Wouldn’t it be amazing if your kid’s room becomes a place of harmony, following a smooth routine and easily moving from one activity to the next? Sounds dreamy, right? This dream can come true when you have an IEP goal for following a visual schedule. In this blog post, you’ll learn how visual schedules work, the crucial parts of setting an effective IEP goal, and how to make a great visual schedule to help your neurodivergent kid succeed.
Table of Contents
The Whys and Hows of Visual Schedules
Visual schedules are great for kids because they provide a predictable routine that kids can count on. This makes them feel safe and sure of what’s next and helps them develop essential skills. Some benefits of visual schedules include:
- Consistency: Providing a reliable routine creates a sense of security and predictability.
- Independence: Children learn to manage their actions and feel good about their abilities by following visual cues.
- Flexibility: The schedules can be easily changed to fit your child’s needs or new situations.
- Communication: Visual schedules help kids work on their non-verbal communication, which is great for kids with trouble talking or expressing their thoughts.
Now that we know why visual schedules are so helpful, let’s discover how to set an IEP goal for following visual schedules.
Read more: Make sense of your kid’s individualized education plan
Creating a Masterpiece: Setting an Effective IEP Goal
An Individualized Education Program (IEP) goal for following a visual schedule is a unique, measurable, and precise target to help your child learn the skills they need to do well.
To set the perfect IEP goal, let’s go through these simple steps:
Step 1: Identify the Need
First, determine your child’s needs, challenges, and strengths. This will help you make a personal IEP goal that focuses on the support your child needs. To identify these needs, you can:
- Observe your child’s behavior
- Consult with teachers and therapists
- Reflect on your child’s past experiences
Customize visual schedules that teach kids independence. No more nagging, no more stress.
Step 2: Set a Measurable Goal
A good IEP goal for following a visual schedule should be something you can measure and reach. Check the goal by setting a specific target or step to watch progress and see if it works. Some examples of measurable goals could be:
- Increase successful transitions between activities by 50% in 3 months
- Decrease the number of prompts needed to complete tasks by 30% in 6 weeks
Step 3: Break it Down
Split the goal into smaller, easy-to-manage objectives one step at a time. This will make the whole process less scary and help your child stay excited. For example, if your main goal is to increase successful transitions, smaller objectives could include the following:
- Teaching specific transition techniques
- Practicing the techniques with your child
- Gradually reducing the number of prompts
Build Custom Printable Visual Schedules
Is your child having trouble managing their routines? Here’s a free visual schedule builder. Goally’s custom tool allows you to create printable personalized schedules that motivate your child to focus on their tasks. Perfect for morning, homework, and bedtime routines, this free visual schedule builder is easy to use and will help your child reach their full potential.
Click below to make your CUSTOM printable visual schedule! đŸ‘‡
Step 4: Track Progress
Watch your child’s improvement by watching and writing down how they do. This will help you determine if you need to change the IEP goal or visual schedule. To track progress, you can:
- Use a progress chart or journal
- Regularly discuss your child’s progress with teachers and therapists
- Make adjustments to the visual schedule as needed
Step 5: Celebrate Success
Read More: Requesting an IEP
Finally, be happy about your child’s achievements and progress! This will make them feel good about themselves and show them the good things that come from following the visual schedule. Celebrate their success by:
- Praising their efforts
- Sharing their achievements with friends and family
- Rewarding them with special treats or privileges
Now that we know the steps to setting an IEP goal, let’s learn how to create a visual schedule that works with your child’s IEP goal.
A Picture-Perfect Visual Schedule: Design Tips and Tricks
| Tip | Description | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Be a Visual Virtuoso | Make your visual schedule fun and attractive using a variety of visual cues. | Photos, symbols, text labels, drawings, and diverse colors. |
| Keep It Simple, Smarty | Opt for a clean, clear, and easy-to-follow layout for your visual schedule. | Grid or calendar layout, limited activities, grouped similar activities. |
| Consistency is Key | Ensure consistency in your visual schedule by using the same symbols and colors for similar tasks. | Consistent color schemes, identical symbols for recurring tasks, routine time markers. |
| Be Flexible and Adapable | Make your schedule adaptable and easy to update based on your child’s progress or changing needs. | Whiteboard or magnetic surface, removable cards or labels, regular updates. |
| Make it Accessible | Place your visual schedule somewhere your child can easily access and see it. | On the refrigerator, near the child’s workspace, in a binder or portable folder. |
Goally | Apps To Structure Your Kiddo’s Routine
Does your child struggle with transitions or staying on task? Goally’s visual schedule app breaks down large tasks into small, achievable steps. It helps kids complete their tasks independently!
Create custom routines with your own videos & pictures for every step. The steps come in small, bite-sized pieces to help your child learn the little fundamentals (like putting the toothpaste on their toothbrush!) to achieve bigger goals. And that’s just the beginning.
Finally: IEP Goal for Following a Visual Schedule in Action
With an IEP goal for following a visual schedule and a well-made visual schedule, you’ll see your child’s world change. Daily tasks will become predictable, changes will be smooth, and your child will become more independent and confident. Remember, it’s not just about making the perfect visual schedule or setting the best IEP goal. It’s about the journey you and your child go on together and the progress you make.
FAQs About Visual Schedule Iep Goals
How can visual schedules support a child's IEP goals? Visual schedules can support a child's IEP goals by providing clear, visual cues for the tasks and activities they need to accomplish, improving their time management, and reducing anxiety and resistance to change.
How does a visual schedule benefit children with ADHD? Visual schedules can help children with ADHD by providing a clear and predictable structure for their day, assisting them to manage their tasks, and reducing the potential for distractions or forgotten responsibilities.
Why is consistency important in a visual schedule? Consistency in a visual schedule helps children recognize and understand routine tasks more quickly, easing transitions and reinforcing expected behaviors.
Can a visual schedule be adapted for different activities and situations? Yes, a visual schedule can be easily adapted for different activities and situations using movable elements like magnets or Velcro, making it flexible for changing needs and routines.
Where should a visual schedule be placed for easy access? A visual schedule should be placed where the child can easily see and access it throughout the day, such as on the refrigerator, near their workspace, or in a binder they carry.
This post was originally published on 04/12/2023. It was updated on 02/02/2024.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
