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Visual Schedule Planner Update: What's New?

2/20/2014

Our much-awaited update for our Visual Schedule Planner app is now in the App Store!!! There have been a few small display changes as well as a host of new features that have been included in this update. We wanted to highlight these new and enhanced features for those of you who currently use or are thinking about purchasing our Visual Schedule Planner app:

iOS UNIVERSALITY

This update will allow iPod Touch and iPhone users the ability to use Visual Schedule Planner on their devices. iPad Mini and iPad will continue to be supported (Older devices: Please make sure to check device requirements in iTunes prior to purchase.)

iCLOUD BACKUP
(located in the Settings menu - see Figure 2)

Allows the user to backup and restore their data via iCloud.

MULTIPLE USER PROFILES
(located in the Settings menu- see Figures 2 & 3)

Allows for one Admin and multiple user profiles per copy of the app.

PRINT OUT DAILY CALENDAR
(located in the Settings menu - see Figure 2)

Print hard copies of schedules for home, school, therapy, or travel purposes.

ENHANCED TONE OPTIONS
(located in Add Event Screen - see Figure 4)

More sound options for event reminders.

LIBRARIES
(location moved - see Figure 1)

Was in upper right corner of the Home screen, now in lower left corner next to Notes and Activity Schedules.

Figure 1 - Location of Libraries button has moved from upper right corner to lower left corner of the screen.

Figure 2 - New features like iCloud Backup, Print out daily calendar, and Multiple User menu can be accessed through the Settings menu.

Figure 3 - Add new users (including pictures) by tapping the option at the bottom of the Settings menu.

Figure 4 - Preview and enable new sounds for your reminders. Different sounds can be added for different events.

NOTE:
Data from the previous version of Visual Schedule Planner will transfer automatically to the update upon downloading.

Please don't hesitate to contact us at support@goodkarmaapplications.com if you have any questions or concerns!

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Using Visual Schedule Planner for Bill Payment Reminders

8/23/2013

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Need Assistance Remembering to Pay Monthly Bills?

For some of our clients and loved ones, one of the most difficult things about living independently can be the multiple responsibilities that must be juggled...maintaining the home, cleaning up, paying bills, etc.

To help with this, try using Visual Schedule Planner to import in your loved one/client's bills, letting them know when they are due, how much is owed...any details that will assist them in being able to complete this task as independently as possible. You can even set up reminders to give them an audio prompt that the bill is due and must be paid. It would be a good idea to give as much time/leeway as possible when doing this, and even planning these reminders around pay days to avoid the "overwhelm factor" that can come with having more bills than your income will cover at the time.

Set a specific icon for each type of bill for easy reference. You can also set up reminders that will alert the individual when it is time to pay the bill. If it is possible to set up online bill pay, this may make the process faster and easier.

You can get the individual in the habit of checking Week View to see whether any bills are due that week. If each bill is set for a specific date and time each month, it will make this referencing process much easier.

Using a specific time of day for "bill paying" on due dates will help the individual get into the habit of checking to see when/if a bill is due on that particular day. In this example, the due date for the electric bill can easily be seen in Month View.

Notes can also be added to track payment dates. This will avoid double paying, and will give the individual a written record of transactions in case a payment dispute arises.

Independence is a beautiful thing, no matter how you go about achieving it!

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Remembering Important Dates Using Visual Schedule Planner

8/9/2013

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Our Visual Schedule Planner app is great for helping loved ones/clients remember important dates like birthdays and anniversaries. In addition to therapies, doctor appointments, school/day program schedules, routines, etc., it can be used as a tool to mark and remind the user of these dates, so they do not get overlooked.

When you create the event, you can choose to set up a reminder, make the event for the entire day, and add images/video.

In Day View, you can see the event clearly and make any edits/changes to the details.

In Week View, you can view the event along with all of the usual recurring events in your schedule. This can help the individual plan around pay periods to purchase a gift, plan a party, etc.

To view special events in Month View, simply click the star that corrsponds to the date you wish to view, and a list of that day's events (including the special event) will be displayed to the right.

It might also help us remember too!

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Independent Study Simplified Using Visual Schedule Planner

7/24/2013

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Having a hard time getting your loved one/student to study independently?

Try using Visual Schedule Planner to "sandwich" study time between preferred activities. For example, if the individual has a project due at the end of the month, set a specific amount of time each day (or on specific days of the week) that are earmarked specifically for studying/research. To motivate the individual, try placing Study Time after a highly preferred activity (such as free time upon arrival home), and another motivating activity (like a snack, or TV time).

Set up a study time event for any days/times that will work well between two preferred activities.

Make sure the two events on either side of the independent study time are motivating and enjoyable for the individual in order to ensure success.

Using Week View can further highlight the frequency/duration of the event for the individual.

Use Month View to view any day that the event occurs (or to see which days you may have available to add in more study time, if needed).

Placing a non-preferred activity between two motivating activities within a schedule can be extremely effective, especially for those individuals who respond well to "First/Then" concepts.

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New Program? No Problem!

7/23/2013

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Will your client/loved one be starting a new placement or program this fall?

Easing anxieties over a new placement, classroom, or program is essential for both short and long term success. Our apps can come in handy in this capacity as well.

Try giving your loved one/client some input over what they will wear, bring for lunch, etc. on the first day of their new program or class by using My Choice Board to offer them the ability to make these choices for themselves. This will give them a feeling of confidence as they enter into the new environment/situation.

Providing choices can give a measure of control to an individual who may be apprehensive about a new placement or program.

Make sure that all choices offered are readily available to avoid meltdowns, disappointment, or confusion.

If you have access to images of the new placement/classroom or can visit to take pictures yourself, use Scene Speak to create a social story/book of facts about the new program, including information about the teacher/supervisor, staff, classroom/building, and anything you notice that may capture their attention and hold it (if there's a bus yard close by and the individual loves buses, for example). The anticipation of entering into a new environment can become a positive thing if the individual has something interesting to look forward to.

Providing facts and details about new teachers or staff can make the individual more comfortable when entering a new situation.

Cater to the individual's interests if possible. Find items of interest in the new program/placement that will foster a sense of excitement as they enter the new setting.

If possible, make sure the schedule for the first day of attendance is iron-clad, to avoid the chaos that can accompany lack of structure. The more clear the individual can be about what will be happening, the easier it will be to accept the new placement/program. First Then Visual Schedule HD is excellent for this purpose, and once the regular structure of the program/classroom is established, Visual Schedule Planner can be used to form a more long-term schedule of daily events and activities.

Take known activities and create a schedule for the first few days of the new program or placement to ease anxieties about the new setting.

Once routines are established and familiar, expand upon the basic schedule to use with Visual Schedule Planner. This can always be added to/amended later, if necessary.

Also, if any major changes will be occurring (for us, the program is not changing, but the teacher is getting married over the summer, which means her name will be different when school resumes), you can get your client or loved one accustomed to those changes before they return. Concepts like name changes, or even something as small as a haircut/color change can be distressing, and making sure those differences and changes are addressed before the individual goes back to the program/school can make for a smoother re-entry.

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Addressing Repetitive Behaviors

7/17/2013

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Trying to break a loved one or client from engaging in repetitive behavior at inappropriate times? Do they have a passion or fixation that just won't seem to go away? There's a Good Karma App (or two!) for that:

Using Scene Speak to create social stories about when it is appropriate to engage in certain behaviors (this can work for ANY behavior, especially some that may come with puberty) or play with certain toys can be helpful. Rather than focus on why it's inappropriate, try flipping it to validate the function of the behavior (even if we cannot understand, every behavior has a purpose, and it is meaningful to our loved ones), then shape it into something more positive, appropriate, or productive.

Create VSDs for the social story that will be appropriate for the book you wish to create.

Using the preferred object/behavior to gain attention and facilitate interest in the social story can be helpful.

Whenever possible, try to validate the individual's feelings. Every behavior has a purpose, even if that purpose is unknown.

Set clear parameters when it comes to how long, how frequent, etc. the individual is premitted to freely engage in the activity.

It may also be helpful if the individual is permitted to engage in the behavior/play with the toy/etc. in controlled measures of time. This will help them satisfy the need, but also keep the behavior within tangible parameters so that there is anticipation of the event, a set amount of time to engage in the activity, and a closed end to the event. Scheduling in this type of "break" for the individual can help alleviate anxieties for them and save you from constantly redirecting the behavior. Our Visual Schedule Planner app is great in this capacity. Maybe when your loved one/client gets off the bus/arrives home, they can have a 30 minute block of time scheduled in to engage in whatever activity they choose (think VERY unstructured free time!).

Add time for the behavior/activity by creating an event to add to the individual's daily schedule.

By creating a set time for the activity, the individual has something to look forward to, while also understanding that the activity is closed-ended.

We may not always understand the "why" behind a behavior or activity, but there are creative ways to address behaviors that respect the individual's feelings while also maintaining order and focus throughout the rest of the day.

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Whole-Team Communication Using Visual Schedule Planner

7/15/2013

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The "Notes" feature of Visual Schedule Planner can be used for parents/caregivers to communicate with therapists, teachers, day program staff, vocational trainers, and anyone else the app user interacts with on a daily basis. This is an excellent way to maintain continuity between programs/therapies, while also opening a daily dialogue between home and school/work/training.

Everything from behaviors to self help successes to toileting can be tracked and shared using this feature of the app, which can provide a comprehensive support and communication mechanism for both caregivers and the individual using the app.