Visual Schedules and Autism
How stressed out are you by daily routines? What about your kids? I mean, it’s something that we do, as a household, every.single.day. Why does it have to be so stressful?
Most of us do not use visual schedules at home though many kids use them at school. These free printable visual schedules for home and daily routines might help make things easier.
Kids with autism may have more difficulty coping with unstructured time than other kids. They may benefit from the increased structure in their lives.
Also, printable schedules can help a child with anxiety who is often fretting over “what is going to happen next.” A visual schedule helps them plan and prepare even if the next activity is non-preferred. Most of all, these visual schedules are free! I hope this makes your mornings easier.
What is a Visual Schedule?
Visual schedules use a series of pictures to communicate a series of activities or the steps of a specific activity. They are often used to help children understand and manage daily events in their lives. They can be created using pictures, photographs, or written words, depending upon the ability of the child. (that is from wikipedia)
I am going to try a few of these. My son has limited communication skills. We’ve never done this at home but I know he uses printable schedules at school. Sesame Street just launched some new Daily Routine Cards. I think I may try those first.
Are Picture Schedules just for Autistic Children?
No! Many children can benefit from using a visual schedule. Any child who is struggling to learn language, reading, and writing should consider using picture schedules instead.
Benefits of Using Visual Schedules
The advantages of using these free printable visual schedules for home and daily routines for children with autism are:
- help utilizes the individual’s visual strengths and therefore provides a receptive communication system to increase understanding
- It helps the individual to learn new things and broaden their interests
- It provides tools that allow the individual to use skills in a variety of settings
- predictability can help the individual remain calm and reduces inappropriate behaviors
- child can develop independence and resulting self-esteem
Visual Schedules in the Home
Despite these benefits, setting up a picture schedule can seem like a daunting, time-consuming task for many parents. Keep in mind that the schedule doesn’t have to be perfect.
Maybe you want to have your child browse these with you and help choose them. I also have included links to purchase schedules if you don’t want to make your own.
And here is another. More below!
Reasons to Use Visual Schedules
- Help kids learn sight words.
- Better for kids who learn visually rather than auditory.
- Allow for independence-child can see what is coming next, rather than asking.
- Help some kids plan for transitions.
- They are evidence-based.
If you are still trying to get your school or your team use visual schedules, consider printing this out and sharing it with them.
Additionally, the time you invest in creating schedules now can save you time later correcting behaviors. Furthermore, it is also likely to save your son or daughter time by increasing their skills and independence.
But, in order to make it easier for you, I have found lots of free printable visual schedules. I numbered them so that if you share this post with your child’s team members, you’ll know which printable visual schedule you are talking about.
Daily Visual Schedules for Kids
Please note that if the resource is posted with strikethrough font, it means that the link went dead and I could not find a replacement. Sorry, but that’s what happens when a post is old, but popular! The other sites stop blogging or whatever…and then their content isn’t available.
- First,_next,_then_boards by Seomra Ranga
- Morning Routine printable by Laura’s Crafty Life
- Daily Routine Printables 2 by Get Snazzy
- Unknown Source (click to make bigger and print!)
- Printable Routine Cards by Childhood 101
- Morning routine printable schedule by From ABCs to ACTs
- Printable Daily Routine-getting dressed by Living Well with Autism
- Daily Bathroom Routine-Toileting
- Home and Daily Routine-night time
- Printable Morning Routine-including medications
- Printable Morning Routine-no meds
- 【With 86 Visual Schedule Cards】80 cards are printed with various patterns related to chore chart, outing activities, school, daily eating etc, those cards covers all aspects of life. Other six topic cards can sort out daily tasks in the morning and evening, and visually show the progress of various tasks and order. It will make easier to teach children routine and responsibility
- 【Stand on the Tabletop & Hang on the Wall】This routine chart have 4 grommets on the top for easily hanging it vertically or sideways on the wall as a behavior chart for kids at home, or it can directly used as a tabletop teaching board
- 【With Detachable Bag to Hold Cards】The back of schedule blending board has a transparent detachable pocket to store all your flash cards, you don't need to worry about how to store the cards. Kids can also put the completed tasks cards into the bag to understand with what he’s done
- 【Communication Board for Autism】This daily toddler schedule chart is a perfect speech therapy materials for children with autism or special need, allowing them to express their feelings and what they want with visual cards, as well as to behave properly and communicate effectively with those around them, it is a perfect autism learning materials and communication tools
- 【Durable & safe】The schedule board are made of blending board, sturdy and not easy to deform, can be used for many years. The PVC flash cards is durable and waterproof, not easy to tear.
