Visual Schedules: Helps You Move Forward

Visual Schedules are powerful tools for supporting children on the autism spectrum. It helps foster independence, task completion and reduced dependence on prompts from adults.

This important idea is reiterated in this video by Triveni Goswami Vernal, a special educator, an art therapist and a parent to a child on the spectrum.

Speaking from her professional and personal experiences, she shares how visual schedules can be used in a number of ways to teach many different skills. 

How does it work?

Some of the important concerns in children on the spectrum are dealing with uncertainty and difficulty in following multiple instructions. Visual schedules addresses these concerns by:

Breaking down lengthy steps into small, sequential steps

• Multiple steps and multiple instructions may often overwhelm children and make it difficult to execute the task. 
• By breaking down the activity into concise, sequential steps, visual schedules help the child follow the simple instructions and complete it without being overwhelmed or frustrated.
• ADLs such as brushing, dressing up or toilet training that can often seem intimidating to the child, due to the many steps involved, can be made easy by using visual aids.

Improves predictability

• A common concern in children with autism is anxiety due to uncertainty. However, if the child knows what to expect from the task, it makes it easier for them to perform. 
• Visualization of the next steps in an activity prepares the child for it, therefore reducing any fear or stress, helping the child thrive in a stress free environment.
• Using visual schedules to plan the complete day to day routine of the child can be immensely beneficial, as the child knows what to expect during the day.

Multiple uses

• Visual schedules allow the child to perform a variety of tasks, as highlighted in the video by Triveni. 
• It can be teaching desk top activities – using first, next options, important activities of daily living (ADLs) or household chores that can help make the transition to the child’s independence.

A child can be dependant on a visual schedule: A myth

• The video starts by addressing this misconception that by using visual schedules often can make the child dependent on it. 
• This cannot be further away from the truth that visual schedules actually promote independence in children.
• Visual schedules act as guides that help children to follow simple instructions and prepare them for what comes next. 
• This enhances confidence in the child by reducing anxiety and stress associated with carrying out certain tasks.

Grow with the child

• Having worked closely with children on the autism spectrum, Triveni aptly points out that it is crucial to make changes in the visual schedules as the child develops and progresses.
• Each child is different and learns at their own pace. Parents should understand the child’s needs and create visual schedules best suited for them.
• For instance, we can begin by using picture schedules, but as the child grows we can move on to written schedules as well.

Most children with autism have great visual abilities. Therefore, visual schedules when used effectively promote self-reliance, increased self accomplishment and independence in children as they learn to navigate through different activities with decreased help from others.

At Nayi Disha, we believe in empowering families with accurate, empathetic, and actionable information. Triveni’s video is a valuable resource for any parent starting their journey in understanding and supporting their child with autism.

🎥 You can watch this video where she shares more importance of visual schedules.

If you have questions about Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, or other intellectual disabilities, or have concerns about developmental delays in a child, the Nayi Disha team is here to help. For any questions or queries, please contact our FREE Helpline at 844-844-8996. You can call or what’s app us. Our counselors speak different languages including English, Hindi, Malayalam, Gujarati, Marathi, Telugu, and Bengali.