Choice Boards

I am a massive fan of choice boards. They are something I use everyday in my autism classroom and frequently make use of at home with my own daughter, also.

They are an incredibly simple but incredibly versatile strategy to increase and aid communication and to give children a voice and an opinion, even if the child is pre verbal or struggles to express themself using words.

Choice board can take lots of different formats, but the ones I use most frequently are printed and laminated cards with images, or a card with space for velcro and mini images to stick on. These are quite handy to make yourself, or I can make them for you to your specifications, to suit your child or your student.

What to put on a choice board?

• Choice boards are effective in many situations such as:

• Food or Drinks

• Reinforcers

• Activities or Actions

• Places

• People

• Toys

• Materials/Supplies

HOW TO USE:

• Use pictures, symbols, text, or real objects, depending on the child's language and cognitive ability, to create a board.

• The way that a child is able to show you their choice will depend on the motor and communication skills of the child. Some children will need larger choice board icons so that they can point or look at the option they want. Other children will be able to grab a Velcro symbol card off of a more tightly arranged choice board and hand it to you.

• Show the child the choice board and, if needed, read the choices aloud, pointing to each one as you say the word.

• Ask the child to make a choice.

• Wait for the child to show you which item they want either by pointing, removing the choice and handing it to you, or verbally choosing.

• If the child is selecting an item for immediate use, such as a snack or activity, give them the choice immediately. If the child is picking a reinforcer or reward to work toward, place the choice on a token board or first-then visual.

Tips:

• Only give options that are available and appropriate at the time. A child may become frustrated and less likely to use the choice board if their choices are not respected. Put a Velcro strip on the back side of the choice board to store extra or unavailable choices.

• Some children can only handle two or three options at a time, while others can choose from several options. If a choice board is not helping your child communicate, it may have too many or too few choices.

If you are interested in ordering a choice board, please send me an email at michelle@starstarasd.com or send me a private message. I would be delighted to help!

#starstarasd #autism #asd #autismteacher #specialneedsparenting #aspergerssyndrome #visuallearners #visualaids #pecs #choiceboard