In this episode of Autism Academy 360, Lisa Hollady discusses the powerful role visuals play in both our everyday lives and the classroom. From driving directions to restaurant menus, visuals help guide us through various tasks without overwhelming us. Lisa emphasizes how visuals can support students with Autism and benefit all learners by creating independence and reducing frustration from verbal overload. 

Episode Highlights:

• Visuals help navigate everyday tasks like driving, shopping, and ordering food.
• Over-reliance on verbal directions in the classroom can overwhelm students, leading to frustration and negative behaviors.
• Classroom visuals such as labeled materials, turn-in bins, and task lists promote independence and reduce the need for constant reminders.
• Visual supports can also streamline home routines, with an example of how a bedtime visual schedule drastically reduced negative behavior.