What strategy would best help a student adjust to unexpected schedule changes instead of acting out?

Utilizing a visual schedule with a surprise card is an effective strategy for helping students adjust to unexpected schedule changes because it provides them with a structured yet flexible framework to understand their day. Visual schedules can illustrate what the student can expect throughout the day, including changes, which can reduce anxiety and feelings of uncertainty.

Incorporating a surprise card into the visual schedule acknowledges that changes can happen, and it prepares the student beforehand for potential deviations from the usual routine. This proactive approach supports the development of coping mechanisms for dealing with unexpected events in a way that does not lead to acting out. By being able to see and anticipate changes visually, students may feel more in control and better equipped to handle surprises when they arise.

Other strategies, while potentially helpful in different contexts, do not provide the same level of preparation and reassurance that a visual schedule does for unexpected changes.