Objective: Visual aids, pictures and color-coding on instructions or planners provide added reinforcement to help students focus and remember better, especially for students with weaker executive functions.

Teacher Takeaways: a) For younger students, provide pictures along with written instructions for multi-step tasks. A visual instruction card that a student can keep at the desk and check off after each step is ideal. b) Provide individual cards for a student's desk, including commonly used words, math formulas, or process steps. Don't require the student to scan the wall or the board to find this information. c) Suggest students use the same reminders at home as in the classroom so using them becomes habit. d) Have students use color-coded agendas, folders and notebooks by subject so they can easily scan for what they need.

OER Resource: Pictures & Visuals (Digital Promise Learner Variability Project)