Visual Schedule Maker
Create custom visual schedules for children with autism, ADHD, and developmental needs. Choose a template, personalize the steps, and print. Free. No account required.
Choose a Routine
Select a template to start, then customize the steps for your child.
Morning Routine
Wake up, bathroom, get dressed, eat breakfast
Bathroom Routine
Toilet, flush, wash hands, dry hands
Bedtime Routine
Bath, pajamas, brush teeth, story, sleep
School Day
Arrive, morning work, centers, lunch, recess
Mealtime
Wash hands, sit down, eat, clean up
Start from Scratch
Build your own schedule from a blank template
Edit Your Schedule
Reorder, rename, add, or remove steps. Then personalize and print.
What Are Visual Schedules?
Visual schedules are sequences of pictures or symbols that show a child what activities will happen and in what order. They are one of the most widely used and evidence-based supports in applied behavior analysis (ABA).
Why Visual Schedules Work
Children with autism often process visual information more effectively than verbal instructions. A visual schedule reduces anxiety by making the day predictable, supports independence by showing what comes next without an adult prompt, and decreases challenging behaviors during transitions by setting clear expectations.
Research supports the use of visual schedules across settings: home, school, clinic, and community. They work for toddlers learning first routines, school-age children managing classroom transitions, and adults building daily living skills.
How to Use This Tool
- Choose a template or start from scratch
- Customize the steps for your child's specific routine
- Add your child's name for personalization
- Print the schedule and place it where your child can see it
- Review the steps together before starting the routine
- Let your child check off each step as they complete it
Tips for Success
- Start with short schedules (3-5 steps) and build up
- Use the same schedule at the same time each day for consistency
- Pair the visual schedule with verbal praise when your child follows a step
- Laminate the printout and use Velcro or a dry-erase marker for checking off steps
- Update the schedule as your child masters routines and is ready for more independence
Want More Resources?
Special Learning offers free clinical resources created by Board Certified Behavior Analysts, including social stories, data collection sheets, and the V-CAT program with a free 60-minute initial BCBA consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions
A visual schedule is a series of pictures or symbols that represent activities in the order they will occur. They help children with autism understand what comes next, reduce anxiety about transitions, and build independence with daily routines.
Place the schedule where your child can see it. Before starting a routine, review the steps together. As each step is completed, your child can check it off or move to the next image. Consistency is key: use the same schedule at the same time each day.
No. Visual schedules benefit any child who struggles with transitions, routines, or executive function. They are used in classrooms, therapy settings, and group homes for individuals of all ages.
No. The visual schedule maker is completely free with no account, no email, and no sign-up required. Just choose a template, customize, and print.