Learning Resources Time Tracker® Visual Timer & Clock

First of, there appear to be two different version of this timer. One version has the display and buttons on the top and the other has the display and buttons on the front (beneath the lights.) it's seems to be pure chance as to which version you receive. I'm reviewing the version with the display and buttons on the top.This timer needs 4 AAA batteries. I've seen reviews mention it needing 4 AA batteries, I'm assuming the other version takes AA. The version with the display on top takes 4 AAA batteries. There is also an option to use a DC plug, which is not included.The discription says there are 6 sounds to choose from, this is false. There are 4 sounds and you do not get to choose between them. There is one sounds for when each light activates (green, yellow, red) and a 4th sound when the timer ends. These sounds are always on. There is a rolling type volume switch on the side of the device so you can adjust the volume. At full volume it seems very loud. All the way down, the volume is muted.The timer is very easy to set. You can select auto timer which sets the timing of the lights for you, 80% green, 15% yellow 5% red.There is also an option to set the timing for each light as you see fit. The sequence of the lights is always GREEN > YELLOW > RED. there is no option to from red to green.This is a very solid item and works very well but the wrong information in the description has hurt the rating in my eyes.The description says it uses AA batteries, be prepared to buy additional AAA batteries if you get this version instead.The description says there are 6 sounds to choose from, be prepared to only have 4 sounds and no choice between them.

I always leave an honest review, and I usually have an improvement or two that could be made. However, this has proven to be the most valuable tool in our household, without a doubt.My son is 5, autistic, needs to know exactly what's coming and is rigid in his routines. The time tracker has become the sole reliance for him to understand when something starts, is nearly over, and when something has to end. It changes from green, through yellow and finally red. It also has the benefit of a countdown on top, which my son finds useful and enjoys (he loves numbers). There is a short tune that plays in between the colours and another at the very end. It is extremely useful that this has a volume control for those autistic people who may be sound sensitive, like my son, who prefers a lower volume.USEFUL TIP:My son is very sensory and quite light sensitive, so I was glad that the lights on the timer do not reach all the way around. As there is no option to dim the lights, I turn it slightly into the wall so that the light does not affect him as much.There are numerous options and it is quite tricky to get to grips with it to begin with, but once you've got the hang of the controls, you're good to go. There is a timer option, which you can choose how long each light colour will last for, very useful for those who struggle with ending a task as you can prolong the red colour. And there is an auto timer option, whereby you set an amount of time and the timer averages out how long each colour should be (red being the shortest), this works for my son, but may not for some.Before the time tracker, we struggled with telling our son when something was about to begin or end (bathtimes, iPad, time to get dressed, how long before we go out), he would constantly ask "how long" without really understanding time. Life has become so much easier since we bought this brilliant tool!It seems pricey but honestly, it's worth more than its weight in gold and I'm certain this will be a brilliant resource to any parent or family with a child who struggles with time, whether autistic or not.

The media could not be loaded.  I'm still going to try using it with children in my classroom but I’m disappointed with the sound.

This works well for my asd son to give up his ipad

I bought to help my autistic 5 year old with bedtime and its working well so far! Have the obvious 3 colour countdown then a 4th on red that flashes to finish. Ours is set to 3 minutes each colour then it's time for bed! Does what I bought it for and it was recommended to me. Little pricey but what advertised to support autistic kids isn't 😆

The media could not be loaded.  I really wanted to keep this time tracker tool for my son as it's just perfect to allow him to keep track of time and for when something he is doing is about to end, this was good for giving him advance warning as he finds it difficult to suddenly have to stop what he's doing.For this factor alone, this light did work very well but unfortunately, the LED lights are too bright and he's sensitive to bright lights so I couldn't keep this timing device.It's a pity because the idea is fantastic, maybe if the manufacturer can allow for the lights to be dimmed then it would cater for all children.Recommended if the lights won't cause an issue!

I love this. Does what it says on the box. Very handy for any activity that needs to be timed. The only annoying thing is having to set the times separately for the green, yellow, red lights as you have to go though each light in order to get to the next. So for e.g. if i wanted to change the timer on the red light, i have to go through the green and yellow timers first before getting to the red. It would be nice if there was a separate button for each traffic light so that the required timer can be selected directly. However it shouldnt stop anyone from buying this as it is really good.Note* Needs 2 types of batteries as one is for the LED display.