Visual schedules

Visual schedules are typically used by instructors that are teaching people who are either hearing impaired or for those who have communication difficulties. Often these are suggested for use when working with persons that have a lack of vocal communication but, we should always presume competence, a lack of expressive vocal language does not mean that a person lacks receptive language.

Here’s the thing though, visual schedules can be a great benefit for your whole class, and especially for your visual learners. 

1.       Pools can be noisy places, if one of your swimmers hasn’t heard an instruction, they can refer to the visual schedule.

2.       If a swimmer has difficulties processing auditory information, the visuals serve as an instead of, a back-up to what is being said and a reminder to what is being asked.

3.       Visual schedules reduce anxiety – if you have a nervous swimmer, they can see exactly what is going to happen next. This means that they can focus on the task at hand rather than sitting worrying about whether they might have to do an activity that worries them, frightens them or that they just plain don’t like.

4.       Visual schedules can give swimmers control – again having an element of control reduces anxiety, and for others such as someone identified as or presenting with Pathological Demand Avoidance, having control can be key to success in a lesson. You can set the first activity and then ask your swimmer/s to order the rest of the activities on the visual schedules; OR, you could set one activity and then ask them to choose one of two activities to put next onto the schedule.

5.       Visual schedules can be great for teachers too! They are an excellent tool to help teachers (especially newly qualified teachers) remember or stick to their lesson plans. They’re a win for everyone.

What’s the difference between a visual schedule and a first/then or now/next board?

Visual schedules will give a sequence of more than two events or instructions; this could detail everything from changing and walking to the poolside through to the lesson end or just the individual tasks for the lesson itself.

First/Then or Now and Next boards detail what is happening first or now and then the next instruction only. These can be used to help swimmers stay on task and to manage transitions (some autistic or highly anxious swimmers may struggle more with transitions). 

First/Then, not IF/Then - these boards should be used to remove the anxiety surrounding what is coming up and not to encourage swimmers to push through sensory discomfort to earn a preferred task or reward. We have an important role in safeguarding our swimmers and that includes building foundations for self-advocacy and bodily autonomy.

Visual Timers
These can work really well with visual schedules or as a stand-alone tool. They are a great tool for waiting or for setting an activity for a specific amount of time and another great anxiety reducer as a swimmer can see that they only have to do the activity for X seconds/minutes before moving on.  They can also be used as a visual stim too and provide regulation to autistic and neurodivergent swimmers. We love them and that’s why you’ll find one in our sensory toolbox.

Where can I find resources to make a visual schedule?

If your swimmer uses an AAC (Augmentative and Alternative Communication) Device you may wish to work with the swimmer or with the swimmer and their parents to print visuals that they are familiar with through their device.

If you are an Autism Swim approved provider you will have access to the Autism Swim visuals; likewise Swim Angelfish have resources for their Swim Whisperers.
SwimPix is another great resource available and are recommended by Swim England.
Swim school AquaMobile have their own visual cue cards designed for hearing impaired and autistic swimmers that are FREE to download.
You can make your own using Widgit, use of the service starts at £7 per month and there is a free 21 day trial to get you started.
You can also create your own, using photographs from your own pool or using images or symbols found online.

Swim school AquaMobile  Images and Visual Schedule