Updated October 29, 2026 · 16 picks · Independent list, no paid placements
Special education teachers and speech-language pathologists spend a lot of time hunting for materials that actually fit their students: visuals that are clear, routines that stay the same from day to day and activities with more than one level. This roundup collects the resources we would point a colleague to first, grouped by the need they solve.
Some picks are printables from our own Activity Express store, and they are labeled as ours. The rest are tools, apps, shops and free libraries from other creators that we think are worth knowing about. Nobody paid to be on this list.
Visual schedules and routines
- 1
Our pick$3.49 · 38 pages
My Day Visual Schedules
Best for: Printable picture schedules for school and home
45 school picture cards, 15 home and transition cards, First-Then and Now-Next boards, token and choice boards, and a fillable PDF with 135 editable fields so you can type your own activities. It also includes a "When My Day Changes" social story for schedule changes.
- 2
Paid membership
LessonPix
Best for: Making your own custom visuals
An online tool for building custom picture cards, schedules, First-Then boards, AAC overlays, social narratives and learning games from a large clip art library. You can also upload your own photos, which helps when a student responds better to real pictures of their own classroom.
- 3
Physical product + apps
Time Timer
Best for: Showing how much time is left
Visual countdown timers in which a colored disk shrinks as time passes, available in several sizes, plus timer apps. A visual timer pairs naturally with a First-Then board: students can see when "first" ends.
- 4
Free
Indiana Resource Center for Autism: Visual Supports
Best for: Free, adaptable visual supports
A free collection of printable, adaptable visual supports and strategies such as schedules, work systems and structured tasks, for use at school, at home and in the community.
Communication and conversation
- 5
Our pick$6.85 · 54 pages
Conversation Cards with Visual Scripts
Best for: Teaching back-and-forth conversation step by step
Four progressive levels, from yes/no questions to WH questions, topic talk and "keep it going" follow-ups, all built on the same 16 friendly topics. Includes a prompt hierarchy, data tracker, self-checks, an eight-week lesson plan and IEP goal ideas.
- 6
Paid app
Proloquo2Go (AssistiveWare)
Best for: Symbol-based AAC on iPad and iPhone
A symbol-based AAC app that lets people who cannot always rely on speech communicate with pictures, text and synthesized voices. It runs on iPad and iPhone and is available in English, Spanish, French and Dutch.
Fine motor, sensory and OT support
- 7
Our pick$6.49 · 82 pages
Fine Motor Journal Pages
Best for: A year of sequenced fine motor practice
82 pages of pre-writing lines, cutting paths, shapes, letter and number journals and hand-strength activities, with two levels of tracing and cutting, a 36-week pacing map, a milestones page and a class tracker.
- 8
Free + paid
The OT Toolbox
Best for: OT activity ideas and printables
An occupational therapy site with free activity ideas, free courses and printables on topics such as handwriting, sensory processing and executive functioning, plus paid downloads and a members club.
- 9
Paid printables
Your Therapy Source
Best for: Printable OT, PT and self-regulation materials
Printable and digital resources for therapists, educators and parents, covering fine motor, handwriting, sensory motor, self-regulation, brain breaks, life skills and more.
- 10
Physical products
Fun and Function
Best for: Sensory and calming tools
A shop for sensory and therapy products such as fidgets, chewies, weighted lap pads, headphones, flexible seating and break-box items, with a section of classroom tools for schools.
Behavior and social-emotional learning
- 11
Our pick$3.49 · 40 pages
Choose Green Behavior Choices
Best for: Teaching the expected behavior in PreK–K
30 green choice and 24 red choice picture cards, two levels of sorting, 16 "What Would You Do?" scenario cards, an emergent reader, sticker charts and a home-school tracker.
- 12
Our pick$15.49 · 383 pages
Social Skills SEL Curriculum
Best for: A full social skills curriculum for PreK–1st
80 social skills, each with an illustrated social story, a ready two-day lesson plan, two activity levels and a note for families.
- 13
Free + paid
The Autism Helper
Best for: Autism classroom strategies and training
A blog, podcast, shop and professional development platform for educators of students with autism, with downloadable work-task packs, visual supports and social stories.
Adapted literacy and morning routines
- 14
Our pick$9.49 · 188 pages
Special Ed Morning Work Binder
Best for: One consistent morning routine
36 interactive tasks (name, date, weather, counting, letters and more), each in an errorless level and an independent level, with data sheets for tracking prompting.
- 15
Our pick$7.49 · 50 pages
Fall Scarecrow Adapted Book
Best for: An adapted book with picture matching
Students match a picture to finish each sentence as a fall day passes, with language and comprehension activities and teacher support pages.
- 16
Our pick$4.49 · 59 pages
Halloween Errorless Journal Writing
Best for: Errorless writing for emergent writers
Twelve journal topics with the same sentence frames and routine each day, in three levels that grow from cut and glue to independent writing, with visual supports and IEP tools.
How we chose these resources
- It solves a specific, common problem in a special education classroom or therapy room.
- It offers more than one level, or it can be customized to a student.
- Its description is clear about what you get, so you can judge fit before you buy or sign up.
- It works for teachers, SLPs and families, not only specialists.
Make a tool for teachers?
Built something teachers love? We keep these guides fresh, so send us a new tool, updated pricing or a featured spot request.
Request a listingFrequently asked questions
Are any of these placements paid?
No. Every outside pick on this page is an independent editorial choice and nobody paid to be included. Resources from Activity Express are our own, and they are labeled "Our pick".
Which resource should I start with for a new student?
Start with whatever reduces uncertainty first. For most students that is a visual schedule and a First-Then board, then a visual timer, then communication and academic supports.
Are these resources free?
Some are. The Indiana Resource Center for Autism visual supports are free, and The OT Toolbox and The Autism Helper offer free content alongside paid products. The other picks are paid. Each card says which type it is.
Can I suggest a resource for this list?
Yes. If you make a resource for special education teachers or SLPs, email us and tell us what it does and who it is for. We review every suggestion and update this list regularly.
Disclosure: Activity Express resources on this page are our own products, sold on Teachers Pay Teachers. Outside picks are independent editorial choices; we were not paid to include them and we do not earn commissions from their links. Product details are taken from each provider's own website at the time of writing and may change.