What to be aware of in the station

When the young person arrives at the bus or train station they may need to check the large screens to see if the bus or train they are due to travel on is on time.

They will need to be familiar with the key words such as: destination, arrival and platform. They will also need to understand 24-hour time.

Children with Autism: A visual schedule

This app visually displays a schedule which the young person can follow and also shows how long the journey will last.

Points to remember

  • Planning prior to the journey is important.  Gathering information such as departure times, type of ticket required and how much it will cost, will help ensure the experience is as predictable and as positive as possible.
  • Use visual supports to help the young person perform the necessary steps and reduce any confusion or anxiety they may experience. A sample visual schedule is shown on a smart phone pictured below, which is convenient as it is portable.
  • As stations can be crowded, noisy places having headphones may be useful.
  • Provide an incentive initially as this may encourage the young person with autism to participate in the experience.

Read previous: ← Visual instructions