How to Make an Inexpensive Visual Schedule for Your Special Needs Student

Written by: Lisalyn • Edited by: Elizabeth Wistrom
Updated Jun 29, 2011 • Related Guides: Special Needs

Are you looking for ideas to ease your student’s study strains? Visual schedules help many children with special needs keep on track during the school day and at home. Read on to find directions to make an inexpensive, yet effective visual schedule for your student.

Using Visual Aids with Special Needs Students

Children with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, Dyslexia, speech/language delays, and other learning based disabilities often struggle in the classroom. These students may have problems that interfere with classroom learning like: multi-step directions auditory deficiencies transition and changes in routine sensory integration issues These distractions require special handling for the student to be successful in class and while studying at home. Visual aids can help alleviate many of the distractions associated with these types of learning problems. Written lists and schedules, picture schedules, and *PECS communication cards are examples of visual aids commonly used for special needs students.

How Can a Visual Schedule Help?

A visual schedule can make a huge difference in the quality of a student’s learning experience. The schedule provides a guide, in picture form, of the student’s daily routine. Using the schedule, your child will be able to see what he should be doing, what he will be doing next, and how many activities he has left before the day is over.

Making a Visual Schedule-Supply List

You can easily make a sturdy, portable, and inexpensive visual schedule. Here are the items you will need:

Sturdy pocket folder-Poly folders are the best option, but pressed paper will work.
Presentation page protector-These have adhesive edges, but a regular clear sheet protector and heavy duty clear tape can also be used.
Velcro pieces-You can cut Velcro strips cut into ½-inch squares or purchase Velcro dots.
Eight ½ x 11 inch plain paper-You will need one sheet for each routine you want to create.
PECS style pictures of each daily activity-These pictures can be found free online or can be created with clip art. (If your student can read and comprehend well, you can omit the PECS and write or type each activity.)
Small photo or symbol to represent the student-This can be a wallet-sized photo, a foam or wooden cutout of a car, truck, train, etc. (Gear this toward the child’s interests.)

Putting It All Together

Using one sheet of plain paper, create the routine/schedule by attaching the PECS images in a vertical line down the middle of the paper. You can use tape, glue, or you can print Internet images right on the paper. You can create a home routine, a school routine, and a holiday routine. Be sure to line up the PECS images on each schedule paper with the same spacing.

Attach the presentation protector, or sheet protector to the folder. Place one of the schedule papers in the sheet protector. Using this one as a guide, secure a piece of Velcro beside each picture and an extra piece on the top right side of the protector. Attach one piece of the other side of the Velcro to the back of the student’s symbol or photo. Use the folder pockets to store your extra schedule papers so you can easily switch when the need arises.

Your student’s photo or symbol will stay in the front right corner when the schedule is not in use and will move down the schedule, stopping on the Velcro beside each activity. Your student now has a simple visual schedule to help him through his daily routine. ~~~

Go to http://www.PECS.com to read more about the Picture Exchange Communication System.