Task of the Month:

Introducing a Visual Timer allows the student to work independently on activities of indeterminate length while using a Work System.

materials you'll need

• Visual timer (Example used: Taylor Digital Minute / Second Timer – Model 5806)
• Activity of indeterminate length (such as a jigsaw puzzle, computer game, watching TV or a DVD, playing with toy cars/doll house)
• Instructions with pictures

instructions

The staff can follow instructions for introducing a timer available in the attachment below.

The student can follow instructions given in written and picture form available in the attachment below.

about work systems

Work systems allow a student to work independently in the classroom and eventually in work settings.
Tasks for work systems should be directly related to a student’s IEP goals. Work systems may include preferred and motivating activities.

graduated guidance

Use ‘graduated guidance’ if a student requires support while completing a work system task. Briefly, this means providing enough physical guidance to prevent error; reducing this support as the student gains independence. For additional information, refer to Activity Schedules for Children with Autism, Teaching Independent Behaviour by L. McClannahan & P. Krantz (First Edition: 1999, Second Edition: 2010).