What are action cards? How to make a visual schedule

Instead of saying "hurry up and get ready," you show one thing to do right now, with a picture.

4 min read

What is an action card

An action card is a picture card with one action on one card. A picture and a short sentence show "what to do right now."

Put several cards in order and you have a visual schedule. Your child can see a daily routine, like getting ready in the morning, going to school or going to bed, from start to finish.

Why pictures and order make it easier

Spoken words are gone the moment you hear them, but a picture stays. If your child forgets, they can look again.

Seeing what comes next helps your child get ready for it. Seeing where it ends helps a lot, too.

Only one thing is shown at a time, so it's clear what to do first
You don't have to say the same thing over and over
Checking off a finished card shows your child they did it themselves

How to make one at home

Pick one routine. A short one you do every day works well. For example, brushing teeth in the morning
Break it into small actions. Instead of "brush your teeth," write actions you can see, like "put toothpaste on the brush" and "brush your top teeth"
Put one action on each card. Keep the sentence short and choose a picture that brings the action to mind right away
Choose a reward for the end. Something small you can give right away works best, like a favorite snack or game
Use it in the same place, in the same order. After a few days, break any hard step into smaller ones

Making them with ELUM

In ELUM, write one line like "brush teeth in the morning" and you get step-by-step action cards. After you edit the sentences, pictures and order and save them, the cards appear one at a time on your child's screen. Each card is read aloud, and your child checks it off when done.

Action card example: brushing teeth in the morning

1Pick up your toothbrushFind your own toothbrush
2Add toothpasteJust a pea-sized amount
3Brush your teethTop, bottom and inside
4Rinse your mouthRinse with water three times

All done: one sticker

Frequently asked questions

Are action cards and a visual schedule different things?

An action card is a single card with one action. A visual schedule is those cards laid out in order. In ELUM, each routine is a visual schedule, and the cards inside it are action cards.

How many cards should I use?

Start with 3 to 5 cards. If one card looks hard, split it into two. When it gets easy, you can combine them again.

Can my child use it without reading?

Yes. The picture comes first, and ELUM reads each card's sentence aloud.

This article is a guide for everyday routines. ELUM does not replace diagnosis or treatment.