You all must be SICK and tired of hearing about schedules. I feel like I talk about it all the time. I do. I’m aware. It’s on purpose, really. Schedules are that important. During my Autism Helper Classroom series, I shared the exact breakdown of what every man, woman, and child is doing at each moment of the day. This schedule is critical to making sure everyone gets their work done and the expectations are crystal clear for each adult. Once you’ve spent the grueling hours making this schedule, your job is not over yet. You still need to make student schedules.
You should have a schedule for each child in your classroom. Just do it. Don’t argue. Even if you “think” they “know” what they should do. Assumptions like that will cause a big headache later. If your boss never gave you a schedule with your days off or holidays etc. – you’d be pissed. You want to know what is happening and when. So do our kids. I did a very thorough post on how to pick the appropriate type of schedule for each student this summer. Now I want to share what the schedules look like in my room this year.
Work/Break Color Coded PECS Schedule – iPads are high powered reinforcer for this student so we build it right into his schedule. This clearly shows that after his work tasks – he gets iPad. The color coding adds to discrimination.
Color Coded PECS Schedule:
Paper Visual Schedule: (student uses dry erase marker to cross off each task)
Paper Written Schedule for Whole Week:
Paper Written Schedule for the Week with Times:
First/Then Picture Schedule: This is a new one for me! This student was not showing any signs of understanding a full day schedule so we are focusing on learning two pictures and doing a constant first work, then break routine with him. So far so good!
It’s varied but so are my students! How many different types of schedules do you have in your class?
- Planning for the Fall: Part 4 and 5 – Visually Structured Tasks and Routines - January 30, 2026
- Using TAH Curriculum for Homeschooling from a Homeschooling Parent - September 10, 2022
- Using The Autism Helper Curriculum for Homeschool - August 8, 2022
9 Responses
I have 3 different schedules for my students, written, picture and a first, then. I’m hoping to get my first, then student to be able to add more to his visual schedule without causing a meltdown! I really like how you color coded your visual schedule- I might have to try that, too!
Teaching Special Kids
This is SO helpful and awesome. Love the differentiation. Thank you!
I’m still experimenting with schedules for my kiddos this year. I have higher functioning kiddos this year, but wasn’t quite sure what they could do. Started them all on the same large word plus small pecs Velcro binder schedule. I’m ready to move a couple of them up to dry erase written schedule. I may need to move one back to pecs schedule. In the past, with my lower kids, I was using mostly first/then and vertical wall pecs schedules. I agree that schedules are a must. Unfortunately, not all my colleagues agree and I’ve spent a bit of time teaching schedules.
Re:First/Then Picture Schedule
This is a great way of displaying the 2 step schedule.
Thank you
Thanks for sharing, Mary! Yes – same situation with my guy who uses a first, then. Good luck 🙂
THanks! 🙂
Can I get a copy of your color coded Icons? I am starting a new classroom and love this idea
Sure! Here is the link: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Ready-to-go-Color-Coded-Daily-Picture-Schedule-Great-for-Children-with-Autism-286898
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