school bus.
Bus Route
An example of a social narrative about the bus ride to school and what to expect.
Bus Rules
This is a vertical picture schedule with printed word directions on how to ride the bus.
Bus: I Can Ride the Bus
A narrative to help individuals understand expectations on the school bus.
Bus: Riding the Bus 1
A visual to help individuals understand expectations on the school bus. Includes good choices on the bus.
Bus: Riding the Bus 2
A visual to help individuals understand expectations on the school bus. Includes information for to and from school.
Bus: The School Bus Narrative
A narrative to help individuals understand expectations on the school bus.
Cafeterial Rules
8 ½ x 11, using Mayer Johnson symbols and text, showing the steps/strategies to be used in the cafeteria.
Choice Cards
Twelve picture symbol cards to indicate choice activities when taking a break
Circle Time
8 ½ x 11, using Mayer Johnson symbols and text, 3 page social narrative about circle time and directions to follow.
Classroom Arrival Rules
8 ½ x 11, using Mayer Johnson symbols and text, visual schedule and checklist which has the steps to a classroom arrival routine with boxes to check off each step as it is completed.
Classroom Behavior
This group of visuals are to be used to indicate what behavior is needed for appropriate classroom behavior. Eight color images approximately 2 x 2 each with text.
Classroom Procedure Bookmark
8 ½ x 11, color picture symbols with printing bookmark with reminders on what to do for appropriate classroom procedures.
Code of Conduct
This visual outlines what behavior is needed for appropriate classroom behavior. Text only; no images. 3 sets per sheet.
Community Businesses
14 color 2 x 2 inch Mayer Johnson symbols of restaurants and soda.
Community Helpers
8 ½ x 8, using Mayer Johnson symbols and black text, a board to help a student identify what the problem is, what community helper can help, where that community helper works and what the worker may use to help.
Do Not Disturb
8 ½ x 11, 2 visual supports on one page. One indicates that “I’m having a bad day and need some space”. The other is “Do not disturb. I want to talk to the teacher in private.”
Do Not Talk
Visual support to indicate that a person is not to talk. 2 1/2 x 2 1/2 color image with text.
Earthquake Drill Narrative
A visual narrative to prepare for an earthquake drill Function: To prepare for the change in schedule of having an earthquake drill at school
Emergency Drill Visuals
A visual task strip to prepare for emergency drills Function: To prepare for the change in schedule of having emergency drills at school.
Exercise Ball
Visual support to indicate procedures/rules for using the exercise ball. 3 1/2 x 2 1/2 color image with text.
Fidget Rules
Visual supports to teach procedures for using fidgets in the classroom. 8 1/2 x 11 with colorful images and text.
Fidget Social Narrative
This social narrative gives visual information to a student as to procedures on why and how to use a fidget in the classroom. This social narrative consists of 4 pages of text and color photographs.
Field Day
A social narrative to support social skills during Field Day. Function: To describe being a good sport whether winning or losing at a game during Field Day.
Fire Drill Narrative
A visual narrative to prepare for Fire Drills Function: To prepare for the change in schedule of having a fire drill.
Fire Drills
A social narrative explaining about fire drills, what they are and what to do.
First Then
Visual support to show student what comes first and what comes next. 8 1/2 x 4 with color text.
Get to Know Me
A visual for individuals transitioning to a new school or job. Function: To provide an opportunity to share information for a successful transition.
Getting the Teacher's Attention
8 ½ x 11 , I page social narrative using picture symbols and text on how to appropriately get the teacher’s attention.
Go Back to Your Seat
8 ½ x 11 with color pictures and text. Function: A page of strips to indicate that the student needs to return to their seat.
Going Home
8 ½ x 11 , 3 page social narrative using picture symbols and printed words on going home from school.
Going to Prom
A narrative to prepare for prom. Function: To help individuals understand what will happen during prom.
Hands in Pants at School
Shows TV character with his hand in his pants and the universal red circle/slash over the picture. Text below the picture reads, "This is not appropriate at school." 4 x 4 with color pictures and text
Helpful Hints for the Bus
This document provides 10 hints/suggestions for creating a positive bus ride. Written for staff to help support students.
Homework Checklist 1 of 2
8 ½ x 11 with colored pictures and print Function: A checklist for the steps to independently complete the steps for homework AM checklist Page 1 0f 2. See Checklist 2 of 2 for second page.
Homework Checklist 2 of 2
8 ½ x 11 with color pictures and text Function: A checklist for the steps to independently complete the steps for homework AM checklist. This is page 2 of 2. For page 1, see "Homework Checklist 1 of 2".
Homework Scale
8 ½ X 11 colored and numbered cards to indicate how much homework tonight, how I feel, what can I do by myself and what I need help with.
I am Confused
8 ½ x 11 with color pictures and text. Function: A checklist for asking for clarification about an assignment or what someone said.
I Keep My Shoes on at School
A social narrative to help individuals understand why they have to keep their shoes on at school. Function: To help individuals keep their shoes on at school.
I Need to Go to the Office
Visual support to indicate that a student is upset and needs to go to the office. Color image and text.
