Visual schedule, life book, and sequences for autistic people
Pictalk Buddy is the free app that helps autistic people structure their daily life with a visual schedule, guided routines, and a life journal to share with loved ones.
Everyday challenges with autism
People with autism face specific difficulties in managing daily life:
- Anxiety related to invisibility: Not knowing what will happen causes intense stress and crises
- Difficulty understanding time: Abstract notions like "on time", "soon" have no concrete meaning
- Executive function disorders: Planning, organizing, and sequencing tasks are complex
- Need for structured routines: Unexpected changes are highly destabilizing
- Difficult communication with others: Difficulty explaining what happened during the day
These difficulties affect approximately 700,000 autistic people in France and greatly impact their autonomy, schooling, and professional and family life.
Pictalk Buddy is a free and ad-free application specifically designed to support autistic individuals in their daily life through adapted visual supports. It is developed by a non-profit organization with the help of medical-social professionals and concerned families.
The three tools in Pictalk Buddy
Visual Schedule: Anticipate to Reduce Anxiety
The visual schedule transforms abstract time into concrete and reassuring information.
Result: Anxiety decreases when the autistic person knows what will happen. Transitions become smoother, crises less frequent.
Autism Sequences: Step-by-step Guidance for Routines
Sequences break down complex tasks into simple, illustrated steps.
Result: Development of independence. The person completes daily tasks alone by following visual sequences.
Life Book: Sharing and Communicating About Autism
The life book facilitates communication between family, school, and professionals.
Result: Better coordination among all actors, understanding of the autistic person's needs and progress.
Cross-cutting Features
- Multi-device synchronization - The schedule updates automatically on all devices
- Offline mode - Everything works without internet connection
- Simplified interface - Simple design, distraction-free, adapted to sensory particularities
- Total customization - Add your own photos, pictograms, colors
- Export and print - Print your schedule or sequences if necessary
- Compatible with smartwatch - Pictalk Buddy Watch for autonomy on the wrist
"My 10-year-old son with autism used to have tantrums every morning because he didn't know what to expect. Since we've been using Pictalk Buddy, he checks his agenda as soon as he wakes up. He sees that after school there's swimming, his favorite activity. The tantrums have almost disappeared. The sequences help him dress himself. The life book allows the teacher to see what he did over the weekend. It has become essential."
How to get started with Pictalk Buddy
Step 1: Download Pictalk Buddy
Free app available on Android, iOS and computer. Installation in 2 minutes.
Step 2: Create your first visual schedule
Start simple with 2-3 daily events:
- Breakfast (favorite bowl photo)
- School (photo of the school or pictogram)
- Favorite activity after school (photo or pictogram)
Add start and end times. Review the schedule together every morning.
Step 3: Create your first sequence
Choose a simple routine, for example "brushing teeth":
- Take the toothbrush (photo of the brush)
- Put on toothpaste (photo of the tube)
- Brush for 2 minutes (visual timer)
- Rinse the mouth (pictogram or photo)
Accompany the person the first time, then let them follow the sequence alone.
Step 4: Use the life book
After each significant activity, take a photo and add a short comment. In the evening, review the life book together to recall the day. Share with school or educators.
Step 5: Progress gradually
Enrich the schedule over the weeks, create new sequences, involve the autistic person in creation. Pictalk Buddy grows with you.
Handling time: 20 minutes
Optional: Check out our video and written tutorials!
See our latest tutorials here:
https://www.pictalk.org/fr/agenda/resources/
Required level: No technical skills
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Pictalk Buddy free?
The vast majority of features of Pictalk Buddy are free. You can create your Agenda, Sequences, and Life Book for free. However, some features, such as content sharing, require a subscription, as this helps us fund the development of the application and the sustainability of the association.
My autistic child is 5 years old, is this suitable?
Yes. Pictalk Buddy adapts to all ages. For a young child, start with a very simple agenda (2-3 pictograms) and short sequences (3-4 steps). The application evolves with the child's abilities.
Does Pictalk Buddy work for autistic adults?
Absolutely. Many autistic adults use Pictalk Buddy to manage their independence: professional schedules in ESAT, daily routines, medical appointments, shopping...
Can I use Pictalk Buddy at school?
Yes. The teacher or the AESH can view and modify the student’s agenda. The Life Book facilitates communication between school and home. Many schools already use Pictalk Buddy as part of the Personalized Schooling Project (PPS).
Does the agenda work offline?
Yes, once the content is created, everything functions offline. Synchronization between devices requires a connection, but daily use is 100% offline.
Can I print the agenda or sequences?
Yes, you can export and print your schedule or sequences if you want a paper version displayed at home.
How to share the Life Book with family?
Create a Pictalk Buddy account and invite family members (grandparents, siblings, educators). Each can view and add content to the Life Book from their own device.
Is Pictalk Buddy compatible with connected watches?
Yes. Pictalk Buddy Watch is available for Android Wear OS watches. The agenda, sequences, and timers are accessible directly on the wrist for maximum autonomy.
Start Free Today
Join 10,000+ families using Pictalk