1. AUTISM ROUNDTABLE VISUAL SCHEDULES & SOCIAL STORIES

2. WHAT IS A VISUAL SCHEDULE? Visual schedules often use images, symbols and photos to better communicate a task or activity. They are already widely used in different forms, for example on physical wall mounted boards or planners. The wide availability of smartphones and modern tablets makes it possible to make the visual schedule interactive with: –Keep track of tasks by checking off completed items –Notifications of tasks by alarms, sound and vibration –Provide visual countdown timers to keep on track –Provide spoken texts for people who have difficulty with reading –Help keep focus on the task at hand Information from Autiplan, a visual application available for tablets and phones –Visual schedules can be used for an entire day or for specific activities such as morning routines. They can also be broken down even smaller into individual activities such as brushing teeth, or transitioning from one class to the next.

3. THE IMPORTANCE OF VISUAL SCHEDULES Children with disabilities usually rely on visual cues to gather information Provides structure and predictability Makes abstract time concepts such as “first, then, last” more concrete Helps with transitions Teaches organization Gives a student independence

4. EXAMPLES OF VISUAL SCHEDULES

5. WHAT IS A SOCIAL STORY A Social Story can be a written or visual guide describing various social interactions, situations, behaviours, skills or concepts and were introduced and described by Gray and Garand (1993). According to Gray (2010) ‘a Social Story describes a situation, skill, or concept in terms of relevant social cues, perspectives, and common responses in a specifically defined style and format. The goal of a Social Story is to share accurate social information in a patient and reassuring manner that is easily understood by its audience. –Information from educateautism.com

6. SOCIAL STORIES CONTINUED Social stories: their uses and benefits –Social stories are short descriptions of a particular situation, event or activity, which include specific information about what to expect in that situation and why. Social stories have a huge range of applications, including: to develop self-care skills (eg how to clean teeth, wash hands or get dressed), social skills (eg sharing, asking for help, saying thank you, interrupting) and academic abilities to help a person with autism to understand how others might behave or respond in a particular situation, and therefore how they might be expected to behave to help others understand the perspective of a person with autism and why they may respond or behave in a particular way to help a person to cope with changes to routine and unexpected or distressing events (eg absence of teacher, moving house, thunderstorms) to provide positive feedback to a person about an area of strength or achievement in order to develop self-esteem as a behavioural strategy (eg what to do when angry, how to cope with obsessions). *information from autism.org/uk

7. EXAMPLES OF SOCIAL STORIES Nightmares Sometimes I may have a nightmare when I am sleeping. Nightmares are the same as a dream, but more scary. Events in nightmares do not really happen. They are like pictures in my mind. It is all right if I am scared. I may try telling myself it is all in my mind. It is only a dream. Adults can help children with nightmares, too. It is okay to ask an adult for help with nightmares. When I wake up, I will see that I am all right.

8. APPS FOR VISUAL SCHEDULES AND SOCIAL STORIES Time Timer –The Time Timer application helps kids who are on the spectrum to visualize time. They may know that they have 5 minutes until the next activity, but many people would agree that they don’t quite grasp how long a quantity of time is – they can’t easily wrap their mind around this abstract concept. This app makes it simple to see how much time is left in an activity by representing the time with a color, and the color decreases steadily as time goes on. First Then Visual Schedule –This $10 app for the iPhone or iPod touch allows you to create simple schedules that help kids visualize what they will be doing and how their day is going to go. Children on the spectrum often become irritated when their schedule is not know to them, and this app gives them a way to know what lies ahead. Visual Schedule Planner –Visual Schedule Planner is completely customizable Audio-Visual Schedule/ Calendar specifically designed for individuals with who may benefit from the use of visual supports to ease transitions, anxiety or for those who may need a way to visually represent the “events” in their day. This is especially true for people with special needs such as Autism Spectrum Disorders, aquired brain injuries, learning challenges, auditory proccessing disorders and developmental delays.

9. APPS CONTINUED iPrompts Visual Supports –Used by thousands around the world, iPrompts® has been acclaimed on television, and is featured in the Autism Speaks Technology Guide. Caregivers use the app to rapidly create and present visual supports, helping individuals transition from one activity to the next, understand upcoming events, make choices, focus on the task at hand, and learn social skills. An image Library including several hundred starter images can be easily expanded “on the fly” using the device’s camera or through built-in Web searches. Stories 2 Learn –This application will give a situation, and then show you the “correct” response. For example, if a girl waves at you, you are supposed to wave back – this is what is considered socially acceptable. Quick Cues –QuickCues is a social stories app aimed more towards adults on the spectrum than children. For example: the screenshot shown on the iTunes page tells one how to answer the phone, and gives tips on how to sound happy and glad to talk to them. It says to smile before you answer to relax yourself, and to identify who you are before you just start talking to someone.QuickCues

10. MORE APPS Autiplan –People with Autism, ADHD or PDD-NOS experience stress when their world is not predictable enough. A Visual Schedule using clear pictograms can alleviate this, which has a positive impact on the entire family. Support the daily routine by creating Visual Schedules quickly and easily! My Class Schedule –This app keeps your student life organized! –My Class Schedule will not only keep you informed about your upcoming classes, but also reminds you of exams and unfinished homework. Color-coded timetable You'll always know which class comes up next. Notifications for upcoming homework, exams, classes Never forget anything again. Can auto-mute your phone during lessons To prevent awkward situations. Widgets Stay informed at a glance.

11. ENDING NOTES Visual schedules and social stories are simple to create and will make a huge difference. Think of it in terms of the way we all use our phones and calendars to know what we have planned for the day. Pintrest has a lot of pre-made visual schedules and social stories available. Please contact me if you have any questions or if you need help creating a schedule or story –Rebecca.wadsworth@millvillenj.gov