Updated February 2026
Workshop Presentation - Visual Aids and Strategies
EVERYONE benefits from Visual Aids!
Contact Vizually Speaking today to learn how customized Visual Aids and Strategies can decrease undesired behaviour(s), improve communication, promote independence, and increase self-confidence. Through our dynamic presentation, you will:
✓ Uncover the importance of using customized Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Explore the wide range of benefits of customized Visual Aids and Strategies.
✓ Learn practical ways to overcome communication barriers.
✓ Support independence and decrease undesired behaviours.
✓ Access NEW and valuable resources.
Real objects provide three-dimensional, tactile visual support, making them the most concrete and easiest form of visual information for an individual to recognize and understand. Because they can be seen, touched, and manipulated, real objects offer multiple sensory inputs, which increases comprehension, reduces cognitive load, and supports meaningful engagement—particularly for individuals with communication differences, developmental delays, brain injuries, or cognitive impairments.
Written words, by contrast, are the most abstract form of visual representation, requiring advanced symbolic understanding, language processing, and memory. For this reason, real objects are considered the baseline or foundation when determining the most appropriate type of visual aid to implement.
Real objects can be effectively used across a wide range of visual aids and strategies, including:
✓ Object schedules and routines
✓ Choice-making and decision supports
✓ Transition supports
✓ First–then boards
✓ Activity preparation and task initiation
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Emotional regulation and coping supports
Using real objects promotes predictability, reduces anxiety, and increases independence by clearly communicating expectations and outcomes. As an individual’s understanding and symbolic skills develop, visual supports may gradually progress along a continuum—from real objects, to photographs, to symbols or line drawings, and eventually to written words—ensuring supports remain developmentally appropriate and meaningful.
Vizually Speaking understands that finding time in today’s highly demanding world to create customized visual aids and strategies can be a great challenge. Vizually Speaking is committed to working collaboratively, providing step-by-step support and assisting in the development and implementation of customized visual aids and strategies.
Contact us today for your FREE consultation.
Selecting the appropriate level of visual representation is essential for successful communication, participation, and learning. Beginning with concrete, functional visuals supports understanding, reduces frustration, and minimizes undesired behaviours.
Visual aids follow a hierarchy of complexity, progressing from the most concrete to the most abstract: real objects, miniatures, photographs, line drawings, symbols, and finally, the written word.
Vizually Speaking understands that finding time in today’s highly demanding world to create customized visual aids and strategies can be a great challenge. Vizually Speaking is committed to working collaboratively, providing step-by-step support and assisting in the development and implementation of customized visual aids and strategies.
Contact us today for your FREE consultation.
