# Visual Routine > Visual schedule creator for children with special needs to maintain routines. (iPhone/iPad app by Megan Holstein.) - Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-routine/id455706114 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`) - Developer: [Megan Holstein](https://appshunter.io/developer/847431894) - Category: Education - Price: Free (on sale, was $3.99) - Rating: 4.00/5 from 1 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed - Age rating: 4+ - Requires: iOS 16.6 · 7 MB - Languages: English - Released: 2012-03-21 - Data updated: 2026-08-08 - Monetization: free - User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-routine/id455706114/reviews.md ## What is Visual Routine? •A4CWSN: "I like that I can make text only schedules, or picture only schedules, or combine both." •Consonantlyspeaking.com: "Visual Routine by Pufferfish Software is an easy-to-use, visual schedule creator/viewer that can be used with children with special needs." •Teach: Apps for the Classroom: "Visual Routine is great for home and school... It encourages independence for the user." •(bit.ly/XAPV8p) Spectronicsinoz.com: "It is fairly intuitive to get started with this app." •(http://bit.ly/OWiPlE) iPad Apps for Autism: "encourages you to use individualised pictures for your student." •The Appy Ladies: "I really love that you can embed up to four items within a step." (http://bit.ly/13Pe0QC) •"Visual Routine is a wonderful program for creating and using visual schedules." Autismpluggedin.com (http://bit.ly/10sdjWX) How-to youtube videos: iPad: http://bit.ly/1d2V1Xp iPhone & iPod: http://bit.ly/12mld9w Visual Routine is a simple, easy to program visual schedule that helps your autistic or special needs child keep a routine. Routines can be tailored to their needs with audio feedback, and customizable pictures, audio, and text. Instead of carrying around pecs or a laminated schedule, this app will let you have routines preset and then run them to show the child in an easy way what they have to do. ** Reviewed By A4cwsn http://a4cwsn.com/2012/04/visual-routine/ ** *FEATURES:* •Unlimited Routine Length •Create text only, picture only, or audio only choices, or any mix. •Permanent & unlimited routine storage •Up to 4 choices can be embedded within each routine step, enabling someone to pick between options. (i.e. eggs, pancakes, or cereal for breakfast.) •Easy setup right from the main screen •"The auditory feedback when a step in the routine is checked off is great as well." This app serves as a visualization tool for routines, providing portability, audio support, and excellent easy to understand graphics. By using this app special needs individuals and children will be able to understand what needs to be done easier then with PECS or simple description. Customization: A big emphasis in this app; every autistic and special needs child requires specific and centered care, and the ability to create your own routines with pictures of your child and house settings in them places the emphasis on your child. Take pictures of them doing things in their environment, and they will understand the routine better then a generic, preset choice. The images can be set by you, the user, as well as audio. ## Key features - Text, picture, or audio schedules - Customizable pictures and audio - Embedded choices within steps - Unlimited routine length - Permanent routine storage - Auditory feedback for completed steps ## Recent user reviews (10 of 15) All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-routine/id455706114/reviews.md ### 1/5 — Bad app be careful *2017-05-19* After downloading and paying an alert says the developer needs to update and it will not work on current iPad. Also there are only 5 pictures to choose from when adding a picture next to a routine. So sad as I was really looking forward to this app. But if the software isn't even up to date to run I feel they should have to disclose that or refund my money ### 1/5 — This app would get a 0 star if I could do it *2016-11-24* The app doesn't work and adding or deleting is not an option to a created "schedule". The idea is good but the execution is lousy. I also got a notice when I opened it that said it would slow down my phone because it needs to be updated from the developer. Would have been nice to see that BEFORE I purchased it. How do you get your money back?? ### 1/5 — DO DONT DO IT *2014-02-25* So why after 5 dollars do I see there is only 5 morning photos....this is a rip off!!!! ### 5/5 — No App Crashes, Great App *2014-02-09* Full Disclosure; I am involved in the development of this app. The audio bug has been fixed, and is a good app for visual routines at this price. ### 3/5 — Constantly crashing *2013-08-28* What I do like about this app is the ability to add in pictures and change around the order of the tasks. However, this task can be daunting if you use this app frequently or If the schedule