Time & Money Skills Made Easier (Autism-Friendly)

Trying to teach time and money can feel weirdly hard – even when a child is bright. Clocks are busy. Money is tiny. And “quarter past” doesn’t sound like real life.

This page pulls together simple, practical (and mostly free) resources to make time and money feel clearer, calmer, and more doable – especially for autistic learners.

Start with supports that reduce stress

A lot of autistic kids learn best when they can see what’s happening next.

• Visual schedules can help with following directions and handling transitions (switching tasks).
• Visual timers make “how long?” visible, which can reduce anxiety and make waiting easier.

Quick idea: Use a visual schedule + a timer together: “First worksheets → then break.” (Show it, don’t just say it.)

The best free resources

1) Telling time worksheets and clock printables

If you want “print-and-go” sheets:

• SEN Teacher – Telling Time generator (random clock faces, different levels, multiple pages).
• Math Salamanders – clock worksheets (including quarter past/to practice).
• K5 Learning – telling time worksheets (whole hour → half hour → quarter hour → 5 minutes).
• Teacher’s Corner – make-your-own time worksheets (choose clock style, increments, “no hands”, and more).
• Queensland school PDF: “Tell the Time” worksheets (simple write/draw practice).

Make it autism-friendly (fast):

• Start with whole hours only, then half hours, then quarters.
• Use fewer questions per page.
• Let the student match first (analogue → digital) before writing answers.

2) “Bubble-in” / multiple-choice practice (test-taking style)

If you like that circle the answer format:

• Time on the Hour Bubble-In (Numbers).
• Time on the Hour Bubble-In (Words)
• Australian money MCQ worksheets (count coins/notes and choose the correct answer).
• For time MCQ, you can also grab free “multiple choice telling time” task cards/printables (search-ready collections).

Easy DIY bubble-in method (works every time):

1. Generate 10 clock faces with SEN Teacher.
2. Under each clock, write 3 digital options (one correct + two close “trick” times).
3. Student circles the right one. Done.

3) Australian money worksheets (coins + notes)

For Aussie currency practice:

• A Nickel Count Sheet to print, laminate, or slide in a sheet protector. Use real nickels to cover each coin and then practice skip counting by fives to complete the activity. A nickel worksheet to reinforce the concept.
• A Dime Count Sheet to print, laminate, or slide in a sheet protector. Use real dimes to cover each coin and then practice skip counting by tens to complete the activity. Count coins by fives and tens.
• A Quarter Count Sheet to print, laminate, or slide in a sheet protector. Use real quarters to cover each coin and then show how 4 quarters make one dollar to complete the activity.
• Math Salamanders – Australian money worksheets (counting coins, beginner-friendly).
• Math-Aids – Australian coin worksheet generator (random coin combos; you pick which coins appear).
• MathWorksheets4Kids – Australian money practice + MCQ sets.
• RBA “Learning About Banknotes” (interactive tasks + activities for primary years).
• RBA banknote games (spot security features, puzzles, printable activities).
• MoneySmart (ASIC) lesson plans (free, curriculum-aligned money learning).

Safety note: Coins can be a choking risk — use supervision with younger kids.

4) Real-life practice that sticks

Worksheets help… but real life is where it clicks.

• Play shop at home/class: price tags, a basket, and a “checkout”. It teaches value, price, and change in a fun way.
• Use visual supports (pictures/steps) for shopping routines: “pick item → go to counter → pay → put change away”.

Mini goals to aim for:

• Recognise coins and notes
• Count coins up to $2, then $5, then $10
• Pay for one item (exact money)
• Then learn “Do I have enough?” before learning change

Action

A simple “Choose your level” guide

• Level 1: Whole hours + coin ID
• Level 2: Half hours + count same coins (all 10c, all 20c)
• Level 3: Quarter hours + mixed coins to $2
• Level 4: 5-minute time + coins + notes (to $10)
• Level 5: Real-life shop role-play + simple budgeting (“I have $5… what can I buy?”)

A printable routine (parents/teachers love this)

• “First time sheet → then 2-minute timer break → then money sheet → then choice activity.”