Visual Schedules Can Be a Great Help

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A visual schedule uses images, symbols or written words to help people complete tasks. They’re great for people who have a hard time completing tasks. Visual schedules can also help your child establish routines.

To make a visual schedule, first consider your child’s age. For children 5 and younger, combining pictures with words is important. Many parents use a whiteboard or a large piece of paper to write the schedule for the week. 

You can structure it by day or by week. If your child needs guidance in the morning to get ready for school, a schedule might look like this:

Morning Routine 

7 a.m. – Wake up 

7:15 a.m. – Brush teeth 

7:25 a.m. – Get dressed

7:35 a.m. – Eat breakfast

7:50 a.m. – Drive to school or school bus

When you provide a visual schedule for your child, be as specific as possible. If there are changes to the upcoming routine, talk to your child about them so they can prepare. You may have to do this more than once.

It’s easy to forget that new social situations can stress out children with disabilities. Preparing a child for a friend’s birthday party is different than preparing them to go to a restaurant or church. If you use pictures to explain new experiences, they’ll have a better chance of understanding what to expect.

Think of all the things that your child might enjoy doing at a restaurant or party. But also tell them about things that could happen that they might not enjoy. It’s also important to let them know how long they will be there. Many children don’t understand time well.  

If you are organized, creating a visual schedule may not be difficult for you. But when you need organization and structure in your own life, it may be more daunting. 

Take small steps toward setting up routines if you want to be successful. 

Talk to other parents of children with disabilities. See if they have ideas on how structure can make your family’s life easier. 

The Assistive Technology and Adaptive Equipment page on this website also offers ideas and different apps that can help you establish routines for your child.