Visual supports and visual schedules

What are visual supports and visual schedules?

Visual supports are tools that present information using symbols, photographs, videos, written words or objects.

One of the most common visual supports is a visual schedule, sometimes called a picture schedule. This is a set of pictures that show activities in a person’s day or week, or steps in a specific activity like getting ready in the morning.

Visual supports can also include choice boards, visual timers, activity mats and other materials that present information in a visual way.

Who are visual supports and visual schedules for?

Many people can benefit from visual supports and visual schedules, including young children, children with developmental delay and autistic children.

What are visual supports and visual schedules used for?

Visual supports and visual schedules are used to help autistic children:

process information
communicate with others
interact with the world around them.

Visual supports can have many purposes. For example, you can use them to help children know what’s happening next, to signal a change to the normal routine, or to help children do tasks more independently.

Visual supports can be useful even after children seem to have learned a task or routine. For example, a visual support can help children cope if they’re stressed, unwell or distracted and it’s challenging for them to do their tasks or routines.

Where do visual supports and visual schedules come from?

For many years, professionals working with autistic children have used pictures and visual aids of various kinds to support children’s learning and communication.

What is the idea behind visual supports and visual schedules for autistic children?

Visual supports and visual schedules give autistic children visual information that helps them understand and interact with the world around them without relying on spoken information or instructions.

The idea is to:

give children more time to understand information
let children know what’s going to happen next and reduce their anxiety
help children become more independent.

What do visual supports and visual schedules involve?

Visual supports and visual schedules use objects, drawings, photos, pictures or videos to represent information.

Children can use visual supports or schedules in many ways. For example, a child might use a checklist with a set of tasks in pictures. The child can tick off the tasks as they complete them.

Do visual supports and visual schedules help autistic children?

Studies have shown positive outcomes, particularly in helping children follow directions, take part in activities and cope with switching from one activity to another. Visual supports and visual schedules are useful as part of broader therapies or programs focusing on children’s development and education.

Which professionals offer visual supports and visual schedules?

Anyone can make visual supports and visual schedules. The technique doesn’t need any training or qualifications, but advice from a professional can be helpful. If you’re interested, you could talk with your child’s occupational therapist, psychologist or speech pathologist about visual supports for your child’s particular needs.

Staff at child care services, preschools and schools often use visual supports and might be able to help you too.

Where can you get visual supports and visual schedules?

To get professional help to make visual supports and schedules, go to:

You can talk about visual supports and schedules with your GP or one of the other professionals working with your child. You could also talk about them with your NDIA planner, early childhood partner or local area coordinator, if you have one.

How are parents involved with visual supports and visual schedules?

You can be involved in constructing visual supports and visual schedules for your child and using these supports at home or in the community.

How much do visual supports and visual schedules cost?

The cost of visual supports depends on how you and your child use them.

If you make visual supports yourself, you’ll need to pay for materials to make the supports. Or you can buy the supports ready made.

If a professional like a speech pathologist, occupational therapist or behavioural psychologist helps you make and use visual supports, you’ll need to pay for this service.

The costs of visits to these professionals might be covered by Medicare. Whether the cost is covered depends on the professional providing the consultation and the number of consultations. Some private health funds might cover some of the consultation fee. This can be claimed immediately if the provider has HICAPS.

You might be able to include the cost of using visual schedules in children’s NDIS plans. You can contact the NDIS to find out.

After these initial costs, the ongoing cost of this approach is low.

Therapies and supports for autistic children range from behavioural therapies and developmental approaches to medicines and alternative therapies. When you understand the main types of therapies and supports for autistic children, it’ll be easier to work out the approach that will best suit your child.