Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Visual Schedules for Use with Autism

PWSMom — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 15:44:58 +0000

What is it?

A visual schedule is a set of pictures that communicates a series of activities or the steps of a specific activity ^{(1, 2)}. Visual schedules are meant to help children understand and manage the daily events in their lives ⁽³⁾. Visual schedules may be created using photographs, pictures, written words, or physical objects. Ideally, they communicate clear expectations for the child and decrease the need for constant adult involvement in the activity ⁽⁴⁾. Most visual schedules are introduced with adult guidance that gradually decreases with time ⁽³⁾. They can be used in speech therapy, at school, and at home ^{(1, 4, 5)}.

What's it like?

Schedules may be placed into notebooks or on a schedule board, or also presented with the aid of or on computers. The figure below represents an example visual schedule for the last portion of a child’s school day.

When designing a visual schedule, consider the following questions ⁽²⁾:

Will the child understand or recognize the pictures or words?
Is the activity represented by the visual schedule obvious to the child?
Can the schedule be made clearer by the use of words, more images, or objects?
Does the child know and have available the tools required to successfully complete the activity?

What is the theory behind it?

Children with autism frequently have trouble paying attention to, adapting to, and understanding auditory input. They also tend to have strengths in rote memory and the ability to understand visual information ⁽⁶⁾. Visual schedules take advantage of these strengths by efficiently communicating information that allows children to better predict and plan within their environment ^{(2, 3, 7)}. Some children with autism benefit from the use of computers to generate and present visual schedules, and may prefer getting visual schedule information directly from a computer rather than from a person ⁽⁸⁾.

Most behavioral problems associated with children with autism seem to stem from poor communication ⁽²⁾. While visual schedules can be useful at home, they may be especially useful for children transitioning into a school environment ^{(4, 7)}. Visual schedules facilitate communication and therefore may minimize behavioral problems ^{(3, 4)}.

Does it work?

Many studies have demonstrated that visual schedules are effective in helping developmentally disabled, and specifically, autistic children. These studies show visual schedules to be effective in helping children to gain independence and increase on-task behavior at school, at home, and in community settings ^{(1, 2, 6, 7)}. In younger children, this can translate into improved play skills, and a decrease in disruptive and aggressive behavior ^{(5, 7)}. Specifically, use of visual schedules has been associated with a decrease in disruptive behavior, aggression, tantrums, and property destruction ⁽¹⁾.

In older children, use of visual schedules can enhance learning and improve a child's ability to perform the skills required for daily living ^{(1, 3, 4, 6, 7)}. Visual schedules have also been effectively used to improve physical activity in a physical education setting ⁽⁷⁾. With time, some children are able to independently use visual schedules to achieve on-task behavior and self-management without supervision ^{(3-5, 7)}.

The most effective way to use visual schedules is to have them readily available and used consistently ⁽⁷⁾. Most children seem to enjoy the use of schedules and appear to be excited to see what will be coming next ^{(3, 4)}. This enthusiasm has been shown to translate into increased peer to peer interactions ^{(3, 4)}.

Is it harmful?

There are no reports of visual schedules being harmful.

Cost

Visual schedules can be included as a component of speech therapy ⁽¹⁾. The cost of speech therapy is covered by the government through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). The amount of speech therapy provided in this setting may be suboptimal and may need to be supplemented with private therapy. Private speech therapy can be expensive (approximately $100/hour).

Activity schedules can be designed and made at home inexpensively, and are easy to transport ⁽⁵⁾. They can be made by hand on note cards by drawing or gluing cut-out pictures from magazines. They can also be made on the computer using clipart and the PowerPoint ^TM program.

When used at home, visual schedules require an initial parental investment of time. With time, the child should achieve an improved ability for self-management and should require less parental supervision.

Resources

Healing Thresholds has partnered with Natural Learning Concepts. They sell several visual schedules that can be used at home.

Healing Thresholds has also partnered with Flag House. Flag House sells computer software for creating customized visual schedules, communication display boards such as worksheets, picture instruction sheets, reading books, journals, posters, and more.

