Meet Sarah, a funny and creative autistic 6-year-old girl. Sarah faces challenges with transitioning between activities and often becomes overwhelmed by sudden changes in her day, leading to meltdowns. Verbal instructions sometimes confuse her, causing frustration when she cannot understand what others expect from her. Sarah’s parents and occupational therapist have recently introduced visual schedules to support her daily routines and enhance her overall well-being.
Visual schedules can be a game-changer for some children, offering a visual representation of tasks and activities to promote structure, predictability, communication, and independence.
In this extended guide, we will delve deeper into the effective use of visual schedules and explore their significance in supporting children’s routines.
How to Use Visual Schedules
Connection between the visual and the activity/task
The first step in creating an effective visual schedule is to use easily understandable images or symbols that represent each task or activity. For Sarah, using visuals with clear and relatable images helps her better comprehend her routine.
Teach the new tasks
If a child is unfamiliar with a particular task, take the time to teach them how to do it. For instance, for Sarah, her parents and OT demonstrated how to pack away toys in an organised manner, making it easier for her to follow the task on the visual schedule.
Arrange the visuals in order
Visuals should be organised like the pages of a book, read from left to right and top to bottom. This sequential layout allows children to anticipate and prepare for what comes next in their daily routine.
Give them choices
To increase motivation, provide options for tasks in the schedule. Allowing children to choose one or two tasks from the list empowers them and gives them a sense of control over their day. For Sarah, this means she can decide whether to engage in an art activity or go to the park after she finished school.
Start with a smaller number of tasks
Depending on the child’s ability, begin with a few tasks or steps. As they master different aspects of their routines, gradually add new tasks to the schedule. Always include something they can do independently to boost their confidence.
Keep visuals accessible
Ensure that the visual schedule is easily seen and accessed. It can be displayed on the bedroom wall, the refrigerator, or made portable so the child can carry it throughout their routine. Consistency is essential in reinforcing the routine.
When to Use Visual Schedules
Morning and bedtime routines
Visual schedules are particularly helpful in guiding children through morning tasks such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, and preparing school bags. Similarly, at bedtime, a visual schedule can establish calming rituals and ensure a smooth transition to sleep. This predictability helps children like Sarah feel more at ease during these critical times of the day.
Classroom settings
In the classroom, visual schedules aid children in following routines, understanding activity expectations, and transitioning smoothly between tasks. They help create a structured environment and therefore reduces anxiety and uncertainty.
Transitions and new environments
Visual schedules can be especially beneficial during changes or transitions, such as moving to a new school or starting a different therapy program. They provide a sense of familiarity and predictability, easing anxiety during such situations.
Where to Use Visual Schedules
Home environment
Visual schedules can be displayed prominently on a wall, refrigerator, or whiteboard at home, ensuring children have constant access to them. Sarah’s parents found it effective to have the visual schedule in the living room, where she spends most of her time.
School or therapy setting
Collaborate with educators and therapists to implement visual schedules consistently across different contexts. This coordination ensures that the child experiences continuity in their routines, both at home and outside.
Community settings
Utilise portable visual aids such as cards or laminated sheets during community outings or vacations. This helps maintain routines and minimise potential disruptions, ensuring a more enjoyable experience for the child and their caregivers.
Why Use Visual Schedules
Enhance predictability
Visual schedules provide a clear outline of tasks and events, reducing uncertainty and promoting a sense of control. For children like Sarah, knowing what to expect helps alleviate anxiety.
Promote independence
Visual schedules can help empower children to navigate their daily routines with more independence. Sarah has become more independent in completing her tasks, gaining a sense of accomplishment.
Improve attention and engagement
With visual schedules, children can better understand and anticipate expectations, which can help increase their engagement and task focus. Sarah’s attention on her routines have started to improve, supporting her to stay on track with her daily activities (most of the time).
Support communication
Visual schedules can help facilitate communication and understanding, especially for children who may have receptive or expressive language difficulties.
Reduce distress
If a child if becoming overwhelmed and anxious around their routines, introducing visual schedules may help reduce this distress. Sarah’s meltdowns around routines have decreased since the introduction of the visual schedule.
Back to Sarah
The introduction of a visual schedule has had a significant impact on Sarah’s daily life. Her parents and teachers have noticed that Sarah seems less anxious and more at ease with her routines. This newfound predictability has also contributed to a sense of calm among her caregivers. Sarah has made remarkable progress, becoming more independent and gaining a greater sense of control and empowerment in navigating her daily activities.
While Sarah still experiences meltdowns sometimes, her parents and OT understand that she is only six years old! And that these moments are part of her developmental journey. They are proud of the progress she has made and the positive changes the visual schedule has brought into her life.
In conclusion, visual schedules can be a powerful tool in supporting children like Sarah. They promote structure, predictability, and independence, leading to enhanced well-being. By incorporating visual schedules into various environments and daily activities, children can experience a more manageable and enjoyable day-to-day life.
Featured resources
Interested in exploring further resources and visual aids for morning and nighttime routines? Here are some resources that may be of interest:
- Morning routine visual schedule checklist, social narrative and reward chart
- Sleep social narrative story, night time visuals, reward chart & tip sheet
- Sleep & Morning Routine Bundle – visual checklists, social narratives & more
Questions
If you have any questions or need further assistance in implementing visual schedules, please do not hesitate to get in touch here or at sophia.occupationaltherapy@gmail.com.
