Visual Preference Lesson Plan Visual Preference Explorer
Tier 3 Counseling Session • 10th Grade
30 Minutes
Why This Matters
Building rapport and understanding a student's preferences is crucial for effective counseling, especially with selective mutism. This activity provides a non-threatening way to gain insight into their world and foster a connection, empowering the student to communicate in a way that feels safe.
Objective
To establish a comfortable and low-pressure environment for a 10th-grade student to communicate preferences and build connection through visual choices.
Audience
10th Grade Student with Autism and Selective Mutism.
Approach
Visual and written communication to reduce verbal pressure and social anxiety.
Activity Preparation
Review the Visual Preference Explorer Slide Deck to familiarize yourself with the content.
Print the My Preference Choices Worksheet for the student.
Have a pen or pencil available for the student.
Ensure a quiet and comfortable space for the session.
Required Materials
Slide Deck Worksheet Answer Key / Reflection Guide
Step-by-Step Delivery
1
Introduction
5 Minutes
Greet the student calmly and warmly. Acknowledge their presence without demanding an immediate verbal response.
"Today, we're going to do something a little different. It's a way for us to learn more about each other without a lot of talking."
Introduce the slide deck and explain they can point, circle, or give a thumbs up/down to share their preferences.
2
Visual Exploration
15 Minutes
Go through the slide deck slide by slide.
For each slide, present visual options. Ask "Which one do you prefer?"
Encourage the use of the worksheet to circle choices. Accept verbal responses naturally if offered, but don't overemphasize them.
Observe body language. If the student seems uncomfortable, move on without pressure.
Model Engagement: Offer your own preference occasionally. "I really like the mountains!"
3
Reflection & Connection
10 Minutes
Review the completed worksheet together. Affirm their sharing.
"Thank you for sharing your preferences. It helps me understand you better. You chose the beach—I wonder what you like about it?"
Ask if they want to keep the worksheet or leave it with you. Conclude positively and acknowledge their participation.
Visual Preference Explorer Slide Deck What Do You Like?
Let's explore some of your favorite things!
Point
Circle
React
Counselor Note Welcome the student. Emphasize there are no right or wrong answers. Pointing, circling on the worksheet, or thumbs up are all great ways to share!
Mountains or Beach?
Which view helps you feel calm or excited?
🏔️
Mountains
OR
🏖️
Beach
Present the options. Ask: "Mountains or Beach?" Encourage any form of non-verbal response.
Books or Movies?
Do you prefer to get lost in a story on a page or on a screen?
📚
Books
OR
🎬
Movies
Reiterate that it's okay to just point or nod. Focus on their visual preference.
Quiet Time or Groups?
When do you feel most comfortable and happy?
🎧
Quiet Time
OR
🙌
Group Activities
This offers insight into social preferences. Allow time for the student to process and choose.
Sweet or Savory?
What kind of snack makes your taste buds happy?
🧁
Sweet
OR
🥨
Savory
A lighter, more casual question to maintain a positive, low-pressure atmosphere.
Art or Music?
How do you like to express yourself or relax?
🎨
Drawing/Art
OR
🎵
Music
Explore creative outlets. This can be a great way to find shared interests for future sessions.
Animals or Plants?
Which do you find more interesting or comforting?
🐾
Animals
OR
🌿
Plants
Another light preference question. Observe if they have a specific interest in nature or living things.
Thanks for Sharing!
Your choices help me learn more about you. We can explore these more another time.
Counselor Note Conclude by thanking them. Remind them this helps you understand them better. Transition to reviewing the worksheet together.
Counselor Script for Visual Preference Counselor Facilitation Script
TIER 3 SUPPORT
Activity: Visual Preference Explorer • Target: 10th Grade Autism / Selective Mutism
1
Introduction (5 Minutes)
Greet the student warmly. Maintain a calm, open posture. Avoid direct eye contact if it seems to cause discomfort. Allow the student to settle.
