Visual Aids
Create free, personalised visual supports using pictures, symbols, photographs and your own words. Visual aids can help make information clearer, support communication and make everyday situations more predictable.
Clear information in a visual way
Visual aids use symbols, photographs, pictures and written words to support understanding and communication. They can be adapted to the individual and used for routines, choices, transitions, new experiences and everyday activities.
How visual aids can help
Visual information stays available for longer than spoken information, giving someone more time to understand and refer back to it.
- Show what is happening now and what will happen next.
- Support routines and sequences.
- Make choices clearer.
- Prepare for changes or unfamiliar situations.
- Reduce reliance on repeated spoken instructions.
Make it personal
There is no single right way to make a visual aid. Different people prefer different pictures, words and layouts.
- Use ARASAAC symbols within the creator.
- Upload your own photographs.
- Change the wording to suit the person.
- Keep the amount of information manageable.
- Adapt the resource if something is not helping.
What can you create?
Show what happens first and what happens afterwards.
Show the current activity and what is coming up.
Present genuine choices visually.
Show activities in the order they will happen.
Create prompts, reminders, choices or useful information.
Create a clear visual explanation of a situation, event or change.
Using visual aids
Visual supports are most helpful when they are clear, accurate and used in a way that makes sense to the person.
- Introduce them calmly where possible.
- Use short, clear wording.
- Give time to process the information.
- Keep the visual accurate if plans change.
- Change it if the resource is not helping.
Free and easy to use
The ASD Helping Hands Visual Aids Creator is free to use and does not require an account.
Choose a resource, personalise the words and pictures, preview it, then print or download your finished visual aid.
Ready to create a visual aid?
Open our Visual Aids Creator to choose a format and build your personalised resource. No account is needed.