changes. It constantly crashes when I'm trying to modify the schedule, so Im forced to save each little change then go back in and make the next modification. I really like using this app but may be forced to look for other options if this is not changed soon as it is too time consuming with all the crashes. ### 3/5 — Nice except the pictures are tiny *2013-06-26* I'm a speech pathologist and downloaded this app to create visual schedules for my clients' sessions. It is very intuitive but the pictures are small making it difficult to use the pictures as visual prompts. ### 3/5 — Some good features! *2013-06-23* I like the app, but when I choose not to show completed items, the audio from the first item on the list keep replaying instead of allowing each audio to come up. Any fix for this? ### 5/5 — Great app for my autistic son *2013-03-09* A simple yet flexible design. My son uses this in school every day. Easy to program in new routines. No problem with it crashing, as stated by some earlier reviewers. ### 4/5 — Good Scheduling App! *2013-02-11* This is a great app to create a quick and simple visual schedule for a child and/or adult. After getting used to the program it is easy to use and simple to design with your own personalized pictures. I feel it is very appropriate for all children, especially those with disabilities. Besides as a basic schedule, it also provides parents and educators with the ability to teach children how to learn their basic daily routines. I found it easy to make a routine for washing hands and brushing teeth that can be useful as an everyday learning routine. I like that this app does not have to have pictures for schedules. It gives the ability to create both word schedules and picture schedules to meet the various needs of different learners. Compared to other scheduling apps that are out there this is simple to use but has limitations. I think that it is a great price for the type of app that it is but with some modifications and updates it has the potential to be an overall amazing app. ### 3/5 — Make a visual schedule ! *2013-02-03* This app is a great idea and could be very useful to a lot of families. It's not as user-friendly as I would like, but it is an affordable price. I do like that it is simple and clean looking which is great for a visual schedule, because there aren't a lot of other distractions! ## Frequently asked questions about Visual Routine ### What makes Visual Routine useful for children with special needs? Visual Routine helps autistic or special needs children keep a routine by providing a portable, easy-to-understand visualization tool. It uses customizable pictures, audio, and text to make daily tasks clearer than traditional methods like PECS. ### Can I create custom schedules in Visual Routine? Yes, Visual Routine emphasizes customization. You can create routines using text-only, picture-only, or audio-only options, or any combination. You can also embed up to four choices within each routine step, allowing for personalized options. ### Does Visual Routine offer audio support? Yes, Visual Routine provides audio support. You can create audio-only steps or use audio feedback when a step in the routine is checked off, which users have found to be a great feature. ### How does Visual Routine encourage independence? By allowing users to create personalized visual schedules with familiar images and clear steps, Visual Routine encourages independence. Children can better understand what needs to be done, reducing reliance on external prompts. ### Is Visual Routine easy to set up? Yes, the app is described as fairly intuitive to get started with. Setup is easy right from the main screen, and users can quickly create and manage routines. ### What devices is Visual Routine available on? Visual Routine is available on iPad, iPhone, and iPod. YouTube videos are provided for setup and usage on both iPad and iPhone/iPod devices. ### How often is Visual Routine updated? The app was last updated on October 27, 2025, with version 3.0. This indicates a recent update, suggesting ongoing support and potential improvements. ### Does Visual Routine have ads? The provided data does not specify if Visual Routine contains advertisements. However, it is listed as free with no mention of in-app purchases, suggesting a focus on core functionality. ## Version history (last 1 release) ### 3.0 — 2025-10-27 Update architecture from Objective-C to Swift ## More apps by Megan Holstein - [SimpleList - Tasks & To-Do's](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/simplelist-tasks-and-to-dos/id847431891) - [Visual Routine 2](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/visual-routine-2/id6745766144) - [Best Prompt Ideas](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/best-prompt-ideas/id6751863439) All apps by Megan Holstein: https://appshunter.io/developer/847431894 --- *Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-08.*