Setting Up a Visual Schedule

There are specific periods in which many of my clients need similar programming to help support their behavioral progress. This month, it seems many of the families I work with have needed or wanted to implement some type of visual schedule. Visual schedules can be a helpful tool for individuals who have difficulty remembering or understanding the steps involved in a routine, have difficulty with transitions and unpredictability, or generally need more structure to their routines. 

Although they seem straightforward, they can be complicated. The level of complication depends on how many steps are involved, if they have already mastered the skills involved in each step, and the rate at which they require rewards for engaging in appropriate behavior. In general, however, the following steps represent a good place to start:

1. Determine the specific time period for which your child need a schedule. It could be the morning routine, transitions between home and school, using the bathroom, or doing homework. 
2. Write out the steps the child needs to complete during that time period. Each step should have a clear start and end. For example, if it is a morning routine, it could be:
   1. Get out of bed
   2. Take a shower
   3. Get dressed
   4. Eat breakfast
   5. Pack backpack
   6. Get in car
3. Decide how you want your child to transition through the activities. Can they do it independently? Do they need verbal prompts from an adult (example: “time to take a shower”)? Can they self-monitor as they move through the steps? Do you want to use a timer?
4. Determine how often and which type of reward to provide for following the steps. Some children require multiple rewards throughout and some just need a reward after completing all tasks. Ask yourself the following questions to help define how often you need to provide reinforcement.

1. If you think your child could benefit from rewards after each step and at the end, you can implement a token economy. 
2. Create a visual schedule for your child to follow. Depending on your child’s reading level, the schedule can be pictures, words, or a combination of words and pictures. This should be in a place where the child can see it throughout.
3. Explain the new schedule to your child, the steps involved, and what they can earn for completing the tasks

Follow-up

1. Implement the new schedule for at least one week to determine if it is effective.
2. You may look at different things to determine if the schedule is effective based on your goals. Some parents are most interested in their child getting through the routine without problem behavior, some to help their child become more independent, and others to reduce the amount of time the routine takes their child to complete.

Troubleshooting

1. If your child never seems to earn the rewards or complete the schedule in a timely manner, it is likely you are not using rewards often enough or motivating enough.
2. If you child always seems to have difficulty with one or two tasks, they may not have mastered that skill. Take time to teach them how to complete that step before proceeding.
3. If your child has everything they want available at all times, they may not be motivated to work for anything. Consider setting up a system where they have access to items contingent on completing a task. For example, if they love watching television, allow them to watch television only after they finish the tasks. 
4. Sometimes it can be important to involve a professional to help set up and evaluate the system. If you find you are struggling to set up a schedule, you can reach out to me!