5 Free Visual Schedule Templates (plus how to use them)

Visual schedules sound easy – a schedule with pictures. But it’s more than just. The visual schedule is designed to convey where the child should be or what the child should do throughout the day. They are also a personalized tool that students learn to manage on their own. Check out our Visual Schedule Template Bundle, with five free printable schedules including:

Plus read more about how to use the visual schedule.

What is a visual schedule?

Visual Schedule Use pictures to display steps in classroom activities or activities. They are often used to help students with disabilities, such as autism, understand and manage their daily activities. Visual schedules can use pictures, photos or words, depending on the child. They can be used with preschoolers to high school kids – it all matches the tools to the needs of the kids.

The visual schedule will have pictures of daily work such as reading, math and lunch. It will also host weekly specials and events, physical education classes, arts, speech or occupational therapy and so on. It may also have images of occasional events such as field trips, picture days or fire drills. All images can be changed so that students can see what will happen that day.

Students can use the visual schedule throughout the day or part of the day. For example, children can use visual schedules to help them in activities that are not stand out. Reading each part of the group lesson may have separate pictures to help the child stay focused and complete all activities.

The visual schedule can also help children learn and practice routines such as using the bathroom and washing their hands, or how to remove, use and put down classroom materials. For example, a morning routine board might have pictures to show the steps that children need to complete when they arrive (open their backpack, fill their water bottles, etc.). The idea is that students have the opportunity to practice and learn routines and provide visual support to provide structure and reinforcement.

Who needs a visual schedule?

These are often suitable for children with autism, who have ADHD, develop delays or simply process visual information more easily than auditory or written information. Visual schedules are very special accommodations and students are often advised to be part of their Individual Education Program (IEP) or Multi-Level Support System (MTSS) meetings.

Read more: What is MTSS? What is special education?

Visual schedule for autism

For students with autism, who are often capable of dealing with deficiencies in visual information and handling auditory information, the visual schedule provides a quick way to see where they should be or what they should do.

For children with autism, visual schedule:

• Increase understanding by using images
• Provide predictability and routine
• Communicate changes in routines in a familiar way
• Help students understand what they expect from them without relying on verbal instructions
• When they move the image from “do” to “complete”, there is some control over their schedule
• Generate independence when learning to manage your own visual schedule

The ultimate goal of a visual schedule is to let students learn to manage it themselves. So, at the beginning of this year, you will teach and strengthen routines and images, but in the winter and spring, start handing over tasks that will schedule management.

Visual schedule for ADHD

For children with ADHD, which may struggle with executive function and handling verbal directions, the visual schedule can:

• Provide organization for their day or event
• Help them know what they expect
• Reduce the stress of transitioning from one activity to another
• Reduce behavioral issues related to understanding their expectations

What is included in our visual schedule template bundle?

We offer five different versions of the visual schedule that you can download and use with your students in class.

Daily schedule

Use this tool to help your child move around the whole day. Schedule a schedule to publish in accessible places, such as on the side of a whiteboard or on a desk. Then, as you move throughout the day, model and teach students how to transfer each image from “do” to “do all”.

Tip: The image should be the location and show where the student should be and not the current job. For example, images of carpets instead of morning meetings. The point is to help students know where and how long they are all day.

First, the board of directors

First, the board shows students what they are doing, in order and manageable blocks. You can use a small group of students to use the first visual schedule, showing them that they will write first and then take a break. Alternatively, you can provide each student with their own first schedule to help them manage their personal work.

Work and Rewards Committee

Use this tool to show students what they do for rewards. Students will use this visual schedule throughout the day. So you can put it on their table and put it three things (read, write, read) before they get the reward. When implementing this board, it can be helpful to have students choose their rewards and remove the “to-do” as they go. Also, make sure to make tasks easy to manage. A student who can work for 5 minutes will need three tasks that can be completed in 5 minutes to receive a reward, while a student who can work throughout the block will need an image equivalent to longer time.

Morning and afternoon routine activities

A visual schedule for morning and afternoon routines can help students who need reminders to arrive and fire. Post this student to execute the routine here, or if the routine involves moving from one place to another to help the student work independently.

Binder visual schedule

A visual schedule suitable for binders can help older students move to the course in class and require visual reminders to the next step. Or it can go into the work binder to show students how to move time in the literacy block.

How do I assemble my visual schedule to print?

Prepare for cutting and lamination!

• Print out the schedule you need.
• Use the images we provide or draw your own photos from classrooms and students’ photos.
• Laminated image.
• Add Velcro to the back.
• Post a schedule that your students can access it. For example, you can place your schedule on your student’s desk or place it in the adhesive mentioned after each class.

Get free visual schedule templates!

Simply fill out the form on this landing page to instantly access all five visual schedules above.

Do you use a visual schedule? Come and share your experience on Facebook We are a teacher helpline group.

Also, check out the best autism resources for educators.