Visual Schedules:
A practical guide for families
Visual schedules can help children with ADHD
follow a routine, transition between activities,
develop new skills, and reduce dependence on
caretakers when completing daily activities.
A visual schedule is a sequence of images
that are used to show children what they
are expected to do.
The series of visually presented tasks are
arranged in the schedule in the order they
are to be completed.
This provides the child with a visual
template and a predictable list of expected
behaviors.
Visual schedules can include a series of
separate tasks that are part of a routine, or
they can be used to teach a new skill by
breaking down a single activity into smaller
steps.
How to help Sam
walk the dog
PLAN MANAGEMENT
Teach Sam how to follow the schedule. He
may require physical or verbal guidance to
complete the activities appropriately,
particularly when he is first introduced to the
schedule. As Sam learns how to follow the
schedule, these prompts can be faded.
If Sam struggles to master a specific step
within the schedule, consider simplifying the
step further by breaking it down into smaller
parts.
EMOTIONAL REGULATION
Provide as much consistency as possible.
Regular mealtimes and sleep schedules are
essential for Sam’s emotional and physical
development.
Encourage Sam to talk about his feelings.
Label his feelings and discuss emotions as
they arise in books or television shows.
Practice deep breathing. This is a tool that the
whole family can practice and it can be used
anywhere!
Praise Sam’s efforts to calm down, even
when those efforts are not fully successful.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Make dog walking a part of Sam’s daily
routine by establishing a set time after school
each day for him to complete the task.
Give Sam 10 and 5 minute verbal prompts, so
that he won’t be as surprised when it’s time
to stop what he’s doing and begin walking
the dog.
Set a timer and make it Sam’s goal to finish
walking the dog before the timer runs out.
Reward his success to help incentivize future
positive behavior.
GOAL DIRECTED PERSISTENCE
Provide reinforcement when Sam completes
the schedule appropriately. This could be
praise, a treat, time to engage in a preferred
activity, or anything else that motivates him!
Make sure you change up the rewards every
once in a while. Maybe instead of a treat, take
Sam to the movies. Changing up the type of
incentive you’re giving him will keep him from
being complacent as he’ll be receiving a
variety of experiences that can stimulate him.