VISUAL AIDS STARTER KIT - behaviorinbalance.com...VISUAL AIDS STARTER KIT EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD USING CHECKLISTS, SCHEDULES, AND VISUAL REMINDERS . T A B L E O

VISUAL AIDSSTARTER KIT

EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO SUPPORT YOUR CHILD USING CHECKLISTS,

SCHEDULES, AND VISUAL REMINDERS

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INTRODUCTIONV I S U A L A I D S S T A R T E R K I T

THINK ABOUT WHAT YOUR CHILD NEEDS HELP WITH

Is it the overall morning routine? Maybe remembering the steps of getting dressed?

Knowing what types of clothing are appropriate for that day? Completing all steps of

hand washing? Independently packing a bag for school?

MEET YOUR CHILD WHERE HE OR SHE IS

If your child has never used a visual schedule before, then creating a long, detailed

schedule for the day may be too much.  Most children need to be taught how to use

a schedule.  Simply having visuals present may not be enough.  We’ve included

different backgrounds that are flexible with regard to the number of items you may

want to use.

ABOUT THIS KITWe all need reminders at times of what we need to do.  This may

come in the form of checklists, to-do lists, calendar appointments,

etc.  Children with autism are no different in this regard and tend to

thrive on structure and routine.  Visual representations of steps

that need to be completed for a particular routine or an entire to-

do list can be highly effective in establishing that structure and

ensuring that the day goes more smoothly.

There are a variety of visuals included in this kit that can be used to create a day’s overall

schedule or to break down specific activities in a day.  We’ve included instructions on how

to best use these visual icons and backgrounds to make the most of this kit for your child.

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HOW WILL YOU USE IT?

These icons can be used simply as visual reminders or as step by step guides for

your child.  For instance, if my child were fairly proficient with a bathroom routine,

but sometimes forgot certain steps, I may have the visual representations of those

steps on the wall as reminders.  However, if my child were just learning the steps of

the morning routine, I may teach her how to use the visual schedule in such a way

that walks her through each step.  

VISUAL AIDS COME IN A VARIETY OF FORMS

To Do Lists

Daily Schedules

Visual Reminders

Please see the specific sections on each to determine what might work best for your

child. 

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TO D

O LI

STS

Pre-Requisites: Because these visuals really serve as prompts, your child will need to understand the concept of matching and what each icon represents.  Formats: A To Do List can be created in several different forms.  Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.

REMOVABLE ICONS CHECKLIST WITH ICONS WRITTEN CHECKLISTS

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DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a list.  The child or adult removes each item as completed.

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use

2. Print routine page provided

3. Laminate pages

     a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

     b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of routine page you choose to use.   

  *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides     

   consistent.    

R E M O V A B L E I C O N S

T o D o L I s t s

Velcro

Printer

Ability to laminate

Scissors

MATERIALS

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DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a list, where a child may check off each item as it is completed.

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use

2. Print checklist page provided

3. Laminate pages

      a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

      b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of checklist page you choose to       

    use.  *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep

    the sides consistent.  

7. Use dry erase marker to check items off as completed.  

C H E C K L I S T S W I T H I C O N S

T o D o L i s t s

Printer

Ability to laminate

Scissors

Velcro

Dry erase marker

MATERIALS

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DESCRIPTIONIf a child is able to read, you may choose to write a checklist and mark off each

item as completed.

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use

2. Print routine page provided

3. Laminate pages

     a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

     b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, use dry erase marker to write each item onto

     checklist.     

W R I T T E N C H E C K L I S T

T O D O L I S T S

Printer

Ability to laminate

Dry erase marker

MATERIALS

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5TI

PS

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SCHE

DULE

SPre-Requisites: Because these visuals really serve as prompts, your child will need to understand the concept of matching and what each icon represents.  Formats: A schedule can be created in different forms.  Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.

REMOVABLE ICONS WRITTEN SCHEDULE

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2

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DESCRIPTIONIcons are added to a schedule.  The child or adult removes each item as

completed or uses as visual to reference.

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use including clocks for times

2. Print schedule page provided

3. Laminate pages

    a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

    b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of schedule page you choose to use.

    Note: the clocks on schedule page are meant as guides for where to put your     

    own times.  Multiple pages can be printed to create longer schedules.  

    *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides   

     consistent.      

R E M O V A B L E I C O N S

S C H E D U L E S

Printer

Ability to laminate

Velcro

Scissors

MATERIALS

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DESCRIPTIONIf child is able to read, items can be written onto schedule for reference or can be

crossed off as time passes.

