Meridith Pettigrew Why Use Picture Schedules Anyway ??

Do you have a schedule?

Is it portable?

Do you have a “to do list”?

Schedules help you organize…

Schedules let you know what to expect…

Schedules tell what activities will occur and in what sequence!

5 Reasons for Using Structure Improves understanding of the world Helps people with autism remain calm Helps people with autism learn better Device for achieving independence Behavior Management

Key Components 1. Routine 2. Physical Structure 3. Daily Schedule 4. Individual Work Systems 5. Visual Structure

… my student can understand language and follows directions well to improve receptive language skills (the understanding of language) to help provide structure, often decreasing negative behaviors to use as a supplement with verbal directions to reinforce following a command to increase understanding of new vocabulary to aid in learning how to do a particular task to help teach the concept of sequencing and ordinal terms (first, next, last...) ***to promote INDEPENDENCE (the ultimate goal) by reinforcing individual to complete task/tasks on his/her own without requiring additional cues

Types of Schedules Object Single picture Part day picture All day picture cards All day written cards All day written list Horizontal v. vertical (Either is fine. There is the argument that horizontal is better because it promotes literacy skills- we read from left to right….however, we also read from the top to the bottom of the page, vertically. Your choice.) Pull off then work Check off then work Be consistent!!!!!

Object *** pull off object and take it with you to use at your next area.

Single picture cards Present in a binder or photo album

All day/part day picture cards Presented vertically or horizontally. Present whole day or part day. Pull off picture and match it to the designated area in the room or school.

KDS modification— All day picture schedule that is removed each time a new class transitions into the room. Velcro board to main schedule board and then remove it. Hang them somewhere above or near the schedule area. Schedule set up drives me crazy!!!! Name Picture List out the schedule for easy set up at the end of the day

Present half day. The rest of the day is on the back of the schedule. Each side of the board will have a “fuzzy” and a “scratchy” strip of velcro. Scratchy holds the pics, fuzzy hold the board to the wall. Full day v. Half day?? scratchy fuzzy

Picture Mat I use this in the inclusive setting I used to have full picture schedules of the activities the student did while in the inclusive classroom. It was a lot of work and set up was difficult at the end of the day. This method has helped in my time management

Student Following Picture Schedule Click on picture to view video

Student Following Picture Schedule Click on picture to view video

Student Following Picture Schedule Click on picture to view video

Picture Word combo… As you fade pictures and move to a word schedule, the schedules may look like this….

Fading object to picture Also consider TEACHING the words by creating matching file folder games!!! Reduce size of picture and make font larger Systematic way of fading support Fading picture to word

All day written cards *** pull off word and match it to the designated area in the room or school. Another option- write on note cards and laminate

All day written list *** check off at the start of the activity I put this kind of schedule in a binder

All day written list *** check off at the start of the activity I paper clip this kind of schedule on top of the student’s school binder AND fold it in half lengthwise

The blanks in the schedule are filled in by the teacher or assistant at the beginning of the lesson. The blanks also allow for change in the schedule. I also build in change by (ex.) scratching off math and write assembly.

Student Following Written “Desk” Schedule Click on picture to view video

Student Following Written “Desk” Schedule Click on picture to view video

More Examples Wall chart Folder Book Pages Clipboard Wallet 3 ring binder Cards Desktop Strip cards Blackboard Teacher vest

Individualizing Schedules 1.Type of visual cue How do I know when to check my schedule? Yellow card 2.Length of schedule Full day Part day 1 picture 3.Mobility of schedule stationary travels from room to room age appropriate (planner) Individualize!!

Visual Cue schedule

Visual cue to check schedule

Make them accessible!

Who me? Check my schedule!?! Notice….no verbalizations from the ref….

Yellow Card (Schedule transition card) Click on picture to view video

Yellow Card (Schedule transition card) Click on picture to view video

Consider Mobility!

Tips and ideas

Manipulating Schedules

Use a bin instead of a mat to velcro pictures on when an area is used frequently. I tried this box with a slit for a student who wanted to pick the pictures back up and stim on them

Present nonpreferred activities on a first then board ON the picture schedule.

The picture of room is just on there for staff. When a student pulls off sensory, staff then pull off the “room” picture and hand it to the student after their sensory room break. I didn’t see the need in the student walking back upstairs to check their schedule to only turn around and walk back downstairs to the therapy room. This was a way for the staff to REMEMBER to hand them a “room” card when their break was over.

Each work bin was labeled with a subject. Typically on a students schedule I would just put “math” or “spelling” but to help my staff, I also wanted to put who was working with that student….so I invented the “strip”. 2 pictures were used on a strip set in 1 location on the schedule. Easy to see WHO was working with a student and WHAT they were doing with them.

Sandwich preferred activities or rewards on the main schedule.

Schedule Within a Schedule

Student Following Picture Schedule Click on picture to view video

Display pictures in sequential order Place schedule in a place within the individuals reach Consider placing all schedules in a central location Also consider– placing schedules in opposite ends of the room may help student learn where their schedule is. They will learn to associate a part of a room with which schedule is theirs. How do I use these things?

If individual is having behavioral issues and chooses to pull all pictures and the schedule itself off of the wall, secure schedule in a place where he/she has access to it only when assisted to use the schedule…like outside of room, on opposite side of door Secure the corners so the schedule stays in place when the pictures are removed (hot glue to wall or desk) Visual or auditory cue to check schedule (not an adult saying “check schedule”)

Actual use…you may initially have to physically assist individual in taking the first picture (top picture for vertical schedule, picture on left for horizontal schedule) Make sure they are looking at the schedule…you verbalize the task to be done It may take many trials until the individual understands the concept of sequence and can follow through with visual direction on his/her own Depending on the cognitive level of the individual they may not grasp the concept and may always need assistance…however, keep at it…sometimes he/she may be understanding more than you think

Suggestions: How to keep track of schedules and set up at the end of the day Once schedules are determined, I type it in list format for each day. This makes set up at the end of the day easy. Just read down the list and place the picture or word. I type all written schedules and save a copy on my computer. There are ALWAYS changes to the schedule (change in Speech or OT time) I do not type changes that are a one time change. I teach students that change is ok and TEACHERS can scratch off an activity and replace it with something else. For inclusion students, they throw away used daily schedules at the end of the day and retrieve a new schedule (from a designated spot) at the start of each day I also type whole room schedules and post them for all to see. I give each assistant a typed schedule that is readily available for subs. Have a bucket for missing pieces, bucket for timers, and labeling shelves/cabinets for your support staff etc. Monday Locker Math Free Reading Computer Lunch…. Tuesday Locker Math SPEECH Reading Computer Lunch…. or

Why Use Picture Schedules Anyway?? In-service Training Staff: ____________________________ Date: ____________________________ Topics: Rationale, How to prepare and implement picture schedules Credit Received: ___ hours Meridith Pettigrew Name Picture