Visually Supporting Food Choices

We just got in a new CD-ROM from the "Picture This!" people, called Visual Foods. It contains over 3500 photos of food and cooking-related procedures, more than 300 pre-made layouts, and formatting software. This photo collection can be used with any age group. For young children it can be used to teach sequencing, receptive vocabulary words, and equipment labels. For older individuals it can be used to teach sequencing, meal preparation, and nutrition. It can also be used to assist nonverbal individuals who need a picture menu. It is designed to help provide support to visual learners (including early readers and nonverbal persons) in gaining new life skills and independence.

We think this is a particularly good item to pair with our customer favorite, Visual Recipes. This book contains 35 recipes grouped in the following categories: breakfast; lunch; side dishes; snacks, desserts; and drinks. The recipes consist of picture-based directions, and each step is framed for visual clarity. Simple text directions also accompany each step, and the importance of safety is highlighted. The book can also be used to teach functional math and beginning reading skills. It was designed by a parent of a child with ASD in order to teach her son fundamental skills in the kitchen, so it can serve as an excellent guide for creating further recipes of your own with the Visual Foods CD-ROM above, or with your own pictures.