Visual prompts can help you support a child with communication difficulties.

NOW and NEXT board

The Now and Next board is helpful if you have a child that may have limited understanding, expressive language problems, or finds it difficult to follow a routine.

It can be useful if you are supporting a child during work-time or using one-to-one planned activities. 

To use the NOW and NEXT board:

• put an activity that is happening now in the NOW section
• put an activity that you are preparing next in the NEXT section
• take away the first activity when it is done, so the child can see what is next
• give a verbal direct to help explain what is happening next

You can use the same visuals as the visual timetable, and you can personalise the board with the child's name.

Activity choices board

This should be used for an individual child. It is a way of helping the child to use pointing or gesture as a form of communication, in order to choose an activity. Some children may use spoken words, signing or both.

• use Widget symbols or clear photos that do not give too much information at once
• use only three activity symbols at a time
• encourage the child to choose one activity by removing the picture from the board and giving it to you
• reinforce their choice by repeating it to them verbally or by signing