Clipart can be used to generate homemade schedules. One source of clip art is the Graphics Factory: http://www.graphicsfactory.com/.

A book that may be useful:

Activity Schedules for Children With Autism: Teaching Independent Behavior by Lynn E. McClannahan and Patricia J. Krantz. 1999. Woodbine House Publishers.

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References

What is it?

New App Created by Brother of Youngster with Autism

scottie — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

AutisMate is a communications app created by a Jonathan Izak in response to his brother’s problems with speech.

Body:

AutisMate is a communications app created by a Jonathan Izak in response to his brother’s trouble with speech. His company, SpecialNeedsWare, is focused on improving communication potential for people on the spectrum. AutisMate contains visual stories and a visual scheduler, along with other functions, such as GPS and a content library – the app can be personalized for each child and his environment. Izak explained about his brother, “He is still struggling with speech but he does communicate using the app and also he uses it to be more independent. We really learned about his desire to connect with others and how he really wanted to be involved in what was around him….”

Original Article:

AutisMate, an Exciting New Autism App Introduced at Dallas Convention, Created by Brother of a Boy with Autism

Dad Develops iPad App to Help His Son and Others with Autism

scottie — Fri, 25 Jan 2013 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

New Zealand dad and computer developer Wayne Lewis created an app for the iPad to help his non-verbal son with autism.

Body:

New Zealand dad and computer developer Wayne Lewis created an app for the iPad to help his non-verbal son with autism. Communicate Easy, available at the Apple App store, uses visuals to teach skills. The app acts as a visual schedule to show the child what tasks to do next, such as getting dressed or going to the bathroom. Lewis explained, “Ciaran points to the pictures on the screen and we know what he needs, so it works both ways and cuts down on his frustration.” Lewis hopes the app will find a global audience. If you’re from New Zealand and you purchase the app, 100% of the proceeds go to Autism New Zealand.

Original Article:

iPad App to Help Children with Autism

A Library in Wisconsin Becomes Autism-Friendly

scottie — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Georgia Jones, a librarian at Friday Memorial Library, went to a workshop to train librarians how to make their libraries autism-friendly.

Body:

Georgia Jones, the youth librarian at Friday Memorial Library, went to a workshop designed to train librarians about autism and how to make their libraries autism-friendly. Jones began a Sensory Storytime and she focuses on “consistency, slower speaking and transition time.” The library also provides fidgets (sensory hand toys) and weighted blankets so the children will feel more comfortable. As well as the training Jones received, the library has purchased books and DVDs related to autism. They also have in place Boardmaker software for families to create PECS, flashcards, and visual schedules. The library hopes to expand into working with teens and adults with autism.

Original Article:

Friday Memorial Library Works to Become Autism-Friendly Facility

Where Do You Learn Parenting Skills when Your Child has Autism?

scottie — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 18:08:45 +0000

Teaser:

Jodi Goldberg is an educator and the mom of a child with autism.

Body:

Jodi Goldberg is an educator and the mom of a child with autism. She saw a gap between diagnosis of autism and deciding what therapies to use, so she started Autism Family Life Coach. Goldberg, based in Florida, either meets or Skypes with families to find out exactly what their needs are. She may provide visual aids to help in learning, create social skills materials, provide behavioral ideas, and educate parents on autism. She offers a weekly online radio show - Blooming with Autism.

Original Article:

Mother of Autistic Child Becomes Life Coach to Help Other Parents

Be Like Buddy is an Online Series Offering Education Tools for Kids with Autism

scottie — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Dan Kalinowski, dad to a child with autism, has developed an online education series called Be Like Buddy.

Body:

Dan Kalinowski, dad to a child with autism, has developed an online education series called Be Like Buddy. Buddy is a puppet with autism who is supported by adults using applied behavioral analysis (ABA) therapy. Kalinowski hopes the series will make therapy and education fun for kids. In addition to the videos, parents and teachers can download visual schedules and social stories. Kalinowski explained, “We also hope the fact that Buddy has autism makes him familiar and shows that using visual schedules and reward systems is a perfectly acceptable part of life that deserve screen time, too.”

