Ok, now don't get overwhelmed and stressed about the work involved. There are amazing resources on the internet. One such resource was created by an organization in South Australia called Adelaide Autism Adventure. It has a lot of information and you can spend days surfing it, but I've have done the work for you. Simply go to this link: http://www.adelaideautismadventures.org/printables.html and you will find schedules and other visuals you can print out and start using at home!
A visual we use in tandem with our schedules is a "First/Then" board (there is a pdf on this website). It helps kids to delay gratification until they have done a task. For the board to "work," you need to give your child the reward immediately after they have completed the task.
The above mentioned website as well as others (see further into the post) include a lot of picture symbols you will see around your child's class. The symbols are called Mayer-Johnson symbols and are used all around the world by educators. Not sure how many families invest in the product because the software needed (Boardmaker) is pricey. Luckily, I've hunted down and found sites with the symbols and schedules in pdf form so you don't need the software to print out the files. Caveat is you can't personalize them.
The symbols are used not just for children with special needs. They are great for non-readers because they are intuitive and easy to "read." They also pair the picture representation with the word. The symbols are great for early readers as well. In class, I use the symbols in sentence strips so they can read and say the targeted sentence at once--visual reinforcing verbal. With the target sentence being "read" over and over the students are learning site words without even knowing. Bonus!!!
Here are some other sites I've found for you: 1. http://www.prekinders.com/sequencing/ 2. http://www.do2learn.com/picturecards/howtouse/schedule.htm 3. http://regionivcat.wikispaces.com/Preschool+Visual+Supports 4. http://visuals.autism.net/visuals/main.php?g2_itemId=81 5. http://autismtank.blogspot.com/2013/10/preventing-problem-behavior-fact.html?m=1 6. http://visuals.autism.net/visuals/main.php?g2_itemId=524 | "Many parents and teachers are initially intimidated by the task of making schedules. Their reasons include fear of over-structuring their lives, concern that schedules are too much work to make, fear that they cannot draw well enough and concern about what happens if the schedule changes. Here is what we suggest. Just get started, see how easy it becomes, and the power of communicating it allows will make the task worthwhile." Taken from www.do2learn.com |
Simply seeing the plan or sequence of the day is enough for some children. Adults simply need to remind them to look to see what's next. Other children may need/want to tangibly take a "finished" activity picture off and put in a can, envelope, or other container to indicate the task is done. It gives them some control and accomplishment. Think about how good it feels to check something off your to-do list! Give picture schedules a try in your house and let us know how it turns out. If you need any further help please let us know that as well.