It’s no secret that students with autism often have problems transitioning from one activity to the next. To deal with this, it’s helpful to present a visual to the student showing pictures of the steps in the transition. Studies show that even high-functioning students with autism, who express themselves well verbally, respond better to visual rather than auditory instruction.

The following tools can be used to make visual social stories, and include visual calendars, homework and chore organizers, and even a grocery shopping list.

Social Stories

• StoryboardThat (Free version, Web-based) — Comic strips; check out the pre-made social stories for special education, or make your own stories.
  

  Made from StoryboardThat.com

• First Then (free for Android) — Allows you to use your own photos to make and save two-step social stories.
• Bitsboard Flashcards & Games (free for iOS — see the Transitions download)
• Model Me Going Places 2 (Free for iOS)
• Model Me Going Places videos (DVD series $29.99 and up)
• Pictello, a talking visual story creator, ($19.99 on for iOS)

Visual Schedules

• AutiPlan (Free version for Android and iOS)
• PocketLife Calendar (free for iOS)
• iHomework 2 (Free for iOS)
• iHomework ($.99 for iOS)
• Choiceworks Calendar ($4.99 for iOS)
• Chore Pad ($4.99 for iOS)
• NeedFood, a visual grocery list ($3.99 for iOS)
  

  First Then Visual Schedule HD

• First Then Visual Schedule HD ($14.99 for iOS)
• iPrompts, ($49.99 for iOS)
• Routine Factory (Free 2-week trial for Web, Android and iOS)

You can also search on Google Images for “Boardmaker Visual Schedule” to find links to images you can print out.