Using Visual Supports at Home: Now & Next Boards, Choice Boards and PECS Cards

Visual supports can be life-changing for many children, particularly those who are autistic, have speech delays, or simply benefit from clearer structure and communication.

Tools like Now & Next boards, choice boards and PECS cards help children understand what is happening, what is expected of them, and how they can communicate their needs. For many families, they bring more calm, independence and confidence into everyday routines.

But if you’re just starting out, it’s also completely normal for children to ignore them, throw them, or refuse to engage at first. That doesn’t mean they won’t work — it usually just means they need time and the right introduction.

Let’s walk through what these visual supports are, how they help, and some gentle ways to introduce them at home.

What Are Visual Supports?

Visual supports are pictures, symbols or objects that represent activities, choices or routines.

They give children a visual way to understand and communicate, which can often feel easier than relying on spoken language alone.

Common types include:

Now & Next Boards

A Now & Next board shows a child what is happening right now and what will happen next.

Example:

Now: Get dressed
Next: Play outside

This helps children understand that a less-preferred activity is temporary, and that something enjoyable is coming next.

It reduces anxiety and helps transitions feel more predictable.

Choice Boards

Choice boards allow children to select between options visually rather than verbally.

For example:

• Apple

• Banana

• Biscuit

Instead of asking a child verbally and hoping they understand, they can point, pick up, or hand you the picture.

This supports independence and reduces frustration.

PECS Cards (Picture Exchange Communication System)

PECS cards are picture cards that children physically hand to another person to request something.

For example:

A child hands you a “juice” card, and you give them juice.

This teaches a powerful communication lesson:

“When I give this picture, I get what I asked for.”

Over time, this can develop into more complex communication and sentence building.

Why Visual Supports Help Children

Visual supports can help children:

• Understand routines

• Reduce anxiety about transitions

• Communicate wants and needs

• Build independence

• Reduce meltdowns caused by frustration

• Feel more in control of their environment

Many children process visual information more easily than spoken language, especially when they are overwhelmed or tired.

“My Child Just Throws the Cards!” — Why Resistance Is Normal

When visual supports are first introduced, many children:

• Ignore them

• Push them away

• Throw them

• Show no interest

This is very common.

From the child’s perspective, these cards are new objects with no meaning yet. They haven’t learned the connection between the picture and the real-life outcome.

Visual supports work best when that connection is built slowly and clearly.

Tips to Help Your Child Engage with Visual Supports

Start With Their Favourite Things

The best way to introduce visual supports is through highly motivating items.

Think about things your child already loves:

• Favourite snack

• Favourite toy

• Bubbles

• iPad time

• A swing at the park

Get these cards first

When a child learns:

“I give this card → I get my favourite thing”

they quickly understand the purpose of the system.

Pair the Card With the Real Object

One helpful strategy is showing the picture alongside the real item.

For example:

1. Hold up the banana card

2. Show the real banana

3. Say “Banana!”

4. Hand the banana to the child

This helps children build the understanding that:

The picture represents the real thing.

Over time, the card itself becomes meaningful.

Use Real-Life Moments

The best teaching happens in real situations.

For example:

Snack time
Bath time
Getting dressed
Going outside

Instead of presenting cards randomly, use them during the moment they represent.

Example:

Child wants juice → give them the juice card to hand to you.

This shows them the purpose of the exchange.

Keep It Simple at First

Too many cards can feel overwhelming.

Start with just 2–3 options.

For example:

• Juice

• Apple

• Biscuit

Once your child understands the system, you can slowly add more.

Celebrate Every Attempt

If your child:

• touches the card

• picks it up

• hands it to you

• looks at it

Celebrate it.

Even small interactions mean they are starting to understand the system.

Building Confidence Over Time

Once children realise that visual supports help them get their needs met, they often begin using them more independently.

From there, families can expand to things like:

• Full daily visual timetables

• Emotion cards

• Routine charts

• School schedules

• Transition supports

The goal is always the same: helping children feel understood and supported.

A Gentle Reminder for Parents

If visual supports don’t work instantly, that’s okay.

Like any form of communication, they take time, repetition and patience.

Start small, follow your child’s interests, and celebrate progress — even if it feels tiny.

Those small steps often lead to big breakthroughs.