Ideas for Students Who have Visual Challenges

Using Textures as Symbols

Questions to consider:

• Is there a texture naturally associated with the message?
  For example, at a conference years ago a speech/language pathologist told of using a piece of screen to represent the message "Let's go outside" as a screen door was the last thing the child touched before going outdoors.
• Is the selected texture available in ample quantity that it can be replaced/replicated?

The food choices can be spray laminated and placed permanently on the choice board so the student can not mouth them. To present choices in a different array, the board could be presented upside down and/or replicated with the objects in different locations. Changing the locations helps to keep the student focused on the symbol choices as opposed to learning a positional response (e.g. left side means Fruit Loops as opposed to circular texture).

Velcro the symbols onto the board; a yellow rope can represent a swing that is suspended by a similar feeling rope.

For additional information and references:
YAACK: Teaching AAC-Related Skills

Beukelman, D.R., & Mirenda, P. (1998). 2nd Ed. Augmentative and alternative communication management of severe communication disorders in children and adults. Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.