New Book in February - "Plain and Simple Truths"

Launching February 28:

Plain and Simple Truths is a practical teaching resource that consists of simple hands-on activities that are used to teach religious ideas. It's like Cub Scout science meets Religion 101. The flexible lesson plans also include links to additional resources such as LDS General Conference talks and videos. This resource can be used for Family Home Evening, the new youth curriculum, Sunday School, Priesthood classes, and Relief Society lessons. It's also appropriate for those with cognitive disabilities.

Looking for bloggers who would be willing to review the book, post launch information (including a contest), or do an author interview from February 9-28. Email me at ldparsons60@gmail.com with your blog address for more information!

Using Visuals to Improve Behavior

Many children with learning differences struggle to understand the spoken word. They may not comprehend teacher expectations, classroom rules, or re-direction. This situation can result in poor behavior when they don't realize what they need to do. Here are a few ways to help:

Visuals can serve to explain what is expected of each student:



Students are less anxious when they see their schedule:



They help remind students of possible consequences:



Visuals can help explain a reward system:



To help deal with problem behaviors:


And to communicate:



How do you use visuals for behavior?

Visuals to Increase Comprehension at School for All Subjects

There are many ways visuals can help children with disabilities do better in school. They can be used to help remember previous lessons, 

Visuals can serve as a reminder of content information the class has already learned.

They also can help the child review strategies.

Pictures can be used to check understanding without increasing reading load.

They can help a child prepare for learning.

And give guidance during the construction of a paragraph.

Organizing information to understand the subject or begin a report is another use. 

Help remembering what to do next is a productive use of pictures or written words. 

Math processes can be reinforced with visuals.

And abstract information becomes real through the right pictures.

How does your child use visuals in the classroom for comprehension?

Next time: Using visuals for behavior. 

Eight Ways to Use Visuals for Comprehension at Home

Many children with disabilities have significant memory problems. Not only does this impact academics, but parents often see challenges when giving directions or trying to teach basic life skills.

Here are a few ways visuals can be incorporated into your home life:

• They can be used to help communicate (no yelling)

• The child can use visuals to make requests or choices

•  Use visual reminders for personal care routines

• Daily schedules can be communicated through visuals,

•  as can changes

• Pictures can help teach household tasks

• Children can be taught to work for a reward with visuals

• Pictures can also be used for lists in the community

How do you use visuals at home?

Next time: using visuals for comprehension in school subjects

Visual Strategies for Children with Disabilities

Students with learning disabilities, attention problems, or autism often require visual strategies to make progress. These teaching methods can decrease the amount of time required for learning, improve subject comprehension, facilitate information retrieval, and increase retention rates.

To decrease learning time, visuals reinforce auditory information and serve as reminders. Here are a few examples of visual schedule use:

Visual schedules decrease anxiety as students can anticipate activity changes and look forward to preferred activities. They also increase independence as the children can move through their day with fewer prompts.

Students who think concretely may require a schedule with objects.



Some of these learners may then be transitioned to pictures,



and others may eventually move to a written schedule.



How have you used visual schedules?

Next time: Using visuals to improve comprehension of subject matter.