About Linda Hodgdon

linda-headshotSometimes they call Linda Hodgdon the “Queen of Visuals” because of her efforts over more than 30 years to champion the use of visual strategies to support communication for individuals with Autism, Asperger’s and related communication needs.

Linda Hodgdon, M.Ed., CCC-SLP is a Speech-Language Pathologist who is internationally known as a pioneer in developing the use of visual strategies to support communication for students with the communication, behavior or social skill challenges that are common in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

As an author, speaker and consultant, she has become well known world wide for her very practical information and strategies that guide communication partners to develop effective communication relationships with their children with autism.

With a focus on communication, Linda’s books and training programs are packed with “best-practices” and proven strategies for helping individuals from young children with autism through adults with Asperger’s participate more effectively in their life opportunities.

Linda’s long list of professional accomplishments includes:

  • Writing an award winning, “ground breaking” book, Visual Strategies for Improving Communication, that has substantially influenced communication training for individuals with Autism, Asperger’s and related communication challenges world wide.
  • Designing and developing a school based model for communication service delivery  that was awarded  “Program of the Year” by Michigan Speech-Hearing Association

But it’s more than awards

The human impact of Linda’s visual strategies is profound for many families and their children.  She is passionate about sharing simple strategies that can create profound differences in how students can

Testimonies from thousands of educators and parents around the world report successes with visual strategies that transform lives.  Here are examples. 

I want to thank you Linda for understanding our kids.  I felt so helpless and finally hopeless with my son’s needs.  I felt like I was the only one on the planet at that time who knew anything about my son.  I found your books.  I bought your books.  I watched your video conference on visual strategies.  I was so happy to finally find validation. – Cheryl Peterson
I love your Visual Strategies Workshop DVD Program.  We have a library to lend teachers, paraprofessionals and parents educational resources.  Your series is the most popular item on our list.  The way you blend the “real educational” stuff with your experiences make it so much easier to see the way it is with real people.  I guess I mean you humanize the literature!

We recently included your videos in our paraprofessional training.  They loved you!

Thank you for doing such a great job in educating us. You help to validate what I already know and remind me of other things I have forgotten and need to reintroduce into my therapy.
– Linda Watt, M.A., CCC-SLP

The information you presented made a fundamental change in my understanding of the reasons to use visuals and how to implement  these strategies.  I always thought they were more complicated than they are. — Linda Mohrmann
As a parent, I was able to use the practical tips Linda recommended for teaching my son.  One good application was the use of a “Routine.”   He loves it and got excited referring to it each time.  He began to ask questions about ‘surprise’ items on the board.  Indeed, these visual strategies helped me to know him better.  Thank you, Linda for the breakthrough with my son. —
Vivian, Singapore
I went to a workshop you presented in Dallas and it opened up a whole new world for all students, not just children with autism. I talk of you often and encourage others to check out your books and seminars. — Darla
A few years ago I attended one of your visual strategies conferences.  Your presentation was amazing.

A few days after attending the conference I was at my wits end with trying to get my son with Asperger’s Syndrome to get his pajamas on to go to bed.  I was frustrated because I was having to “tell” him (yes, I know) over and over again to get them on.  This had been going on for a long, long time (years) and it was getting pretty old.

All of a sudden your conference came to mind and I realized the problem was with me.  I was being auditory only and that was not how he works.  Instead of feeling frustrated, I went and got a 3×5 card and wrote, “Get your pajamas on NOW!” and calmly handed it to him.  I was totally surprised when his eyes bugged out, he got up, and said, “Okay”.  He promptly got his pajamas on.

After I recovered from total shock at how well that worked, I wrote on the card, “Thank you.  I love you” and got a big smile from him.  I wish everyone could go to one of your conferences.  I don’t always remember to use visuals, but what a difference it makes when I do! — Michelle

Linda Hodgdon is the undisputed expert on using visual strategies to support communication for individuals with ASD and related communication challenges.