Floor Maps

Children with autism have difficulty when they enter a new environment and when they experience language that is unfamiliar to them.  The therapist and the child can draw a floor map of a particular environment together.  The purpose of a floor map is to focus the child on a particular social event and to provide a visual arena to practice language with play figures before he or she enters the real situation.

A floor map could be a picture of a playground, a school library, or the child’s home where there is a birthday party planned for the following week.  It also could be a visual representation of an island (like Martha’s Vineyard) or other place where the child’s family visits in the summer. 

How To Create a Floor Map

1. Select a situation that may be visually confusing to a child with autism or that may be a new environment for the child.
   • Playground
   • Swimming pool
   • School library
2. Draw a simple outline of the floor plan of the situation (i.e.  play ground structures).  Let the child draw with you, if he can draw.
3. Label the parts of the play structure (or situation)
1. Keep words simple
2. Keep visual free of detail
3. Keep it organized
4. Use play figures to role-play a sequence of events that may occur when the child enters that situation.
5. Talk to the child about  how he feels
6. Talk about the environment
7. Talk about each structure or object
8. Send the Floor Map home so he can practice.
9. Bring the Floor Map to the situation and place it on the floor.
10. Talk through a sequence of events.
11. Use simple language to describe the activity.
12. Take a photo of the map and keep it as a reminder.
13. Go with him to the first time he enters that situation.
14. Facilitate language with the peer or peers and help him go through the sequence.
15. Keep the Floor Map for a reference or for review.