- 【105 Visual Schedule Cards】There are 87 cards printed with various patterns related to chore charts, outing activities, studying, daily eating, etc. These cards cover various aspects of life. Other 13 topic cards can sort out daily tasks in the morning and evening, or be used as a daily/weekly planner for home and school. Additionally, there are 5 blank cards for customizing your own cards
- 【Magnetic -- Can Stick to Fridge & Whiteboard】This daily schedule board has 2 magnetic strips right on the back, so you can easily attach it to any magnetic and metal surface. It also comes with 2 over-the-door hooks that can be hung on the door or in other places
- 【Suitable For Children with Autism】This is a great communication board for nonverbal children with ASD, autism, ADHD, Asperger, speech and language delay, and special educational needs. It is a perfect autism learning materials and communication tool. In fact, These visual routine chart are fantastic for all kids
- 【Large Storage Pocket to Hold Cards】The Front of visual schedule calendar chart has a large yellow pockets pocket to store all your flashcards. You no longer have to worry about misplacing or losing your flashcards
- 【Durable & Safe】The hanging pocket chart is made of sturdy and durable nylon fabric. The Flash cards are crafted from PVC material, making them resistant to tearing, waterproof, and long-lasting. This behavior chart will work great for kids at home or in the school classroom
- RELIABLE QUALITY: The visual Schedule for Kids are made of coated paper, which is strong, waterproof, not easy to tear and deformed, The cards are well cut and can be pasted and removed multiple times by using the included small dot stickers and felt strips
- 2 IN 1 FELT BOARD (Difference With Others): That's means it has two ways to use. One is it can hang on the wall or other places as a kids visual schedule chart to use, another is it can be stand on the table as a felt teaching board to use.
- EASY TO ATTRACT CHILDREN'S ATTENTION: 70 pieces visual schedule cards are printed with various patterns relating to daily school, home activities and behaviors, which can reflect many actions in our life and enrich your schedules, the bright colors and adorable designs can arouse children's interest. Those cards covers all aspects of life. Kids can put the completed tasks into the bag, they often rely on vision to gather information to understand their daily tasks
- EASY TO USE AND STORE ALL CARDS: The Visual Behavior Schedule chart with a suitable sized PVC bag to store your all cards. And The autism daily chore routine chart for kids have 4 grommets on the top and bottom for easy hang it sideways or vertically.or can stand on the table to use.
- PERFECT LEARNING TOOL: The Kids Visual Schedule Calendar Chart is also printed with words, and thus you can teach your kids to learn words and know objects, to better understand their daily behaviors, In addition, they are ideal communicative tools for autism kids. these routine cards for toddlers are useful teaching tools for teachers to use in classrooms, They can also be applied to homes, therefore, parents can help children learn how to formulate their daily plans
- ※【Perfect Learning Behavioral Planner】The visual schedule pocket chart is a perfect learning tool for teachers or parents,it can teach your kids to learn words and know objects, to better understand their daily behaviors. Attached visual routine cards for preschooler are serviceable for teachers to use in classrooms or parents can help children learn how to make their daily routine plans
- ※【Durable Safety Material】This visual wall planner chart boards is made of three layers of material, strong and not easy to deform, can be used for many times.the behavior cards are printed with non-toxic ink, smelless material that make the safer than others similar products.it have a durable thick waterproof coating, which are durable, waterproof and will not easy to tear or crease.
- ※【Stand on the Tabletop & Hang on the Wall 】The daily routine chart has 4 grommets at the top and bottom.it is easy to hanging it vertically or sideways on the wall and blackboard with a nylon rope as a kids visual schedule chart. It also can be folded at both ends and has adhesive strips at the back, which can be closed to used as a tabletop teaching felt board.
- ※【You Will Get】1 piece of visual wall planner chart boards. 92 pieces kids visual cards ( printed with various patterns relating to daily school-life and housework with phrases for students to learn).100 pcs self-adhesive small dot stickers (pasted and removed the cards).1 piece of nylon rope( strong and easy to hang ).1 Piece of PVC storage bag (store your all cards and dot stickers).
- ※【Communication Tool for Autism】This kids routine schedule chart can be a good helper learning material for children with autism, as well as a tool for learning and communication with special needs. It allows them to express their feelings and what they want by using visual cards, and conduct correct behaviors and effective communication with people around them.
- 【Visual Schedule for Toddlers】Our visual cards with colorful patterns are easier to attract children's attention, cover basic life skills, daily diet, relaxing activities, and simple routine tasks. Use the additional boards to arrange the order of the tasks and keep track of activities. The morning and bedtime routine charts are easy for kids toddlers to learn.
- 【Use in Hand & Attach to Fridge & Hang on the Wall】Various ways of use allow you to use cards on hand, attach cards on the additional strips and board, or attach cards to the refrigerator, is very flexible and convenient! Great for teachers to teach in the class and parents to keep kids involved in the daily or weekly schedule! Useful Visual schedule for home or school.
- 【Communication Tools】Effective communication tools for all kids, especially kids with autism or special needs, to help them express their needs with visual cards and easy to communicate with others. Perfect autism learning materials! Help your kids plan their day and be more independent, reduce their anxiety, and help them focus.
- 【Durable & Safe】Visual schedule cards are durable and waterproof, boards are thick and sturdy cardboard(Non-magnetic Back Side), tear-resistant, and well-made for long-time use. Rounded edges are safe for kids from scratching.
- 【What You Get】Our visual schedule includes 35 Magnetic Cards, 2 Boards with holes, 2 Strips, 1 Storage Bag to hold cards, and 2 Hanging Ropes. Complete combination, more convenient to use! The card is 2.2 x 2.6 inches, the board is 12.7 x 3.9 inches, and the strip is 12.7 x 1.8 inches. Convenient to carry in hand or to travel.
Visual Schedules for Preschoolers
Please don’t let the word “preschool” cloud your opinion of this. If my child needs a “preschool” chart when he’s 25, so be it. I don’t care much for age labels.
I hope that these free printable visual schedules for home and daily routines are helpful to you and your kids.
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