Using Timetables and Schedules

WHAT? They are a visual representation of the key parts of a day, part of a day or even broken down into individual tasks. They can be pictures, symbols or photographs.

WHY? They provide structure and routine. They can reduce anxiety and stress for young people who are unsure of what their day looks like. They allow young people to develop their visual memory skills through the use of pictures, help them to predict and also increase their organisational skills. They can help young people understand the concept of time, help with sequencing and also help them to feel safe. They can support the management of behaviour (increase motivation, reduce anxiety, help ‘see’ what their day looks like etc).

HOW? They can be whole class or individual. They need to be seen easily at all times (consider movement around a setting). They can be left to right or top to bottom. It is important that there is a process of ‘seeing’ the movement of time e.g removing the symbols as they are completed or using an arrow marker to indicate ‘now’. This needs to be an active process and one in which the young person is actively involved in.