Visual Supports for ADHD

Visual Supports for Organisation: Helping Children with ADHD Through Occupational Therapy

For children with ADHD, staying organised and on track can be challenging. They often struggle with executive functioning skills such as planning, time management, and following through with tasks. Visual supports offer a powerful tool to help these children better manage their day-to-day activities and responsibilities. Occupational Therapists (OTs) use visual supports to provide structure and promote independence, helping children with ADHD navigate their world more effectively.

In this blog, we’ll explore how visual supports can aid children with ADHD in organising their daily lives and how Occupational Therapists incorporate these tools into therapy.

What Are Visual Supports?

Visual supports are tools that use pictures, symbols, written words, or diagrams to communicate information. They are especially helpful for children with ADHD because they provide clear, concrete guidance that can be referenced throughout the day. Visual supports can range from simple images or charts to more complex schedules or social stories, depending on the child’s needs.

Some common examples of visual supports include:

• Visual schedules: Charts that outline daily routines, tasks, or activities.
• Checklists: Lists of steps needed to complete a task or achieve a goal.
• Task boards: Boards with images or written tasks that can be moved or checked off when completed.
• Timers and countdown clocks: Visual representations of time passing to help children stay on track with tasks.
• Social stories: Short, illustrated stories that explain social situations and appropriate behaviours.
• Calendars: Visual reminders of upcoming events, deadlines, or responsibilities.

These tools help make abstract concepts like time, organisation, and task completion more tangible and easier to manage.

Why Visual Supports Work for Children with ADHD

Children with ADHD often have difficulty with executive functioning skills, which are the mental processes that help with planning, organisation, time management, and self-regulation. Visual supports break down tasks into manageable pieces and offer a clear, visual representation of what needs to be done. Here’s why visual supports are so effective for children with ADHD:

1. Concrete Information: Visuals provide concrete, easily understood information. Instead of relying on verbal instructions, which can be forgotten or misunderstood, visual supports serve as a constant reminder that can be referenced as needed.
2. Structure and Routine: Visual supports add structure to a child’s day by organising tasks and routines in a clear, predictable way. This structure helps reduce anxiety and uncertainty, making it easier for children with ADHD to follow through with tasks.
3. Independence: By providing clear guidance, visual supports empower children to manage their tasks independently. They can check the visual aid whenever they need to, without relying on constant reminders from parents or teachers.
4. Reducing Overwhelm: Breaking down tasks into smaller steps helps prevent children from feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Visual supports make large tasks seem more manageable, helping children stay focused and motivated.
5. Consistency Across Environments: Visual supports can be used in various settings, from home to school to therapy sessions. This consistency helps reinforce routines and expectations, making it easier for children to generalise their skills across different environments.

How Occupational Therapists Use Them

Occupational Therapists work with children with ADHD to improve their ability to perform everyday tasks and manage their environment. Visual supports are one of the key tools OTs use to help children develop organisational skills and independence. Here are some of the ways OTs use visual supports in therapy:

1. Creating Visual Schedules

One of the most common ways OTs use visual supports is by creating visual schedules for children. A visual schedule breaks down the child’s day into clear, manageable chunks. For example, the schedule might show pictures or icons representing waking up, getting dressed, eating breakfast, going to school, and doing homework.

Visual schedules help children understand what to expect and when, reducing uncertainty and anxiety. They also allow children to check their schedule throughout the day, helping them stay on track with tasks and activities.

2. Using Task Boards and Checklists

Occupational Therapists often create task boards or checklists that outline the steps needed to complete a specific task. For example, a task board for getting ready for school might include pictures representing brushing teeth, packing a backpack, and putting on shoes. As the child completes each task, they can move the picture or check off the item on the list.

These tools help children with ADHD break down larger tasks into smaller, more manageable steps, making it easier to stay focused and organised.

3. Incorporating Visual Timers

Time management is a common challenge for children with ADHD. Visual timers provide a clear representation of how much time is left for a task, helping children pace themselves and stay on schedule. Occupational Therapists might use countdown clocks or colour-coded timers during therapy sessions to help children manage their time effectively.

For example, a visual timer can be used during homework time to show how much time is left for each task. This helps the child stay on task without constantly asking, “How much longer before I finish handwriting?”

4. Developing Social Stories

Social stories are short, illustrated stories that explain social situations and the behaviours expected in those situations. For children with ADHD, social stories can help them understand how to navigate challenging social scenarios, such as sharing with friends or following classroom rules.

Occupational Therapists work with children to create personalised social stories that address specific challenges they face. These stories help the child visualise and practise appropriate responses, making it easier to apply these skills in real-life situations.

5. Designing Personalised Visual Supports

Each child with ADHD has unique needs, so Occupational Therapists often create personalised visual supports tailored to the child’s specific challenges. This might include a custom visual schedule, a personalised checklist, or even a specialised system for organising belongings.

For example, an OT might work with a child to create a visual system for organising their bedroom or school supplies. This system could include labelled bins, colour-coded folders, or picture-based reminders to help the child keep their space organised.

How Parents and Teachers Can Support Organisation at Home and School

The use of visual supports shouldn’t be limited to therapy sessions. Parents and teachers can also incorporate visual supports at home and in the classroom to help children with ADHD stay organised and on task.

• At Home: Parents can create visual schedules for daily routines, such as morning and bedtime routines. They can also use checklists for chores, homework, tidying their bedroom, and other responsibilities. Visual timers can be helpful for managing screen time or homework sessions.
• At School: Teachers can use visual schedules in the classroom to outline the day’s activities. Task boards and checklists can help students with ADHD with better attention to stay on task during lessons. Visual supports can also be used to reinforce classroom rules and expectations.

By using visual supports consistently across different environments, children with ADHD can develop stronger organisational skills and become more independent in managing their tasks and responsibilities. It can also support their self regulation if they are more organised.

Conclusion

Visual supports are a powerful tool for helping children with ADHD stay organised and on track. Occupational Therapists use visual schedules, task boards, timers, and other visual aids to help children break down tasks, manage time, and gain independence. By incorporating these tools into therapy, at home, and in the classroom, children with ADHD can develop the skills they need to succeed in their daily lives.

If you’re interested in learning more about how Occupational Therapy and visual supports can help your child with ADHD, contact OneOnOne Children’s Therapy in Bondi Junction and Mascot. You can email us or book a phone consultation to discuss your child’s unique needs. We’re here to help your child thrive! Out OT’s are AHPRA registered.