A new visual schedule is another thing to learn. Starting with something familiar and keeping the schedule simple can make the introduction easier.
Choose a familiar routine
Start with an activity your child already experiences regularly rather than beginning with a complicated or unfamiliar situation.
Morning, bedtime, getting dressed, or getting ready to leave home can be useful starting points.
Keep the first schedule short
A long schedule can contain more information than is useful when someone is first learning how the system works.
Begin with a few meaningful steps. More activities can be added later if they are helpful.
Look at the schedule together
Before beginning, briefly show the schedule and the sequence of activities.
During the routine, return to it when an activity is completed and before moving to the next one.
Use simple language
The visual already provides information, so spoken instructions can remain short and clear.
For example, you might point to the next picture and say, “Next, brush teeth.”
Give it time
Learning to use a visual schedule may take repetition. The goal is not to make the schedule perfect on the first day.
Observe what is useful, remove what is not, and adjust the schedule as the routine becomes more familiar.
Visual supports are flexible. What is clear and useful for one person may need to be changed for another. Adjust the number of steps, wording, and visuals based on individual needs.