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Article: Using Visual Aids to Take Advantage of Your Child's Visual Learning Style

Today I'm blogging over at Special-ism.

My post is about visual learners and how we need to take advantage of the visual aids around us.  That's right, computers and TV are often considered to be bad for children but actually, they're some of the best tools for visual learners.

I also talk about taking visual learners to real-life places and about experimentation and play within the home.

Click here to read it.
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Comments

My Aspergers Teen said…
I couldn't comment on the post itself, but I wanted to thank you for writing it. My 13 year-old son has AS and is a very hands on learner. He's going to high school next year and there's already a subtle push toward learning a trade. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that, but I also don't want him to think those are his only choices. If only his school tried harder to teach him other things in the ways that work best for him!
April 22, 2012 at 1:46 PM
Anonymous said…
Thank you so much for the wonderful ideas. I will definitely be trying some of them. Until now, if it isn't Star Wars related, I just can't get my 5 year old to focus on it. The one success I have had is cooking....he loves to cook with me and measuring out and counting ingredients is a great learning opportunity.

I would also suggest that parents of Aspies invest in a Wii...the games tend to be much more interactive and there are a lot of opportunities to help with coordination. My son loves the dancing games like Just Dance and the Michael Jackson Experience. They are great because he gets some physical activity that isn't sports related (which he hates) and it can ne done in private so he doesn't feel self conscious about his movements.
April 23, 2012 at 1:22 AM
Sarah Tarrant said…
I agree with you there...
We are getting an ipad for our daughter.. you can download ABA therapy apps etc... a therapy that costs on average $80k a year...

The first time my daughter sat and let me read a book to her all the way through, was an e-book on her granny's ipad.
April 24, 2012 at 11:57 AM
Sarahiously said…
Ps; is there are link to your blog on specialism? would love to read it!
April 25, 2012 at 8:56 AM
Magic Garden Music said…
Yes I agree, if like me and many other Autistic people you have a lot of trouble following verbal instructions, it is a good idea to also have something visual to use as an aid to understanding information.

Regards
Steve
April 28, 2012 at 6:46 PM
Kas said…
@my asperger teen: I just wanted to comment on the trades and aspergers, just a couple things to consider, 1)Most instruction in the trades is verbal 2)there is a wide range of personalities in the trades, any where from the intellectual through to bullies, but some are less prone to bullies than others, electrical or a maintanence job might be good 3)most companies have little to no experience with anyone with disabilities 4)trades people swear, spit, call colleagues names 5)you need to have a tough skin 6)a lot of sensory things ie:loud noises, strong smells, dust 7)there can be a lot of personal protective equipment ie: hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, steel toe boots- that is the minimum.

I just wanted to illustrate that there is a lot more to consider than "very hands on learner." Hope this helps.
June 8, 2012 at 8:16 AM
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