Many parents, teachers, and therapists are familiar with the Visual Schedule.  Most people use the icons from programs such as Boardmaker, actual photographs of items, or labels from items.  These are routinely laminated, cut out, and attached to a laminated sheet or board with Velcro.

I wanted to share another option with you.  I work with many children who have the capability to read, but still have a need for something to help them with transitions and anxiety.  On a basic level, the above agenda is, indeed, a visual schedule.  I write the activities on a piece of note paper, and as each one is completed, it is crossed off.   Much like a To-Do list.

An added benefit to providing this type of Visual Schedule is having the child cross off each task as it is completed.  I like to have them circle the task, then cross through it with horizontal lines.  This incorporates Visual Motor skills and practice using a pencil/pen within a given boundary, while at the same time reinforcing the schedule.

All activities are completed and crossed through.  The child knows that the therapy session is finished and that it is time to transition to something else.