Critical Communication -

Teaching students new skills such as requesting "break", "help" and "wait" can be tricky for some kids with Special Education Needs.

I wanted to support each of my non verbal students with self -management strategies and tools that were easy to implement, so i created these

visual support cards.

To aid communication, avoid frustration and control behavior in my classroom I knew i had to incorporate these critical skills.

I added handy visuals on the bottom for my student to tell me.....

how they were feeling, by pointing or ticking the box when they needed a "Break",
directions on what to do while they were "waiting"
what they need "help" with

Producing these before behavior starts makes a huge difference in redirecting students as what to do. Support staff love the power of the cards!

I made them in three different sizes, in colour and black & white.

I use these cards to provide structure in my behaviour support plans and they run in conjunction with ABA Management'.

Making Each Day Smoother: Using a Daily Visual Organiser in the Classroom

As teachers, we know how important structure, clarity, and motivation are in helping students thrive — especially for those who benefit from routine and visual support.

A Daily Visual Organiser (DVO) is a simple, effective classroom tool that helps students understand their day at a glance, stay on track, and feel motivated to do their best.

In this post, we’ll walk through how to set one up and use it, with key sections like a daily schedule, motivators, class rules, rewards, and task materials. It’s especially helpful for students with additional learning needs!

1. Daily Schedule: “What’s happening today?”

A clear, visual schedule helps reduce anxiety and improve focus.

Tips:

Use icons or photos next to words (e.g., 📚 Reading, 🎨 Art, 🍎 Snack)
Display it in order, and refer to it throughout the day
Allow students to tick off or remove each item as it’s completed

Example:

Morning Work
Circle Time
Literacy Centers
Snack Break
Outdoor Play
Math Group
Story Time
Home Time

Keep it consistent, but update for special events.

2. Motivator Choices: “What can I work towards?”

Motivators help students stay engaged. A visual list of choices lets them feel in control.

Examples of motivators:

5 minutes on the iPad
Time with a fidget toy
Drawing time
Choosing the next story
Sit by a friend
Help the teacher

Tip: Let students choose their motivator at the start of the day or task block. Show it on their organiser to remind them of their goal.

3. Rules to Follow: “How do we work together?”

Keep a simple set of classroom rules displayed with visuals.

Common classroom rules:

Listen with your ears
Keep hands and feet to yourself
Use kind words
Try your best
Ask for help

Make sure these are positively worded, and teach them explicitly with role play and repetition.

Why it Works

The Daily Visual Organiser helps:

Reduce anxiety and becoming overwhelm
Increase independence
Encourage positive behavior
Support executive functioning and focus
Make transitions smoother

Whether you’re teaching one-on-one, in a small group, or a full classroom, this tool can be a game-changer, especially for neurodiverse learners.

My Tips

Use velcro, magnets, or whiteboards for flexibility
Let students help set it up to build ownership
Keep it visible and refer to it often
Start small — even just 2 or 3 sections can make a big difference

With a Daily Visual Organiser, every student can feel more confident and calm about their day — and you’ll spend less time repeating instructions and more time connecting with your class.

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Communication Visuals for non -verbal students with Autism