Executive Function Category: Planning and Organization

Purpose: Use of a visual schedule helps a student have a better understanding of the expectations within the day or within a specific task. This allows the student to know what is expected and what is coming up in the day.

Learning Goal: Your student will understand and use a visual schedule to help complete a task or assignment.

Materials: Visual Schedule Template (see below)

Options for Use:

1. The sample templates may be printed out for use.

2. You can create your own schedule using real-life pictures, computer images, or ask a teacher to help provide you with images you need.

Lesson Steps:

1. Download a Visual Schedule template or chart from the choices below, or choose to create your own using words/pictures.

2. Explain to your student that you will be using this template to help them move successfully throughout their day, a part of the day, or a specific routine or task that needs completed. This can be used for school work, chores, or really any task that needs completed.

3. Watch the video below entitled The Why & How of Visual Schedules to learn about why we use visual schedules and how to implement this tool.

4. Determine with your student if he/she would like to check off a box, move the picture off of the schedule, flip the picture over, or another method to show that part of the day or task is complete and he/she is ready to move on to the next item on the schedule.

5. At the start of the day or activity, review the schedule with your student and make sure they are aware of the daily activities and answer any questions at that time.