Preparing for change with picture schedules
"Daniel" walked eagerly with the other students outside of the school. He, like all of the children, was very excited that morning. The little boy knew it was a very special day. The children were going off to the zoo.
Daniel’s class had already been prepared for a different routine that day. Like "Daniel" children with ASD generally don’t like surprises. To help "Daniel" get ready for the upcoming change, his daily schedule had to reflect what would be occurring.
The teacher had developed a new schedule for all of the children on what the daily activities would be when going to the zoo. The first icon was a breakfast icon followed by a hygiene icon. Those two activities were the same daily routines for "Daniel." The third and fourth icons were bus and zoo. "Daniel" was doing well with the routine change until he saw the bus outside of the school.
Daniel’s big smile turned to fear as he saw the bus that was in front of him had the number "486" on its side. His bus, the bus he always came to school on and left on, was always bus "382." He backed away from the "wrong" bus and refused to go on it. The teacher saw "Daniel’s" distress. She took the boy back into the school to calm him down. When they returned, the correct bus, "382" had suddenly appeared. The right number was now on the bus. The teacher was reminded that day to always expect the unexpected.
Schedule lengths will vary by age and ability.
A very young or a child with severe ASD should have only a few icons to represent the day. The icons may include actual pictures of such daily activities as: a toilet, brushing hair and teeth, dressing, eating (for all meals), bathing and sleeping (bed). Once the activity is completed, have an area on the schedule that says "finished."
In some cases, a child may be better beginning with just two pictures at a time. A "First" "Then" schedule helps a child transition into two activities until he can handle more icons.
When a totally new activity is occurring, prepare your child by having it on the schedule. Let them see the icon ahead of time. It can be a visual icon of change or the actual picture of the activity itself. Don’t be afraid to include extra visuals for the new activity. If it helps the child transition between activities, use it.
Schedules can be a "life saver" when an activity that is not a normal part of the day is planned. A change in schedule allows you to prepare your child for unexpected events such as going to the store, eating at a restaurant or going to the doctor’s office.
Some of these unexpected activities might also require additional preparation including social stories, actual picture videos or step by step pictures of the activity. (Refer to Writing with Symbols, Google Images, Boardmaker and PECS.) After a while, you will know what works best with your child. Remember, every child is very unique. That is especially true with an ASD child.
Pamela G. Downing, a special education teacher, can be contacted at downpamg@aol.com.
