Dealing with problem behaviors in the home setting can be
challenging, especially with children who have a diagnosis of Autism Spectrum
Disorder. For these children, maintaining focus in order to complete morning tasks
independently can be quite difficult, especially when everyone else in the
family is rushing around getting ready for the day.
This is a situation when a
visual schedule can be helpful. A visual schedule is an ordered sequence of
images that shows a person the steps to follow to complete a task or set of
tasks. According to research, using visual schedules with children who have a
diagnosis of autism can be very effective and make routines and transitions go
more smoothly.
Directions:
- Write out the morning routine on a piece of construction
paper. (See the example above.)
- Laminate the construction paper
- Locate various images to represent each task and print them
out.
- Cut out the shape of a small star for each task.
- Laminate all of the images and stars.
- Attach the Velcro pieces to the appropriate spots on the visual
schedule, images, & stars.
If your child needs prompts to know which task to complete
first, second, etc., hand him the image that represents the first task. The
child should take the image to the Visual Schedule and attach it to the right
of the appropriate task on the schedule, and then he should complete the task. Provide
assistance as needed at first, then gradually reduce the amount of assistance
that you provide. Once he completes the task, he should place a star next to
the task in the “Done” or “Complete” column. Have him continue the same process
for all of the morning tasks on the schedule. Be sure to praise him when all
the stars have been placed, and he has completed the routine successfully.
Hopefully, the use of the visual schedule will help your
child be calmer and more organized during challenging activities and routines each
day!
This project was completed by a Master of Occupational Therapy student at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.
This project was completed by a Master of Occupational Therapy student at The University of Tennessee Health Science Center and posted with permission.
