Behaviour Behaviour Support Support Services Services
Activity Schedules Resource Package NOTE: This package consists of strategies which may or may not assist in responding to behaviour. It is provided for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional advice or treatment from a qualified behaviour clinician.
Activity Schedules What is the purpose of an activity schedule? Schedules share what is expected and structure daily activities, based on the individuals’ needs and abilities. Schedules are a visual aid that can be created using objects, pictures, words, or any combination of these. It is helpful to know which schedule may be best for each individual as well as how it should be used. Some individuals may succeed with only 1-2 items on a schedule, others may be successful if it outlines a half day or full day of activities.
Types of Schedules Object Schedule Use when an individual needs cues to identify the upcoming task or start a new activity. This type of schedule can be helpful if a specific object is needed in that activity. Provide the actual object to the individual to complete the activity and then it will naturally indicate when the one activity is completed and the next is ready to begin. Example: When an individual finishes gym glass, give him/her a cup to take to the snack table.
Picture Schedule This is a schedule that uses pictures to identify upcoming activities, or a portion of a day. Pictures should detail all the activities in the order that they occur. Include: activities like bathroom or a break. When the activity is completed the picture is either removed, placed in a ‘Done’ column or into a folder that is attached to the schedule, to indicate the task is finished.
Word Schedule Used when individuals are able to read and comprehend the meaning of the schedule. A word schedule is usually hand-written, lists the activities in order and will include the time the activity will start. Some individuals may cross or check off the activities once they are completed, so may be good to keep a marker close to the schedule.
Steps to Create an Activity Schedule 1. Decide when you want to use an activity schedule – is it in the morning, afternoon, specific schedule or all day 2. Choose the activities and tasks – have them complete the activities that they can independently without help from others 3. Decide how you want to display the schedule – decide on the type of schedule you want to use for the individual based on their needs either being object, picture or word 4. Choose the number of activities and rewards – decide the activities and rewards you wish to build into an activity schedule 5. Prepare and organize your schedule – decide on the space where you want the schedule to be completed, have all the materials in the area they are going to complete the schedule 6. Teach the individual how to follow the activity schedule – now everything is planned and prepared – time to follow the schedule.
Using the Activity Schedule 1. Giving instructions to start – explain the information, and allow them to be dependent in completing the tasks 2. Step behind the individual – give the instruction to start the schedule and provide assistance to completing the schedule 3. Provide assistance as needed – they may need to have you point to the item or provide help to have them pull the item off the schedule as needed 4. Reduce assistance as quickly as possible – as soon as they begin the task immediately try to lessen the assistance as soon as possible
Frequently Asked Questions What is an activity schedule? An activity schedule is a series of pictures or words that show step-by-step plans of how to do an activity such as completing a bedtime routine, working on tasks. Activity schedules can be created in a variety of ways – pictures or reminders in an app. What can I use an activity schedule for? They can be used for a variety of different activities, which an individual may need more prompts for. A person may have a schedule for the morning, one for the afternoon, and one for bedtime. You can include hour table times as well.
Helpful Apps to Download Paid Applications Visual Schedule Planner https://apps.apple.com/us/app/visual-schedule-planner/id488646282 First Then Visual Schedule https://apps.apple.com/us/app/first-then-visual-schedule-hd/id624035410 Lists to Do https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/lists-to-do/id571626623 Visuals2Go https://apps.apple.com/ca/app/visuals2go/id417882424 Visual Schedules https://apps.apple.com/us/app/visual-schedules/id1201264158
*Disclaimer: These are example applications only. Bethesda does not favor, recommend or benefit from any of the above applications (they are not affiliated with Clinical Services)