Most of us struggle with time management at some point. But for children and adults with ADHD, autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions, staying punctual, focused and on-task can be a regular, ongoing challenge. A visual timer is an effective and widely recognised aid for both teaching children time awareness and helping adults stay organised. So what is a visual timer, and how does it work?

A visual timer is a device designed to assist with the unique challenges faced by neurodivergent children and adults. Autism and ADHD both affect executive function, the set of higher-level cognitive skills that give us a working memory and the ability to plan, organise, shift focus and self-regulate. Difficulty organising tasks and activities is one of the key elements for an ADHD diagnosis, while autistic children can struggle with switching between tasks quickly.

Visual timers help children manage playtime, homework, reading, transitions and time-outs, as well as being valuable organisational tools for adults. As a leading provider of visual aids and sensory solutions, Sister Sensory has a timer for everyone’s tastes. Here’s our comprehensive guide to the question: “what is a visual timer and how does it work?”

What is a visual timer?

 There are many scenarios in life when having a device on hand that accurately keeps time is useful: studying, meditating, exercising and working, to name just a few. So what is a visual timer and why is it useful for people with ADHD or autism?

A visual timer is any tool, physical or digital, that uses visuals to display the amount of time remaining. Visual timers are available in all shapes and sizes and include clock timers, countdown timers, stopwatches and sensory timers that use liquid, oil, bubbles etc. to mimic the movement of sand in an hourglass. In most cases, visual timers don’t actually require reading or counting skills and their colourful displays make them relaxing and enjoyable to look at.

Visual timers break time down into manageable units that aren’t necessarily represented by numbers, giving children an easy way to track how much time they’ve spent on a task. They’re a priceless tool for individuals of all ages that struggle with distractibility, time blindness and learning or behavioural disabilities.

 Benefits of visual timers

 Now you know what a visual timer is, here are some of its biggest benefits for neurodivergent children and adults:

They teach the concept of time

Visual timers help very young children to understand the concept of time. Featuring colours, lights, sounds and pictures depending on the model, they help younger children recognise the passing of time and learn when to switch tasks.

They help kids accomplish time-sensitive tasks

For tasks such as classroom activities that have a specific time limit for completion, visual timers help kids gauge how much time they have left for a task. This gives them the chance to plan or adjust their approach when they need to.

They help limit the time spent on particular activities

Even adults can lose track of time when they’re browsing the web or social media, and autistic children become so engrossed in their special interests they can’t tell how much time has passed. Visual timers help limit screen time and manage time spent on other activities by showing a reminder when it’s time to switch tasks.

They’re perfect for visual learners

Many autistic children are visual learners and find it easiest to absorb information through aids like images, diagrams or charts. Visual timers display the passage of time in a vivid and tangible way that helps children grasp the concept.

They help reduce anxiety

Time-intensive tasks can be stressful for all children. Sensory timers are designed to be soothing and visually appealing for children to look at, in contrast to the rigid, stern appearance of ticking numbers. Designed with calming colours and little to no noise, these devices are designed to relax children rather than to push them into sensory overload.

Visual timers from Sister Sensory

 Sister Sensory has visual aids and sensory solutions for all ages including visual timers. Australia’s ultimate toy destination for all ages and educational needs, we provide affordable high-quality sensory products to children, adults and medical professionals.

We have an extensive range of stim toys and other sensory products, including visual timers. Our colour liquid motion timers integrate liquid and light to create a captivating, constantly changing display. Our 4-minute shower timers help you and your child more efficiently move through daily activities. Many of our timers put a fresh new spin on the traditional hourglass design, with visuals such as erupting volcanoes and colourful sand displays.

To find out more about our visual timers and other sensory solutions, call Sister Sensory on 0401 689 313, e-mail info@sistersensory.com.au or drop into Factory 4, 4 Brooke Court Melton, Vic, 3337.