Visual supports are concrete cues that are paired with, or used in place of, a verbal cue to provide the learner with information about a routine, activity, behavioral expectation, or skill demonstration. Visual supports might include: "pictures," "written words," "objects," "arrangement of the environment,"…

Social narratives describe social situations for learners with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) by providing relevant cues, explanation of the feelings and thoughts of others in the social situation, and descriptions of appropriate behavior expectations. Typically, social narratives are individualized based upon the needs of the learner, short, and…

Students who are slow to respond to traditional instruction and intervention require intensified intervention. Visual Activity Schedules (VAS) are an evidence-based type of visual support that provide sequential organization of the steps for an activity or skill. VAS can be aligned with individual student needs, including behavioral support. VAS…

The most researched and effective practice for instructing children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is applied behavior analysis (ABA; Baer, Wolf, & Risley, 1968; Reichow, 2012; Smith & Eikeseth, 2011; Virués-Ortega, 2010). ABA is a scientific approach to systematic instruction, data collection, and data analysis based on observable…

A hallmark of Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is difficulties with social communication, and some learners with ASD experience additional deficits in expressive and/or receptive language that impair their ability to interact with others. However, a strength observed in many learners with ASD is responding to visual cues and structure. The use of…

Two strategies in teaching mentally retarded employees to maintain their work behavior are described: one incorporates cues produced and managed by change agents and the other actively enjoins the subject to ultimately rely upon management of his/her own behavior. The value of each approach is discussed. (Author/CL)

Gestural cueing may be used successfully with children who do not require exposure to a sign or total communication approach. Emphasizing cueing in both the training and generalization phases of language learning, this article discusses specific learning activities, the effect of motor components on language, and procedures for using gestural…

Learning disabled elementary school children can learn subtraction skills with the aid of "hide and seek" number concept cards and a five-step sequence: (1) find a way to work it out, (2) add to check, (3) look for subtraction "partners," (4) group facts into "families," and (5) practice. (CB)

The article outlines an approach to memory remediation that attempts to teach memory-impaired patients domain-specific knowledge relevant to their everyday functioning. Studies support the use of a training technique, the method of vanishing cues, in the successful generalization to the workplace of knowledge acquired in the laboratory. (DB)

This factsheet presents numerous ways that parents can interact with their deaf-blind children. The challenges facing children with deaf-blindness are explained and compared to children without disabilities. Ways to recognize and then respond to children's actions are suggested, and tips for developing good communication are presented, including…

This fact sheet presents numerous ways that parents can interact with their deaf-blind children. The challenges facing children with deaf-blindness are explained and compared to children without disabilities. Ways to recognize and then respond to children's actions are suggested and tips for developing good communication are presented, including…

Examines the use of pictures by different learners in different ways, and presents guidelines for using pictures in teaching culturally diverse children. The degree of complexity versus simplicity is discussed, the need for effective directional cues is emphasized, and depth and motion cues are described. (LRW)

This article describes instructional procedures for helping students with learning disabilities become more effective mnemonic keyword strategy users. The procedures involve providing a rationale, providing explicit strategy-attribution instruction, modeling strategy use with think-alouds, providing verbal practice, providing guided practice with…

This article describes the physiological mechanisms involved in three-dimensional depth perception and presents a variety of distance and depth cues and strategies for detecting and estimating curbs and steps for individuals with impaired vision. (Author/DB)

This videotape demonstrates environments and several teaching strategies in the area of child-focused practices recommended by the Council for Exceptional Children's Division for Early Childhood. The strategies were selected based on a literature review and input from focus groups of parents and teachers on what promotes learning for young…