3 Tips for Creating a Predictable Routine with Autism 🧩

Predictability makes all the difference in the daily lives of autistic children (and adults too!). When they know what's going to happen, they feel more secure and less anxious. Creating a predictable routine in autism It doesn't have to be complicated and can greatly improve family well-being, both at home and when traveling.

Here at home, for example, we use a vision board with my autistic brother, and it really helps make the day more peaceful. This practice has also been essential when we travel to new places, as maintaining a basic routine helps reduce stress in unfamiliar environments.

🖼️ 1. Create Routine Visual Boards

Many children on the autism spectrum learn best visually. Routine charts help them anticipate activities and reduce frustration. You can create a chart with images that represent each stage of the day, such as waking up, having breakfast, going for a walk, playing, and sleeping.

Here at home, my mom created a personalized visual board with photos of my brother performing each activity. This made the process much clearer and more comfortable for him, especially when traveling, when everything is new.

💡 Practical tip: Use real photos of the destination or colorful, easy-to-understand icons. There are free resources that offer ready-to-print images. Customizing the board with images of family and the travel destination makes the experience more comfortable.

For inspiration, check out this free vision board example: Visual Supports - National Autistic Society.

⏰ 2. Keep Consistent Schedules

Establishing fixed schedules helps children anticipate what will happen and prepare emotionally for each transition. This applies both to their routine at home and when traveling.

🕒 Example: If your shower time is always at 7 p.m., try to stick to that schedule when you're staying elsewhere. Even if some adjustments are necessary, maintaining key times, such as mealtimes and rest times, provides a sense of security and makes it easier to adapt.

You can also use alarms or timers with soft sounds to signal activity changes, which is especially useful during walks and commutes.

📱 3. Use Routine Apps

There are currently several apps that help create interactive visual routines. These apps allow you to organize your day with images, timers, and reminders. Besides being practical, they tend to be very engaging for children, especially during trips, when it's important to reinforce what's coming up.

Check out some options that offer free versions or trial periods:

• Choiceworks – one of the most used routine apps by families and therapists.
• Visual Schedule Planner – available for iOS, allows you to customize images and sounds.
• Google Calendar – adapting different events and colors, it can also work as a visual routine.

The use of applications is a modern way to reinforce predictable routine in autism and can be combined with printed pictures, especially when you are away from home.

💛 Extra Tips to Make Your Routine More Enjoyable While Traveling

• ✨ Use positive reinforcement whenever the child follows the sequence of activities.
• 🧘 Include moments of rest and relaxation in your schedule, even on outings.
• 📢 If you need to change something, explain it in advance and show it on the visual board or in the app.
• 🎒 Pack familiar items in your luggage, such as toys and items that are part of your home routine.

Establishing predictability doesn't mean losing flexibility. The important thing is that the child understands the stages of the day and knows they can count on an organized and welcoming environment, even when traveling.

🔗 Read Also

If you want more guidance, check out our article on how to deal with routine changes in autism.

✅ Conclusion

Creating a predictable routine may seem challenging at first, but with small steps, you'll see big improvements. Visual charts, consistent schedules, and apps are simple tools that make everyday life—and travel—more peaceful and help reduce anxiety.

If this content helped you, please share it with other families and professionals who might benefit from these tips. Together, we can make the world more accessible and welcoming. 💙