"Hi [Student's Name]. Thanks for coming in today. Take a seat wherever you feel comfortable."
"Today, we're going to do something a little different. It's a way for us to learn more about each other without a lot of talking. We're going to explore some things you might like or not like, just by looking at pictures and making some choices."
"There are no right or wrong answers, and you don't have to say anything if you don't want to. You can point to what you like, or if you prefer, you can circle your choices on this worksheet as we go along. Does that sound okay?"
Show the My Preference Choices Worksheet and a pen/pencil.
2
Visual Exploration (15 Minutes)
Transition to the slide deck. For each slide, read the title and question, then pause for response.
Slide 1: Mountains or Beach?
"Which view helps you feel calm or excited? Mountains or the Beach? You can point to the one you prefer, or circle it on your sheet."
Pause. Observe non-verbal cues. If no response: "Which one calls to you more today?"
Slide 2: Books or Movies?
"Do you prefer to get lost in a story on a page or on a screen? Books or Movies?"
Affirm any choice with a nod or a soft "Okay."
Slide 3: Quiet Time or Group Activities?
"When do you feel most comfortable and happy? Quiet Time, perhaps on your own, or Group Activities with others?"
Slide 4: Sweet or Savory Snacks?
"What kind of snack makes your taste buds happy? Sweet treats, or something more savory?"
Keep the tone light and inviting.
Slide 5: Drawing/Art or Music?
"How do you like to express yourself or relax? Is it through drawing or other art, or perhaps listening to or making music?"
Slide 6: Animals or Plants?
"Which do you find more interesting or comforting? Animals or plants?"
3
Reflection & Connection (10 Minutes)
Return to the worksheet together.
"Thank you for sharing your preferences with me today, [Student's Name]. It really helps me understand you better."
(Gently point to one or two of their choices on the worksheet.)
"I see you chose [Choice]. I wonder what you like about that?"
(Pause, but do not demand an answer. This is an open reflection, not a direct question.)
My Preference Choices Worksheet My Preference Choices
Circle the things you like best as we look at the pictures.
Name:
Date:
1
Mountains or Beach?
Mountains
Beach
2
Books or Movies?
Books
Movies
3
Quiet Time or Group Activities?
Quiet Time
Groups
4
Sweet or Savory Snacks?
Sweet
Savory
5
Drawing/Art or Music?
Art
Music
6
Animals or Plants?
Animals
Plants
Visual Preference Reflection Guide Reflection Guide
Visual Preference Explorer • Post-Session Analysis
Counselor Use Only
Purpose of Reflection
This guide is for reflecting on the student's choices. There are no 'right' or 'wrong' answers. Use these prompts to gain deeper insight into the student's sensory preferences, social comfort, and potential shared interests to build rapport in future sessions.
1. Mountains or Beach?
Environmental Preference
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
Does this choice suggest a preference for adventure, calm, or specific sensory experiences (e.g., quiet solitude vs. the sound of waves)?
2. Books or Movies?
Information Processing
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
Does this indicate a preference for visual stimulation, auditory input, independent exploration, or shared narratives?
3. Quiet Time or Group Activities?
Social Energy
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
Key indicator for social comfort. How might this inform social skill building or managing school environments?
4. Sweet or Savory Snacks?
Sensory & Rapport
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
A non-threatening preference. Are there sensory connections? Useful for low-pressure conversation starters.
5. Drawing/Art or Music?
Creative Outlet
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
What are their expressive outlets? Could this introduce expressive therapies or build common ground?
6. Animals or Plants?
Connection to Nature
Student's Choice
Possible Insights
Does this highlight an interest in living things or specific hobbies? (e.g., pet ownership vs. gardening).
Summary & Next Steps
Patterns Identified (e.g., preference for calm, visual input, independence):
Potential Conversation Starters for Future Sessions:
Adjustments for Future Sessions:
