Episode 350: What To Do When Students Rip Off Schedules?

Visual schedules are a powerful tool for decreasing problem behavior, but what should you do when students start ripping them? In this episode of The Autism Helper Podcast, we break down why schedules are an essential strategy and why visual schedules are a must in structured classrooms and therapy settings. Schedule ripping isn’t a sign that schedules don’t work - it’s communication that something needs adjusting.

We walk through four practical strategies to address this behavior while keeping schedules in place. First, we discuss the importance of conducting a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA) to understand the function behind the ripping. Next, we explore how establishing strong rapport can reduce power struggles and increase student buy-in. We also share how to fade in schedule use by starting with preferred activities, and finally, how small changes to the physical setup of a schedule can make ripping more effortful and less likely.

This episode focuses on strengthening - not removing - visual schedules so they continue to support independence, predictability, and positive behavior.

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