Thursday, March 17, 2016

Do You Use Mini-Schedules?

Use core words on your mini-schedule to increase the use of functional language. My student
is going to "talk" about the calendar, "see" a YouTube clip, "find" matching pictures, "read"
 books and "play" games on the iPad. 

Do you have a mini-schedule within each therapy session? And, are your students privy to that schedule?  

Think about those professional learning activities that you attend. Isn't it nice to have a schedule provided so that you will know when each speaker will be ending presenting, how long you will have to complete that team building exercise, and when you will be able to stretch or take a bathroom break?

Your students will appreciate the schedule and it may just make your sessions run a little smoother. 

Introduce the session's activities with a picture schedule. 
  • Make a PowerPoint and present the schedule on your whiteboard or print it as a handout to create small visual schedule pictures. 
  • For those with transition issues, a pull-off schedule would benefit. See how Kristin at Simply Speech tamed some behaviors with her visual schedule. 
  • Make a FREE picture schedule at ConnectABILITY.ca. Use the provided photos and Boardmaker pictures or upload your own. 

For your readers and older students, try a written agenda  or schedule. 
  • Use a dry erase board or something like the To Do List at Can Do Kinders. 
  • Who wouldn't like schedules made with comic strips? There are several FREE websites and apps. I made the one on the right at Bitstrips.  Or, try the kid friendly, ReadWriteThink Comic Creator.  


Don't have visual support software? Check out my post No Software Needed - Free Visual Supports. 

Find more about mini-schedules at PrAACtical AAC, The Autism Helper, and Autism Classroom Resources.  


Diana

© 2016