Communicating "No"
Communicating "No"
The universal NO sign can be used with both choice boards and picture schedules. On choice
boards, the
can forewarn your child that a favorite food or toy is not available. On a picture
schedule
can inform your child that an anticipated activity has been canceled and will
be replaced by something else. Visual supports provide your child with this
disappointing news in an understandable and reliable way.
They also provide your child with some way to communicate about the desired object or activity. Usually, caregivers adopt an out-of-sight, out-of-mind approach and hide the desired object, package, or picture symbol. This approach is not good and can actually encourage children to hoard food and to obsess about particular items. Clearly communicating "this is not a choice" rather than hiding the object, package, or picture symbol eases the child's disappointment and frustration and eliminates her need to ask for something over and over again.
As always, it is important to actively involve your child in
the use of these supports. For example, when your child finishes a box of her
favorite cereal, have the child throw the box in the trash and place the over the label
on her choice board. Or, if swimming is canceled due to the weather, have the
child place the over the swim picture. Then direct her to the activity choice board
to choose which activity she wants to do instead. Actively involving the child
provides her with a sense of control over these changes or prohibitions and
minimizes the chance of a power struggle.
Some people have even used to visually represent certain important rules like the 'no biting' one
below.
How to start: Click here for information and tips on making visual supports.