Visual Schedules and How To Use Them

 

Have you heard of a visual schedule? It is a graphic representation that can help support children in learning how to follow a routine, transition between activities, develop new skills, and support independence in completing daily activities.

A visual schedule can be represented in a number of ways: photographs, line drawing, symbols, or text. Tasks are represented in the order in which they are to be completed.

Use for Visual Schedules:

  • Can teach a new skill by breaking it down into simpler steps
  • Improve functional living skills (i.e., dressing, toothbrushing, etc.)
  • Increase on-task behavior
  • Supports children in structure and predictability by knowing what comes next
  • Can help children understand abstract concepts like time and organization

Tips for Establishing a Successful Schedule:

  • Identify the skill or routine you would like to target.
  • Break the skill into shorter, simpler steps.
  • Personalize the schedule. The more your child can relate to the visual cues, the more successful your child will be with following the schedule.
    • You can use photographs of your child completing specific tasks to support their understanding.
  • Teach your child to follow the schedule by using verbal or physical guidance (cues), especially when the schedule is new.

We have created a morning and night routine for your use at home!

Morning Routine

Nighttime Routine

This is just one of many ways to create a schedule to support your child in completing tasks. You can print and laminate these PDFs and display them in a central location in your home. Laminating the image allows it to become a dry erase board and your child can physically check off tasks as they are completed!

 

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