VIDBE-Q 2025 Volume 70 Issue 2
space is. Teachers also should be mindful of how much is on their walls and in the
room.
Schedules are a part of every person's life, whether it is a calendar, planner,
or phone schedule. A schedule tells us where to be and when to be there, reduces
anxiety, and teaches flexibility (Hume, 2011). Typically, when a teacher teaches,
they may state the directions or the tasks quickly, which can be hard for a child
with hearing loss to comprehend. In contrast, a visual schedule builds on a
student's receptive language and reduces the need for language. A visual schedule
may use photographs, full objects, partial objects, icons, and words to
communicate a list of activities. The type and length of the visual schedule is
different for every student and depends on their skills. Some schedules can include
one class while other schedules can include the entire day. These schedules should
be explicitly taught to the students to ensure that they understand their day and
expectations. Once the visual schedule is taught, a student should learn how to
manipulate the schedule, environment, and increase their independence. As the
student gains independence, the dependence on adult prompting will decrease
(Hume, 2011).
Visual organization, tactile cues, and structure help students understand
expectations and independent task completion. Visuals and tactile cues can help
