06/12/2025
GLPs and STRENGTHS in VISUAL PROCESSING and VISUAL MEMORY ⭐️
I didn’t buy this train just for my little GLPs, but I definitely had them in mind! Colours, numbers, letters, shapes…these subjects are often enjoyed by GLPs because they are very visual, can be sequenced and contain patterns.
This little lady enjoyed unlocking and locking the boxes and sequencing the animals from inside (this led to a lovely mitigated version of Old MacDonald 🎶). She didn’t need the colour prompt on the keys - she immediately identified that the key and the locks were a certain shape (and the shape was tiny and very hard to see!!) 🤩
Strengths in visual memory also supports language:
✨ GLPs remember language as scenes, not just sounds.
Many GLPs remember:
• the visual context where a phrase occurred
• facial expressions
• environments
• actions happening at the time
Because they store language as whole experiences, the visual snapshot of the moment helps anchor the gestalt.
✨ Visual memory helps organise and retrieve gestalts.
Since GLPs store large chunks of language, visual memory helps them:
• recall where or how they first heard a phrase
• link scripts to meaningful contexts
• choose relevant gestalts for communication
The visual “tag” attached to a phrase makes retrieval easier.
✨ Their visual memory allows them to replay scenes internally and reuse the language associated with them.
✨ Strengths in visual learning helps with pattern recognition and building new language - connections are made quickly through visuals!
Visual memory strengthens the process of:
• noticing patterns in scripts
• spotting similarities between contexts
• understanding what parts of a phrase can change
✨ This makes visual supports especially effective for:
Reducing cognitive load ✔️
Anchoring new language ✔️
Understanding routines and expectations ✔️
They are predictable, consistent and stable ✔️
Processing language without relying on auditory input ✔️ (the auditory system can get overwhelmed easily!)
Using mental picture to understand meaning ✔️