I Walk to My Classroom
A social narrative to help individuals transition to their classroom when they arrive at school.
Independent Work - Bookmark format
This visual is designed in bookmark format to show three steps needed to be able to independently complete work in a school setting. Color images with text; 2 bookmarks per page.
iPad Work and Play Visuals
Visual placemats for indicating whether an iPad is being used for work or play. Function: To help individuals understand expectations when using an iPad at school.
ISTEP
A visual support to explain ISTEP Function: To prepare for ISTEP
Levels of Help
3 ½ by 12, 3 squares: red, green and yellow that indicate different levels of help a student made need.
Listen to Teacher
This visual is in bookmark format listing 4 steps so students can independently listen to the teacher and use appropriate behavior. Color images with text.
Lockdown Information
A social narrative with pictures describing a school lockdown, what to expect and appropriate behavior during a lockdown.
Middle School Welcome Packet
This 20 page describes various scenarios with text and images.Topics covered: What if I am upset/angry, substitute teacher, passing time too noisy, someone is bothering me, etc.
Monthly Calendar
8 ½ x 11, 1 page sheet using colored Mayer Johnson symbols and black print. A blank monthly calendar that can be filled in with dates and can be used with any month.
Oops Change in Schedule
8 ½ x 11 with colored pictures and print Function: A visual support to indicate there has been a change in schedule with spaces to write what the change is and how it is fixed.
Open to Page
This visual is displayed to indicate what page the teacher want the student or class to be on or to turn to. Usually laminated and page number can be written with dry erase marker for easy wipe off and re-use. Also page number can be written on chalk board/dry erase board; cutting out the large rectangle on page. Then the visual is mounted on board with the cut out becoming a "frame" around the page number. approximately 8 1/2 x 6 -- two visuals per page.
Pledge of Allegiance
A social narrative to help explain expectations for the Pledge of the Allegiance. Function: To help individuals understand expectations for the Pledge of the Allegiance.
Positive Attitude Classroom
8 ½ x 11, visual support to indicate that you are entering a positive attitude classroom. Has multiple happy face emoticons.
Pull String Visuals
This visual support is a collection of 2 x 2 color images with text that can be used on a ring or retractable badge cord. Images are used to support behaviors and classroom procedures. 3 pages of color images;6 color images per page.
Recess
A social narrative and visual set that explain inside and outside recess. Includes a matching visual support. Function: To help individuals understand expectations with inside and outside recess.
Sentence Check
This visual support is in bookmark form; used to remind student of steps needed to write and complete a correct sentence. 8 1/2 by 11 page contains 2 colorful bookmarks with text.
Sit in Seat
4 x 6, colored picture symbols with printing indicating that student needs to sit in their seat, stay quiet and do their work.
Snow Day
A visual support to explain snow days. Function: To prepare for changes in routine and expectations on snow days.
Snow Day or Two Hour Delay
A visual support to prepare for snow days or two hour delays. Includes calendar visuals for families. Function: To prepare for changes in routine and schedule related to snow days or two hour delays.
Snow Day With Photos
A social narrative using photographs to describe the possibility of a snow day or a two hour delay.
Snow Make Up Days
A visual support to explain longer days and snow make up days Function: To prepare for changes in routine due to snow days.
Summer Break Story
A visual for individuals transitioning to summer break Function: To prepare for summer break
Teachers Only
A visual support to place on classroom drawers and cabinets, etc that only teachers are to open. Approximately 3x3 cards.
Test 5 Point Scale
Visual supports to indicate student's feelings during test taking and possible coping strategies. 8 1/2 x 11 color and numbered levels.
Time for Class to Start
This is a visual support to remind a student of steps that need to be completed when class is starting. 8 1/2 x 11 color image with text
Time For Class To Start 2
8 ½ x 11, colored picture symbols with printing with reminders on what to do when it is time for class to start.
Using the School iPad?
A social narrative to help students understand expectations for use of iPad at school. Function: To help individuals understand expectations when using an iPad at school.
What I Did At School
8 ½ x 11 sheet, color Mayer Johnson symbols that can be marked to indicate what a student did at school that day. The student can trace over words and teacher can add notes.
When There Is No Chocolate Milk
This social narrative utilizes the 4 sentence types used in writing social narratives. "When There is ..." is a social narrative to assist student when a preferred lunch item is not available.
Which Snack? Object Communication Board
Student pulls items off board and hands them to teacher to request snack. Board is combination of objects, real packages and photos (omit photos for a student who is only recognizing objects). Function: teaching student to communicate wants and needs.
Why I Use a Schedule
A visual support to explain the purpose of using a daily schedule, including the concept of change.
Winter Break
A visual support to prepare for Winter Break. Includes calendar visuals for families. Function: To prepare for changes in routine and schedule related to Winter Break.
Working in Small Groups
Printed size: 8 1/2 x 11 with color picture symbols and text. This social narrative provides information about how to work in small groups.
Write Stuff
Visual supports to assist a student in making a choice on a handwriting replacement strategy. 8 1/2 x 11 color images with text