Visual Supports for planning and organisation
Many people find visual and/or auditory (sound) information useful. Visual and/or auditory supports might help them to:
- Understand what is going to happen and when
- Plan and organise tasks or social activities
- Sequence activities
- Support memory
- Make sense of time (when things will happen)
This can help make life more predictable and less stressful.
There are many ways that visual and auditory information can be used, for example:
- Visual timetables or diaries can help to plan tasks and activities
- Sequencing boards can help to remember the different things that need to be done and the order that they need to happen such as when preparing a meal
- Countdown calendars can help to know how many days it is until a particular activity or event
- Lists can support memory and be looked at as many times as is needed
- Colour coding can help to prioritise tasks
- Timers or reminders can help us to know when to start and stop activities.
The National Autistic Society (NAS) have lots of useful information about organising and prioritising.