We tend to think in pictures and then find the words to express our thoughts and what we ‘see’.

At Options we use a lot of visual teaching not only to aid understanding but also to assist the student recall the words needed for expression. The most frequently used pictures are taken from Boardmaker (Mayer-Johnson) or commercially available clip art. We tend not to use a lot of photographs because they can often be too accurate – especially for the student who attends enthusiastically to specific detail. Black and white photos can minimise extraneous details i.e. the colour of the cup.

When we use sign language at Options we prefer to work first on natural gesture and hand/body signals that are easily understood in the community. If the child obviously needs to express language and speech is unclear then a formalised system such as Key Word Sign or the Makaton Vocabulary will be used along with strategies to develop speech and literacy.

Visual supports are also used to help develop speech and language. We use computer based programs such as Speech Sounds on Cue, REACT and Mind Reading. We also use hand prompts for articulation such as Cued Articulation.

Our ultimate goal is to assist students attain their potential in spoken language and literacy. This is important because pictures and photos can communicate only a fraction of the language we need for daily life.