Why Visual Supports Work So Well for Neurodivergent Kids

If you’re parenting or working with a neurodivergent child, you’ve probably heard the phrase “visual supports.” But what are they, really? And do they actually work?

Short answer: Yes. And here’s why.

What Are Visual Supports?

Visual supports are tools that show - rather than tell - what’s happening, what’s expected, or what choices are available. Think:

  • Visual schedules

  • Choice boards

  • Emotion charts

  • Social stories

  • Step-by-step task guides

These are especially helpful for autistic children, ADHDers, or kids with sensory, language, or processing differences. Why? Because they externalise information - taking the pressure off working memory, auditory processing, and real-time language.

Why Visual Supports Are So Effective

Here’s what the research (and lived experience) tells us:

1. Visuals stay put.
Verbal instructions come and go. Visuals remain visible, concrete, and accessible — no matter how overwhelmed or distracted a child feels.

2. They reduce anxiety.
Knowing what’s coming, what the options are, or how something works before it happens is key to helping kids feel safe and in control.

3. They support independence.
Visual supports turn “I need to tell you again” into “You can check the chart.” That builds confidence and autonomy over time.

4. They work with - not against - the brain.
For many neurodivergent kids, language is slower to process than visuals. Pictures, symbols, and icons make communication quicker, clearer, and more effective.

What Visual Supports Can Help With

Here are just a few examples of where visuals can make a huge difference:

  • Transitions (e.g., leaving the house, going to bed, changing activities)

  • Routines (e.g., getting ready for school, brushing teeth, using the toilet)

  • Emotional regulation (e.g., identifying feelings, calming down, asking for help)

  • Social situations (e.g., how to join a group, what to say, what’s okay or not okay)

  • Decision-making (e.g., choosing activities, expressing preferences, setting boundaries)

Want to Try Visuals? Start Here.

If you’re new to visual supports, start small:

  • Use a “What to Do When I’m Upset” poster near a calm-down space

  • Introduce a simple schedule with two or three steps

  • Read a social story together before a tricky event, like a birthday party or medical appointment

Need help? That’s exactly what we create here at Big Feelings Co. 💛

Our Top Visual Tools for Home & School

Here are some of our best-loved resources:

🔍 Emotion Detective Activity
Helps kids spot and understand emotions using visual clues
→ Check it out here

📘 Social Stories Collection
Real-life scenarios written with neuroaffirming language + visuals
→ See the growing collection

🧠 Co-Regulation & Coping Strategy Cards
Simple, visual tools to help kids choose supports when they need them
→ Co-regulation Cards
→ Coping Strategies Cards

Final Thought

Visual supports aren’t just a tool - they’re a bridge.
They help you and your child understand each other more clearly, especially in the moments that matter most.

👉 Want to explore more tools? Browse the full collection here.

Back to blog

Leave a comment