CREATE1. Print visuals of clocks you want to use for times

2. Print schedule page provided

3. Laminate pages

    a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

    b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of schedule page you choose to use.

    Note: the clocks on schedule page are meant as guides for where to put your     

    own times.  Multiple pages can be printed to create longer schedules.

    *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides   

     consistent.  

 7. Use dry erase marker to write each item for schedule   

W R I T T E N S C H E D U L E S

S C H E D U L E S

Printer

Ability to laminate

Velcro

Scissors

Dry erase marker

MATERIALS

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TIPS

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V I S

U A

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E R S Pre-Requisites:

Your child should be somewhat proficient with whatever the activity is before moving to using visual reminders.  Formats: Visual reminders can be used for fading prompts or simply as reminders of something they may forget to do.  Materials needed and instructions for setting up each of the following formats are included in the pages that follow.

FADING PROMPTS OTHER REMINDERS

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2

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DESCRIPTIONIf you’ve used the visuals for a to-do list such as a bathroom routine, you may

have taught your child to remove the icons or check off each item of the routine

as they went.  You can fade your child having to remove or check off each step by

instead have the whole routine present on the wall.  This way, it is there if they

need to look at it, but they can gain more independence with the routine.  

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use 

2. Print background page provided

3. Laminate pages

    a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

    b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of background page you choose to 

     use.

    *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides   

     consistent.  

 7. Place visual reminders in corresponding location, such as bathroom for the

     bathroom routine.   

F A D I N G P R O M P T S

V I S U A L R E M I N D E R S

Printer

Ability to laminate

Velcro

Scissors

MATERIALS

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DESCRIPTIONOther reminders: If your child tends to forget certain things, such as using soap

when washing hands or putting on shoes, you can use 1 visual (e.g., soap icon

adhered to sink area or shoes icon by the front door) to remind them.  

CREATE1. Print visuals you want to use 

2. Print background page provided

3. Laminate pages

    a. You can take pages to an office store to have them laminated

    b. There are also relatively inexpensive laminators you can purchase

4. Once icon page is laminated, cut out individual icons

5. Attach Velcro to the back of each icon you want to use

6. Attach other side of Velcro to each section of background page you choose to 

     use.

    *Pro-tip: if you haven’t worked with Velcro much, remember to keep the sides   

     consistent.  

 7. Place visual reminders in corresponding location, such as bathroom for the

     bathroom routine.   

O T H E R R E M I N D E R S

V I S U A L R E M I N D E R S

Printer

Ability to laminate

Velcro

Scissors

MATERIALS

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I C O N S

Teeth Brushing Toileting Showering

Clothing

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I C O N S

Packing Bag

Morning Routine

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I C O N S

Activities

Places

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I C O N S

Reinforcers

Meals

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CREATING YOUR OWNFor all categories, you can also include your own pictures.  For

places, it may be beneficial to take pictures of the specific places

you tend to go in your community and use those in your visual

schedule.  This would also be a great idea for reinforcers.  

I C O N S

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B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Removable Icons

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Checklists with Icons

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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B A C K G R O U N D S To Do Lists: Written Checklists

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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B A C K G R O U N D S Schedules: Removable Icons

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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B A C K G R O U N D S

Written Schedules

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U S I N G T H E B A C K G R O U N D S : E X A M P L E S

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Clothing

Clothing

Teeth Brushing

Toileting

Showering

Morning Routine

Packing Bag

Places

Places

Activities

Meals

Meals

Reinforcers

Time

6:00

8:00

1:00 2:00 3:00

4:00 5:00

7:00 9:00

Time

10:00 11:00 12:00

1:30 2:30 3:30

4:30 5:30 6:30

Time

7:30 8:30 9:30

10:30 11:30 12:30

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Morning

Afternoon

Evening

Routines

ABOUT BEHAVIOR IN BALANCE

Behavior in Balance is founded on the belief that parents and caregivers are the

most important piece in helping a child with autism achieve success.  Unfortunately,

they often go without the resources and education needed to do so.

We know how confusing and overwhelming it is with all of the noise and misguided

information out there. At Behavior in Balance, we seek to provide clarity,

empowering parents with knowledge and actionable strategies. Whether you are

working with an ABA provider or just looking for more ways to help your child, we

welcome you and hope that you find our tools useful. 

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