Visual Support

Why do we need it?

Visual support helps support the understanding of written and spoken language. Some young people find it difficult to listen, process and remember. A lot of information in school is conveyed verbally. If young people struggle with listening, processing and remembering then this type of input is problematic (even if the information is repeated this can often involve lots of words and rewording of the information). Think about a time when you have struggled to understand, maybe you were in a non-English speaking place - what did you rely on to help'?

Visuals are:

  • permanent

  • supportive in building confidence in a task and help young people work more independently.

  • important for language processing

  • excellent at helping young people ‘see’ what you mean

  • transferable between people and places

  • helpful for ALL students not just those with SLCN


A young person at Highfurlong using symbols to support his communication

What is it?

  • symbols

  • pictures

  • demonstrations

  • objects

  • photos

  • diagrams

  • actions

Widgit Online

As a Widgit Centre Of Excellence, we use the Widgit Online tool to create personalised symbol resources.

You can access the same system for a free 21 day trial by visiting Widgit Online here.

You can register for the trial by simply entering your email address.

Visual Support – The Resilient Classroom

A Communication Friendly Classroom will promote students resilience through:

Basics – For pupils to be more resilient basic structures need to be in place, especially around the visual supports that will help communication. The classroom will be more meaningful and understood by pupils and will therefore feel like a safer place.

Belonging – It is important that pupils have a sense of belonging and visuals within the classroom can play a big part of that. Visual displays of their work, photos of them and their friends will help a young person feel that they belong there.

Learning- Visual supports for academic and emotional learning will be part of what can help school work as well as possible for a young person. A communication friendly classroom should have visuals that will develop talents, interests and life skills

Coping – Our young people will face adversities in their lives and being resilient can help them overcome them, beat the odds and even change the odds. Visual clues in the classroom can help students cope, solve problems, and understand right from wrong.

Core Self - Understanding who we are , being self-aware and taking responsibility is important for students. Visual supports around, feelings, classroom rules and responsibilities will mean that the communication friendly classroom is also one which will develop resilience.