Activity Schedule"
Independently engaging in appropriate tasks/activities for a certain period of time is an important life skill for children with autism. An activity schedule teaches this skill through a set of pictures (photo or PCS) or written words, which are used to visually cue the child to engage in a sequence of activities for independent recreation/leisure time (19). The number of activities and sequence of steps per activity need to be individualized for each child. For some children, activities will need to be broken down and depicted step-by-step in order for the child to complete the activity independently. For other children a more general, single photo/PCS/written word can be used to cue the child to perform an entire task or activity. Any type of binder, photo album, etc., can be used as the child's activity schedule book, or simple written lists may suffice for the child who is able to read and comprehend. The activity schedule book should contain the various tasks/activities (and steps if needed) depicted in whatever visual representation system the child best comprehends (e.g., photos, line drawings, etc.). Upon completion, a social reinforcer can be "built in" as the last page in the activity schedule book.