Many kids with autism thrive with predictability and structure to their daily routine. Visual schedules can be a useful tool to help children understand, prepare for, and navigate daily routines with decreased stress and increased cooperation. By providing a clear visual representation of what to expect, parents and clinicians can help children become more familiar and comfortable with their daily routines and transition smoothly from one activity to the next.
How to Create a Visual Schedule
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- Choose a format: Visual schedules can take many forms, depending on your child’s needs and preferences. Options you might consider include:
- Object/3D schedules: Actual objects are used to represent each activity (e.g., a toothbrush for brushing teeth).
- Picture schedules: Photographs or drawings are used to represent each activity (e.g., a picture of a toothbrush for brushing teeth).
- Written schedules: Written/typed words are used to represent each activity for children who can read (e.g., “brush teeth” for toothbrushing).
- Choose a format: Visual schedules can take many forms, depending on your child’s needs and preferences. Options you might consider include:
- Electronic schedules: Picture and written schedules can be created and used on an electronic device, such as a phone or tablet, that can be quickly updated and easily carried around.
- Identify the steps: Break down the routine into individual steps. For a morning routine, this might include: waking up, using the bathroom, getting dressed, eating breakfast, brushing teeth, and packing up a bag.
- Create your schedule: Arrange the visuals in sequential order, either vertically or horizontally. You can use a whiteboard, poster board, notes/schedule app, or even a simple piece of paper. You can even arrange the visuals in a way that will allow your child to make a choice about which event they want to complete next!
- Introduce the schedule: Show your child the schedule and explain how it works or help them complete it a few times. Practice going through the routine together, each time providing less and less support and guidance until they can complete the steps by themself.
Tips for Using a Visual Schedule
- Keep it simple: Start with only a few important activities and gradually add more as your child becomes more comfortable using the schedule. It might be helpful to only start with one activity at a time!
- Place it strategically: Put the schedule in a visible location where your child can easily see it.
- Make it interactive: Encourage your child to participate by choosing a visual to place next in the schedule and checking off or removing each visual after they complete the activity.
- Use consistent language: Use clear and concise instructions when referring to the schedule (e.g., “Let’s do your morning schedule”).
- Be flexible: Things happen! Be prepared to adjust the schedule as needed, and explain any changes to your child. If one day, the visuals for your picture schedule are missing, try taking pictures on a phone and putting together a slideshow of visuals for the activities. There are many ways to use a visual schedule!
- Pair it with reinforcement: Provide praise and encouragement as your child follows the schedule. Consider ending the schedule with something that your child prefers a lot (e.g., looking at a favorite book, listening to a favorite song). Building in very preferred activities at the end of the schedule can help your child stay motivated to get through the earlier activities that might not be as preferred.
Benefits of Visual Schedules
- Reduced stress or anxiety: Knowing what to expect might help to reduce any anxiety your child feels by helping them to visualize what is coming next in their day.
- Increased independence: Visual schedules can help children to complete routines with less prompting and support from others.
- Improved communication: Visual schedules can help children communicate their needs and preferences. They can use opportunities during their scheduled activities to ask for items or help, communicate what activity they want to complete next, and let you know when they have finished.
A GentleCare Clinician’s Perspective:
What are your favorite – or must use – materials for creating a visual schedule for your clients?
I love using Canva or Google Drive to create visual schedules for my clients. I personally find these two platforms really easy to use. Both Google Drive and Canva allow me to customize the type of photo that I want to use for my schedule, whether it’s a graphic or an image that is real-life. Choosing what type of image you want to use depends on your client and their repertoire of skills. Canva offers thousands of templates that can be used for easier creation of your schedule. I normally don’t use Word to create schedules because it can be difficult to move the photos around. After my schedule is created, I print it out and paste it onto construction paper and laminate it for better durability! – Vanessa L., BCBA
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