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VISUAL AIDSSTARTER KIT
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD USING CHECKLISTS,
SCHEDULES, AND VISUAL REMINDERS
TAB
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INTRODUCTIONV I S U A L A I D S S T A R T E R K I T
THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH
Is it the overall morning routine? Maybe remembering the steps of getting dressed?
Knowing what types of clothing are appropriate for that day? Completing all steps of
hand washing? Independently packing a bag for school?
MEET YOUR CHILD WHERE HE OR SHE IS
If your child has never used a visual schedule before, then creating a long, detailed
schedule for the day may be too much. Most children need to be taught how to use
a schedule. Simply having visuals present may not be enough. We’ve included
different backgrounds that are flexible with regard to the number of items you may
want to use.
ABOUT THIS KITWe all need reminders at times of what we need to do. This may
come in the form of checklists, to-do lists, calendar appointments,
etc. Children with autism are no different in this regard and tend to
thrive on structure and routine. Visual representations of steps
that need to be completed for a particular routine or an entire to-
do list can be highly effective in establishing that structure and
ensuring that the day goes more smoothly.
There are a variety of visuals included in this kit that can be used to create a day’s overall
schedule or to break down specific activities in a day. We’ve included instructions on how
to best use these visual icons and backgrounds to make the most of this kit for your child.
1
HOW WILL YOU USE IT?
These icons can be used simply as visual reminders or as step by step guides for
your child. For instance, if my child were fairly proficient with a bathroom routine,
but sometimes forgot certain steps, I may have the visual representations of those
steps on the wall as reminders. However, if my child were just learning the steps of
the morning routine, I may teach her how to use the visual schedule in such a way
that walks her through each step.
VISUAL AIDS COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS
To Do Lists
Daily Schedules
Visual Reminders
Please see the specific sections on each to determine what might work best for your
child.
2
TO D
O LI
STS
Pre-Requisites: Because these visuals really serve as prompts, your child will need to understand the concept of matching and what each icon represents. Formats: A To Do List can be created in several different forms. Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.
REMOVABLE ICONS CHECKLIST WITH ICONS WRITTEN CHECKLISTS
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2
3
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DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a list. The child or adult removes each item as completed.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use
2. Print routine page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of routine page you choose to use.
*Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides
consistent.
R E M O V A B L E I C O N S
T o D o L I s t s
Velcro
Printer
Ability to laminate
Scissors
MATERIALS
4
DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a list, where a child may check off each item as it is completed.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use
2. Print checklist page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of checklist page you choose to
use. *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep
the sides consistent.
7. Use dry erase marker to check items off as completed.
C H E C K L I S T S W I T H I C O N S
T o D o L i s t s
Printer
Ability to laminate
Scissors
Velcro
Dry erase marker
MATERIALS
5
DESCRIPTIONIf a child is able to read, you may choose to write a checklist and mark off each
item as completed.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use
2. Print routine page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, use dry erase marker to write each item onto
checklist.
W R I T T E N C H E C K L I S T
T O D O L I S T S
Printer
Ability to laminate
Dry erase marker
MATERIALS
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12
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5TI
PS
7
SCHE
DULE
SPre-Requisites: Because these visuals really serve as prompts, your child will need to understand the concept of matching and what each icon represents. Formats: A schedule can be created in different forms. Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.
REMOVABLE ICONS WRITTEN SCHEDULE
1
2
8
DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a schedule. The child or adult removes each item as
completed or uses as visual to reference.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use including clocks for times
2. Print schedule page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of schedule page you choose to use.
Note: the clocks on schedule page are meant as guides for where to put your
own times. Multiple pages can be printed to create longer schedules.
*Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides
consistent.
R E M O V A B L E I C O N S
S C H E D U L E S
Printer
Ability to laminate
Velcro
Scissors
MATERIALS
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DESCRIPTIONIf child is able to read, items can be written onto schedule for reference or can be
crossed off as time passes.
CREATE1. Print visuals of clocks you want to use for times
2. Print schedule page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of schedule page you choose to use.
Note: the clocks on schedule page are meant as guides for where to put your
own times. Multiple pages can be printed to create longer schedules.
*Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides
consistent.
7. Use dry erase marker to write each item for schedule
W R I T T E N S C H E D U L E S
S C H E D U L E S
Printer
Ability to laminate
Velcro
Scissors
Dry erase marker
MATERIALS
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12
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76
11
TIPS
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V I S
U A
L
R
E M I
N D
E R S Pre-Requisites:
Your child should be somewhat proficient with whatever the activity is before moving to using visual reminders. Formats: Visual reminders can be used for fading prompts or simply as reminders of something they may forget to do. Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.
FADING PROMPTS OTHER REMINDERS
1
2
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DESCRIPTIONIf you’ve used the visuals for a to-do list such as a bathroom routine, you may
have taught your child to remove the icons or check off each item of the routine
as they went. You can fade your child having to remove or check off each step by
instead have the whole routine present on the wall. This way, it is there if they
need to look at it, but they can gain more independence with the routine.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use
2. Print background page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of background page you choose to
use.
*Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides
consistent.
7. Place visual reminders in corresponding location, such as bathroom for the
bathroom routine.
F A D I N G P R O M P T S
V I S U A L R E M I N D E R S
Printer
Ability to laminate
Velcro
Scissors
MATERIALS
14
DESCRIPTIONOther reminders: If your child tends to forget certain things, such as using soap
when washing hands or putting on shoes, you can use 1 visual (e.g., soap icon
adhered to sink area or shoes icon by the front door) to remind them.
CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use
2. Print background page provided
3. Laminate pages
a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated
b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase
4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons
5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use
6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of background page you choose to
use.
*Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides
consistent.
7. Place visual reminders in corresponding location, such as bathroom for the
bathroom routine.
O T H E R R E M I N D E R S
V I S U A L R E M I N D E R S
Printer
Ability to laminate
Velcro
Scissors
MATERIALS
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I C O N S
Teeth Brushing Toileting Showering
Clothing
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I C O N S
Packing Bag
Morning Routine
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I C O N S
Activities
Places
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I C O N S
Reinforcers
Meals
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CREATING YOUR OWNFor all categories, you can also include your own pictures. For
places, it may be beneficial to take pictures of the specific places
you tend to go in your community and use those in your visual
schedule. This would also be a great idea for reinforcers.
I C O N S
20
B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Removable Icons
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Checklists with Icons
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Written Checklists
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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B A C K G R O U N D S Schedules: Removable Icons
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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B A C K G R O U N D S
Written Schedules
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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S
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Clothing
Clothing
Teeth Brushing
Toileting
Showering
Morning Routine
Packing Bag
Places
Places
Activities
Meals
Meals
Reinforcers
Time
6:00
8:00
1:00 2:00 3:00
4:00 5:00
7:00 9:00
Time
10:00 11:00 12:00
1:30 2:30 3:30
4:30 5:30 6:30
Time
7:30 8:30 9:30
10:30 11:30 12:30
50
Morning
Afternoon
Evening
Routines
ABOUT BEHAVIOR IN BALANCE
Behavior in Balance is founded on the belief that parents and caregivers are the
most important piece in helping a child with autism achieve success. Unfortunately,
they often go without the resources and education needed to do so.
We know how confusing and overwhelming it is with all of the noise and misguided
information out there. At Behavior in Balance, we seek to provide clarity,
empowering parents with knowledge and actionable strategies. Whether you are
working with an ABA provider or just looking for more ways to help your child, we
welcome you and hope that you find our tools useful.
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