Original Article:

Web Series Targets Therapies for Autistic Children

Workshop Provides Coping Skills for Children with Special Needs

scottie — Fri, 11 May 2012 15:00:00 +0000

Teaser:

Loresa Stansell, a counselor, provided a workshop in TN titled, No More Chasing Normal, to families, and teachers of kids with autism.

Body:

Loresa Stansell, a counselor, provided a workshop in Tennessee entitled, No More Chasing Normal, to families, caregivers, and teachers of kids with autism. She offered suggestions, including visual schedules even for verbal children, to help with behavior and communication. Another idea she suggested was a “rehearsal manual” that parents can use to set longer term goals for their children, for example, learning to wash laundry, or cook. Stansell also uses her own A-typical Episodic Grief Model; rather than ending with acceptance, it ends with adaptation, because children with special needs are always growing and changing.

Original Article:

Workshop Offers Coping Tips

Oregon Library Provides Sensory Storytime for Kids with Autism

scottie — Thu, 22 Mar 2012 00:02:36 +0000

Teaser:

Multnomah County Library has started a Sensory Storytime at several of its branches for kids on the autism spectrum.

Body:

Multnomah County Library has started a Sensory Storytime at several of its branches for kids on the autism spectrum. Librarian Peter Ford says he tries to channel a calm "Mr. Rogers" when he does storytime with the children. He reads more slowly, points at the illustrations, and asks questions. The county has been using this form of storytime for about six years when two librarians realized there were kids on the spectrum not being served by library activities. They coordinated with Therapy Solutions for Kids to create a sensory rich experience incorporating speech and occupational therapy methods. The story sessions are completed using Boardmaker, which is a form of a visual schedule so that children know what's coming next in the session. For example, icons let the children know when it is time to start, play a game based on the story, and say goodbye.

Original Article:

Multnomah County Library's Sensory Storytime is Low-key for Children with Autism Symptoms

Support for Parents of Children with Autism

scottie — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 13:54:46 +0000

Teaser:

The local branch of Wales’ National Autistic Society is co-sponsoring a support conference to help parents with coping skills.

Body:

The local branch of Wales’ National Autistic Society is co-sponsoring a parent support conference to help parents with coping skills. Topics at the conference include parenting strategies and school issues. There are also practical suggestions for parents that include visual schedules, communication skills, and overcoming sensory issues. Parents are encouraged to join their local autism chapter in order to receive education and support, but also to act as advocates for their children.

Original Article:

Support for Parents who Face Trials of Autistic Kids

Cooperatives Provide Assistance to Rural Families with Autism

scottie — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 17:37:30 +0000

Teaser:

We have written about the difficulties that some rural families with autism have in finding nearby therapies and special education resources.

Body:

We have written about the difficulties that some rural families with autism have in finding nearby therapies and special education resources. In an Oklahoma community, two cooperatives have formed to provide services to a number of schools for less than the cost the schools could provide services themselves. Services provided by the Cherokee County Cooperative and the Cherokee County Interlocal Cooperative include: special education teacher salaries, speech and language therapy, visual therapy, cognitive behavior therapy, and a host of other opportunities for kids with special needs.

Original Article:

Cooperatives Provide Key Resources to Rural Schools

Healing Thresholds Autism Therapy Topic Feed

Visual Schedules for Use with Autism

What is it?

What's it like?

What is the theory behind it?

Does it work?

Is it harmful?

Cost

Resources

References

What is it?

Table of Contents

New App Created by Brother of Youngster with Autism

Dad Develops iPad App to Help His Son and Others with Autism

A Library in Wisconsin Becomes Autism-Friendly

Where Do You Learn Parenting Skills when Your Child has Autism?

Be Like Buddy is an Online Series Offering Education Tools for Kids with Autism

Workshop Provides Coping Skills for Children with Special Needs

Oregon Library Provides Sensory Storytime for Kids with Autism

Support for Parents of Children with Autism

Cooperatives Provide Assistance to Rural Families with Autism