About this resource
Doing laundry is an everyday skill that builds independence. These visual steps break the task into eight clear actions, with space to record the person's machine settings and tips for teaching and fading support.
Purpose
To support independence with washing and caring for clothes.
Who it is for
Primary profession: Disability support workers. Also relevant for occupational therapists.
Client or participant group: Adults and young people building independence with laundry.
Practice setting: Home and supported living.
Suggested uses
- Teaching laundry skills
- Building independence
- Consistency across workers
- Moving into new homes
Instructions for practitioners
- Use the person's own machine and products.
- Mark the right settings on the machine if helpful.
- Let the person do as much as possible.
- Fade prompts as confidence grows.
Instructions for clients or participants
- Follow the pictures in order.
- Use your settings.
- Put your clothes away.
Accessibility considerations
Use photos of the person's own machine. Add colour stickers to buttons.
Scope and limitations
A general visual support.
Research basis
Active support, which gives people real opportunities and just-enough help to take part in everyday activities, increases engagement for people with intellectual disability. Visual schedules and other visual supports are established evidence-based practices for autistic children and young people, and are widely used with others who benefit from visual information.
- Knight, V., Sartini, E., & Spriggs, A. D. (2015). Evaluating Visual Activity Schedules as Evidence-Based Practice for Individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorders. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 45(1), 157–178. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10803-014-2201-z
- Mansell, J., & Beadle-Brown, J. (2012). Active support: Enabling and empowering people with intellectual disabilities. Jessica Kingsley Publishers.
- Steinbrenner, J. R., Hume, K., Odom, S. L., Morin, K. L., Nowell, S. W., Tomaszewski, B., Szendrey, S., McIntyre, N. S., Yücesoy-Özkan, S., & Savage, M. N. (2020). Evidence-based practices for children, youth, and young adults with autism. FPG Child Development Institute, University of North Carolina. https://ncaep.fpg.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/EBP-Report-2020.pdf
What is included
A 2-page printable A4 PDF, including a practitioner notes page with the research basis (version 1.0).
Originality
Original Practitioner Plus content: wording, activity structure, layout and icons were created for this resource. No third-party worksheets, illustrations or text were reproduced. Symbols are original line drawings created for Practitioner Plus.
