American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

Issue: February 2009

Using Visual Supports for Students with Autism in Physical Education
Jeanine Fittipaldi-Wert & Claire M. Mowling

Abstract: Due to deficits in communication, students with autism experience anxiety and confusion, which cause withdrawal and disruptive behaviors. However, teachers can create a positive educational environment that will facilitate learning by having an understanding of autism and of the characteristics associated with children with autism. One important step is to learn to communicate effectively with students with autism. Individuals with autism have expressed that they process visual information more efficiently that auditory input. This article therefore focuses on visual teaching strategies—such as the Picture Exchange Communication System (PECS), activity schedules, task cards, visual warning devices, and boundaries—that support the learning styles of students with autism in an inclusive physical education class.

Article category: Adapted physical education