Visual Schedules for Children with ASD
- Posted by spectrum
- On November 22, 2023
- 0
Structured routine is something we all need in order to do all the things we need to do in a day. Have you ever felt anxious of fearful when you were unsure what you needed to do or where you needed to be? Similarly, children with Autism Spectrum Disorder can often become anxious and frustrated in keeping up with the day to day tasks they need to complete and experience challenges with making sense of time and following routine. Visual schedules are a tool that can offer great assistance in allowing children to understand and follow a structured routine or task and provide predictability for planned events.
What is a visual schedule?
A visual schedule is the visual representation of planned events or a sequence of steps and activities through the use of images, symbols and words. They can be used to provide sequential information of the steps of a desired activity or routine or the events of a full day, week or month. A visual schedule will allow a child to understand and acknowledge what is going to happen and in what order they will occur. Visual schedules are also commonly used within the classroom setting to assist with daily school routines and transitioning.
Benefits of a visual schedule
Creating a structured routine with a visual schedule can be a super effective tool to encourage children’s ability to follow routine and understand a sequence of steps by providing them structure and predictability. It creates a fun and stimulating way for children to understand what is going on and prepare themselves for tasks and activities appropriately. It therefore also allows children to know when to start and finish a task thus further assisting with task transitioning. For many children with ASD it is difficult to retain and recall information and remember verbal instructions and directions. They also may experience challenges in managing changes in routine. This can cause anxiety, stress and fear in many children and effect their ability to complete daily living activities. The use of an easy-to-follow schedule through the use of pictorial, symbolic and written supports eliminates the barrier of verbal communication and memory limitations and supports children to comprehend a structured routine or task and remember the tasks they need to complete or the places they need to be. Consequently, this can further support emotional regulation due to reduced demands and increased predictability. They have also demonstrated to permit greater involvement and participation in daily living activities and assist in increasing a child’s independence and help build their self-esteem.
Visual schedules have also proven to have benefits within the classroom environment. Evidence has suggested that visual schedules within the classroom environment has had a positive impact on distractibility, task completion and transition and tasks initiation and perseverance. Within the classroom visual schedules have also provided opportunity for greater participation and has supported in reducing anxiety and frustration in the classroom.
Tips in creating a visual schedule.
It is recommended to create visual schedules for routines and tasks that children have difficulty remembering or completing appropriately or in a timely manner. They are also recommended to plan out days/events for children who dislike and respond negatively to changes in routine.
Below are some tips in creating a visual schedule
- Involve your child in creating them! Get them to draw or decorate the schedule or even take photos of your child doing the activity you’re making a schedule for. This will give them a sense of autonomy and may increase their motivation. Getting your child to help plan out the schedule can also help with planning and organisational skills
- Make it possible to remove and place images on the schedule. This way you can get your child to take away the image when the step or task is completed
- Refer to the schedule often to help the child learn to use them
- Use clear and bright images and symbols that your child will be able to understand. Reduced the number of words on the schedule if your child does not respond well to written instructions.