Written by Kylie Winsor, CTRS, Therapeutic Recreation Coordinator at FVSRA

As we continue our annual theme of “Follow Your Path,” this month focuses on our Path to Growth. Growth looks different for every individual and is a constant, ongoing journey. It can manifest in various ways, such as going into a store for the first time, trying a new food, participating in a new program, ordering independently at a restaurant, developing a new daily living skill, or attending a community event. Growth is not a one-size-fits-all process but a personal and evolving experience. It involves not only success and resilience, but also setbacks and challenges. 

With growth comes change and trying new things, which can seem daunting or even impossible, especially for individuals with disabilities who may already face limited resources and an environment that doesn’t support their needs. Despite efforts for inclusion and universal design, families may sometimes feel that their loved ones with disabilities are not included or able to enjoy community events or experiences due to constraints related to the physical environment, planning, sensory considerations, and dietary or medical needs. 

Here is a list of supports and resources that may be useful in preparing for growth and change: 

Preparation Before the Outing/Experience: 

• Pack items of interest, helpful tools, and sensory items. 

• • Use a choice board to offer the different options of items or activities that they can choose from. Here is an example of a choice board.

• Visual Supports: 

• • Social Stories: These are short, simple narratives designed to help individuals understand and navigate social situations. They describe a specific situation, event, or activity, along with the expected behaviors and responses. Often written in the first person and including visual aids, social stories provide clarity and reduce anxiety about unfamiliar scenarios. They enhance communication skills and promote independence by offering a clear framework for appropriate social interactions. Here is an example. 

• • Expectation Visuals: Visual aids that outline the expected behaviors or steps in a given situation. They can include pictures, symbols, or written instructions and help clarify what is expected, reducing uncertainty and anxiety. They enhance understanding and communication, making it easier for individuals to follow routines and complete tasks independently. Here is an example.

• • Visual Schedules: Tools that use images, symbols, or written words to outline the sequence of activities or tasks in a specific timeframe, such as a day or a class period. Visual schedules provide a clear structure and routine, which can reduce anxiety and improve focus. They help individuals understand what to expect next, promoting independence and enhancing their ability to transition between activities smoothly. Here is an example. 

• • Visual Timers: These can help individuals manage time and understand the duration of activities. 

Resources for Creating Your Own Visual Supports: 

• Boardmaker (paid): Offers a vast library of customizable visual aids, including over 80,000 Picture Communication Symbols (PECS), which can be used to create educational materials, communication boards, and interactive activities. 

• Teachers Pay Teachers (paid): A marketplace where you can find visuals for specific routines or reward schedules, often created by special education teachers. Purchasing access to a visual allows you to download and edit it as needed. 

• Canva (free or paid): A tool for creating visual schedules, social stories, and other aids. Canva offers a large library of templates and design elements that you can easily customize to meet specific needs. It includes schedule templates to outline daily routines or specific tasks, and storytelling templates that allow you to combine images and text to illustrate social scenarios and expected behaviors. You can personalize these stories with relevant pictures and simple language to make them more relatable and effective. Canva offers a free account with more limited templates and elements, but it allows you to import photos from the web or your camera roll to your design. 

Canva (free) How-to: 

• Create a free Canva account with your Google account or email. 

• Choose a free template or blank template and add your included text and elements. 

• Find the images you would like to include on the web or in your camera roll and import them to your Canva images. 

• Move, crop, and size your photos, text, and additional elements. 

• Download your creation and save it as a PDF. 

• If you do not have access to a printer, most community libraries provide printing services at a low price per page. Visit your local library and log into where you saved your visual (email or Canva account). 

Finally, when supporting and preparing for an individual’s growth, remember: 

• Your loved one may not be able to experience events in the same way you do because of fundamental elements of these experiences that do not consider their needs in the planning stages.  

• Provide the supports you are able to and seek resources to fill in the gaps.  

• Feel empowered through your community and supporters of individuals with disabilities. 

Supporting growth is a journey that requires patience, understanding, and the right tools. Please contact us with any questions regarding resources and support to assist you. Embrace the process, celebrate the small victories, and remember that growth is an ever-evolving process.