A visual schedule is an organizational tool that uses photos, pictures and/or words to help people know what will come next. These schedules can be used for explaining all the different activities occurring within one day, or it may be used to explain the major event of each day of the week or month, it could also be used to only show days that vary from a normal schedule
Why Are Schedules Important
This type of schedule can be helpful for any child to get organized! It is especially helpful for people with Autism because they are wired in a way that their brains crave patterns and predictability. Knowing exactly what comes next reduces anxiety. People with Autism can get overwhelmed by the anxiety of “not knowing” that may cause behavioral issues or meltdowns. Simply being able to see what comes next reduces that worry and increases the person’s compliance since they may see the schedule as a rigid rule that they have to follow.
Visual Calendars
Visual calendars are great for children as young as 3 who have the concept of their daily activities and are more focused on knowing when major changes like doctors appointments, school vacations or play dates will occur.
Getting Started
You can find pre-made First-Then Boards and other visual schedules on Amazon and Etsy. I also offer personalized visuals or can teach you how to make your own through my Parent Coaching Services. If you prefer to DIY, try these steps:
Step 1:
Buy a 22 x 17 inch desk calendar like this one
Step 2:
Purchase various stickers to meet your child’s needs. Here are the ones that I found helpful
Seasons, doctor/dentist visits, cleaning, shopping, sports, school events & more
Holidays, birthdays, travel, vacation & more
Step 3:
Place the stickers onto your calendar as needed. You can stick them directly on or laminate each sticker and put an adhesive magnet on the back so they can be reused.
I chose to laminate and put a magnet onto the weather stickers only since the weather can be so unpredictable and my child would have a meltdown if it said the wrong weather that day!
Step 4:
Take a piece of construction paper and cut it into a square. Then cut out a smaller square within it to create a frame.
Next attach an adhesive magnet strip to each side to create your boarder for the current day
You’re Done! Enjoy customizing your calendar to fit your needs!