Tag: visual supports

How to Teach Waiting to Nonverbal Students.

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Visual Supports for Waiting in Early Childhood Special Education

Waiting is one of the hardest skills for young learners to master, especially for nonverbal children in Special Education. When a child cannot understand the spoken word the idea of “wait” can feel confusing, frustrating or even impossible.

This is where the visual supports help turn spoken words into something students can see. For many learners, visuals are easier to process than language alone. They make expectations clearer, reduce anxiety, and help students feel more confident about what comes next.

What Is Wait Time?

One simple way to use visuals that makes a big difference is during wait time.

Wait time is the pause after you ask a question or give a direction. For some students, especially those with autism, processing language takes a little longer. When adults rush in with prompts or repeat directions too quickly, students may lose the chance to respond independently.

How Visual Cue Cards Help

Visual wait time cards give students a clear signal that it’s okay to pause and think. Instead of filling the silence with more words, the visual does the talking.

These cards help students understand:

  • What they should be doing
  • That a response is expected
  • That help will come, just not yet

Waiting becomes predictable instead of stressful.

Easy Visual Wait Time Tools Teachers Love

“Wait” cards use a simple word or symbol to remind students to pause.

Visual timers or countdown cards show how long the wait will last.

Thinking time cards let students know it’s okay to take a moment before answering.

Turn-taking visuals clearly show whose turn it is during games or group work.

Classroom Tips for Success

  • Teach the visual during calm moments
  • Pair it with a brief verbal cue, then stay quiet
  • Avoid repeating directions while the visual is shown
  • Praise the act of waiting, not just the final response

For more resources for behavior management click here!

Teaching Winter Clothing Life Skills with Adapted Books

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Winter mornings in the classroom always tell a story. Coats on backwards, boots on the wrong feet, and lots of practice figuring out what we wear when it’s cold outside. That’s exactly why I love using winter adapted books to teach clothing life skills in my special education classroom.

This Winter Clothing Adapted Book gives students with autism and special education needs a hands-on way to practice winter clothing vocabulary, sorting, and functional life skills in a predictable, visual format. The simple structure helps students focus, build confidence, and work more independently.

I use this adapted book during morning work, centers, task boxes, and small group instruction. It’s low-prep, easy to reuse, and perfect for reinforcing real-life skills students actually need. The best part is watching students start to recognize which clothes belong in winter, then proudly make those same choices when it’s time to go outside.

If you’re looking for an engaging, meaningful way to teach life skills using adapted books, this winter resource fits seamlessly into daily routines and supports learning that lasts beyond the classroom.

First-Then Boards & Token System for Autism

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Give your students clear expectations and motivating visual support with this First-Then Token Board System designed for autism, ABA therapy, and special education classrooms. This resource includes 10 printable First-Then boards, 7 token style choices, and 30 motivator visual cards—perfect for behavior reinforcement, task completion, transitions, and classroom routines.


These ready-to-use visual supports helps students understand what comes next, stay on task, and build independence. Ideal for autism classrooms, resource teachers, ABA therapists and SLPs.

Whats included

  • 10 First-Then Boards (clean, simple, easy-to-understand designs)
  • 7 Token Choices (large stars, small stars, smileys, colors, etc.)
  • 30 Motivator Choice Cards (classroom rewards, preferred items, activities)
  • First and Then Visuals for easy scheduling
  • Editable icons
  • Printable, low-prep format
  • Perfect for SPED, autism support, ABA, and behavior management

Perfect For

  • Autism support classrooms
  • ABA therapy sessions
  • Special Education teachers
  • Behavior intervention plans
  • Visual schedules and routines
  • Task completion and transitions
  • Reinforcement systems
  • Early childhood + Not Grade Specific

This printable First-Then Token Board is a must-have for autism support and special education! Visual schedules, motivator choices, and token options all included.

Download to

✔ Supports communication for nonverbal or minimally verbal learners
✔ Reduces challenging behaviors by clarifying expectations
✔ Increases student motivation and independence
✔ Flexible use with ANY classroom routine
✔ Easy to print, laminate, and reuse

Welcome back-to-school season!

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It’s such an exciting time, especially for our littlest learners who thrive with hands-on, visual, and sensory-rich activities. If you’re working with children in a preschool/Kindergarten, special education setting, these transition table-top activities can be a gentle and engaging way to ease into routines while learning to transition between tasks. Here’s a list of 5 simple tabletop activities perfect for those early days back, with a focus on fine motor skills, early literacy, and numeracy:

1. Playdough letter & Number Mats

Squish, roll, press! Create custom laminated mats with each child’s name and numbers 1–5. Let them form the letters and numerals using playdough snakes, encouraging finger strength and shape recognition. Add cookie cutters or rollers for extra sensory fun.

2. Pom-Pom Drop with Tongs

Set up cups labeled with numbers and a bin of colorful pom-poms. Children use tongs or adapted tweezers to transfer the pom-poms into the correct cup—fantastic for counting practice and fine motor coordination. Try textured pom-poms for added tactile input.

3. Alphabet Soup Sensory Tray

Fill a shallow bin with dry pasta or rice and scatter plastic or foam letters inside. Provide spoons, scoops, or small ladles for learners to “scoop” letters out and match to visual cue cards or alphabet mats. Engages multiple senses while working on letter ID.

4. Stickers, Dots, Letters and Numbers

Offer large printouts of letters and numbers and invite children to place small circle stickers (like garage sale dots) along the lines. It’s calming, fun, and fantastic for developing finger dexterity and spatial awareness.

5. Build-a-Tower Counting Game

Provide numbered cards (1–10) alongside a set of stacking blocks or Duplo bricks. Kids draw a card and build a tower with the matching number of blocks. Add visual supports for non-verbal communication—like number boards or thumbs-up visuals—for celebrating each success.

Visual supports are a superpower in the special ed classroom—especially for non-verbal learners! They make abstract concepts concrete, help with transitions and understanding, and boost independence.

These low-prep, hands-on activities are not only accessible for non-verbal kiddos, but they’re also filled with opportunities for choice-making, shared attention, and joyful participation.

For more back to school resources try my TPT Store