This article will look at the importance of routine and consistency for children with Asperger’s. Children with Asperger’s not only need routine, they crave it! To be honest all children really benefit from routine but it is even more important for children with Asperger’s.
Establish daily routines as early as possible and stick to them. Your child will also have to be prepared for changes in routines, as we all do, so provide them with a method to deal with change. Because as we all know the best laid plans can easily come unstuck. Like for example a trip out in the car being delayed or postponed because of a puncture.
The preparation may include visual reminders, such as a schedule and timer (maybe like an egg timer for younger kids and just a regular watch/clock for older ones).
Dependent on the age and ability of your child the schedule can be just writing or have pictures/images too. Another great idea I have seen used is an “oops" card. This is basically a piece of card with the word “oops" written across it in big letters. The children are then taught that this means that there is to be an unexpected change.
After time, and a number of experiences of this, they soon begin to associate the card with a change. And cope much better with the change, as a result. So in a strange roundabout way the “oops" card that indicates a change to the routine coming up actually becomes something consistent in their life. And as you know children with Aspergers cope much better with consistency.
When changes need to occur, make sure they have plenty of time to adjust to the change. Give them verbal cues of changes that will take place, in increments as needed.
Routine will also need to include a time for homework, a time for bed, and a morning routine in order to make their transition to school successful. To the extent that is possible, avoid changes in routine. When change is necessary, give them the tools to deal with that change (like the “oops" card). This may all seem like a lot of work – and in the beginning it can be. But overall it saves a lot of time and energy for everyone. By taking a “short cut" of not providing any planned consistency the result is likely to be a more distressed child with a lot more difficult and challenging behaviors to cope with in the long term.
To briefly summarize then it is very important for parents to help their child by providing consistency and routine for them in their day-to-day life. Within this a system to help the child cope with the inevitable unplanned changes that can occur is also needed. Taking such an approach will save time and energy for everyone in the long run.
Dave Angel is a social worker with families who have children on the Autistic Spectrum and is the author of a new e-book that answers the 46 most asked questions by parents of children with Asperger’s. To claim your free 7 day Mini-Course for parents of children with Asperger’s Syndrome visit http://www.parentingaspergers.com today.
» left by Kim Snyder from Elk Grove , CA (1 year 254 days ago.)
As a mother of a grown man with autism your article was some help but a very vague.
Routines are something the whole family must be part of to help the child. My son
is the oldest of two boys and his brother helps him when there is time of change
such as when we moved. The opps card was a good idea but I am sure there are more ideas you could of given without giving away all you know. ;)
You pretty much just repeated yourself through out the whole article.
We had a timer for when dinner was to be done, helped laying out his clothes at night every night for school the next day. Had him help pick out his clothes and if his favorite shirt was dirty well that was a change in his routine. We had two favorite shirts and that even something as simple as that help with the routine. When he was stressed out from a change that happen we would let him wear a hole in a rug walking back and forth to help release the stress of a major change.
These children are god's gift and help us learn more about what we can handle. By teaching them a routine helps out all the family not just the child. I just feel
you could of added more helpful hints. I hope I was help for you to better this article, because
you have a wonderful idea but in my mind its not done yet..
~ Kim Snyder ~
mother of one 22 year old
son with autism when raising him was a delightful & stressful and I thank God everyday for him! Respond to this comment
» left by Dave Angel(309) (1 year 239 days ago.)
Hi Kim - Thanks for the feedback. The article was merely a short piece and certainly not comprehensive - as I found that people tend to prefer small bite sized chunk articles rather than too long. But I appreciate your feedback.
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