How to Use Your Flipbook

How to Use Your Flipbook

Visual support flipbooks are designed to help make routines, transitions, and expectations clearer and more predictable.

They can be used at home, in school, or in the community to support communication, independence, and regulation.

There is no “perfect” way to use your flipbook — consistency and simplicity matter most.

When to Use Your Flipbook

Use throughout the day in everyday moments:

  • During routines (morning, bedtime, getting ready)
  • Before transitions (leaving the house, ending preferred activities)
  • During challenging moments (frustration, overwhelm, waiting)
  • For independent tasks (to-do lists, step-by-step activities)
  • To support communication (requests, choices, needs)

How to Use It

Keep it simple and consistent

  • Choose the page that matches the situation
  • Show the visual before or during the moment
  • Pair the visual with short, clear language
  • Refer back to it as needed
  • Provide praise or reinforcement when used

Start small — you don’t need to use every page at once.

Page Examples

First / Then

Use during transitions or when introducing a less preferred task.

  • Show what needs to happen first
  • Follow with what comes next
  • Keep expectations clear and achievable

This helps reduce resistance and build understanding of routines.

Break Page

Use when your child is feeling overwhelmed or needs a pause.

  • Offer the break before escalation
  • Pair with a calm space or calming activity
  • Set clear expectations for returning

This supports emotional regulation and reduces frustration.

All Done

Use to signal completion of a task or activity.

  • Move completed items to “All Done”
  • Celebrate completion
  • Transition to the next step

This builds independence and a sense of accomplishment.

To-Do / Task List

Use during structured or independent activities.

  • Add tasks at the start
  • Complete one item at a time
  • Move items to “All Done” when finished

This supports organization and reduces repeated prompting.

Waiting

Use when your child needs to wait.

  • Show the waiting visual
  • Pair with a timer or clear expectation
  • Reinforce waiting success

This helps build patience and predictability.

Choice Page

Use to support communication and reduce frustration.

  • Offer 2–3 clear choices
  • Allow time to respond
  • Honor the choice when possible

This supports autonomy and reduces power struggles.