Visual Supports for Kids with Autism
Click the free resource link below to download a little PDF with 8 everyday activities (including mealtime, of course!) that you can use to simplify your everyday routines.
Why use Visual Supports for Kids with Autism?
Visual supports, such as schedules, have been shown to increase so many wonderful, important skills for kids on the spectrum. These include:
staying on task
completing routines
transitioning smoothly
playing independently
learning steps in a new task (examples: washing hands, toileting, fixing a snack)
The best part? Visual schedules can do all of this while also cutting down on tantrums and challenging behaviors. Plus, they are equally amazing for kids who are vocal and non-vocal. Sign me up, Nelly!
Tips to make your Visual Schedule a Success
Ok, let’s talk game plan. If you’re going to introduce a visual schedule for the first time, here are some things that are helpful for getting started:
1) Try to pick a routine or task that your child is familiar with, or heck, something they just enjoy doing! Who wouldn’t love for their schedule to tell them to do what they love?! This will help your child get on board with the new schedule lickety-split.
2) Help your child follow the steps on the schedule. Avoid letting them dictate the schedule by cherry-picking what they like from the strip. Your child might be familiar with a choice board and could think that’s what you are presenting. If that’s the case, it’s extra important that you teach them that this is something different. How do you do that? By following the schedule!
3) Refer to the schedule frequently while working through the steps. You can say things like, “Look, we are following your schedule! We are getting dressed.”
4) After completing each step, you can remove it from the schedule and show your child what’s next. This helps them to follow along visually with where they are and what’s remaining to do.
5) For each step, provide your child with the level of support that they need. That might mean simply showing and telling them what step is next or it could mean actually helping them follow through with the activity.
6) Be consistent with using the schedule. Practice makes perfect. And, it supports independence!
7) Praise your child frequently, and then put a cherry on top! Praise and praise and praise. Make them feel as though they were the best schedule follower there ever was (even if you are carrying 9/10ths of the weight).
8) As your child gets better at following the schedule and you move on to new or harder routines, consider alternating fun activity steps with more challenging ones. This will keep the schedule from getting too hard too fast. (Translation: This will keep the schedule from becoming something that your child never wants to see again!) Over time, you can fade out the fun activities or just save one fun thing to happen at the end.
Here’s what you need to remember, in a nutshell:
I’m Hooked! Where can I get my Hands on more Visual Schedule Materials?
There are lots of Etsy shops with great printables. Here and here are sellers I have used and liked.
Try making your own using actual pictures of your child completing tasks. Your kiddo will LOVE this! You can also use google image searches or clipart to make more pictures to add to your schedule.
There are also some great scheduling apps for your phone or tablet. I happen to like this one.
Other Resources around the Web
This is a dynamite PDF on all things visual schedules for kids with autism.
Visual schedules can help kids in so many lovely ways from teaching them new routines to just doing the ones they already know with less fuss. You can get started by downloading my free printable schedule and following the steps to success shared here.
