How To Help Your Child With Autism Formulate A Routine

 

Having a routine in our daily life can prove to be highly beneficial. This is because it allows you to better manage and divide your time between work and your social life and develop healthy and lasting habits. However, for children (and adults) with autism and related disorders, a routine can be invaluable due to the fact that it allows them to better manage their symptoms by providing them with a clear structure and a sense of familiarity. 

Therefore, while life can sometimes be unpredictable, you must make an effort to put together a daily routine that works for your child. Here are some top tips to get you started! 

• Put together a weekly schedule, and display it clearly within your home. This way, your child can view their schedule at any time – and will know exactly what is expected of them each day. 
• Encourage your child to participate when putting together their routine – as this gives them a much greater sense of freedom and control. For example, you should expect them to spend a certain amount of time on their school or homework each week – but could allow them to decide when they would like to work on it. 
• Work their hobbies into their schedule, ensuring that they spend just as much time having fun as they do developing their special interests or studying. You should also try to ensure that their hobbies are as varied as possible so that they can develop useful skills.
• Often, children with autism or related disorders enjoy spending time alone – but this does not mean that they do not enjoy socializing or that they are unable to make meaningful and impactful friendships. Therefore, you can help them make new friends by setting aside some time in your schedule for socializing with their peers – whether this means they invite a friend over once a week or participate in team sports. 
• Where applicable, you may also want to make weekly or bi-weekly therapy part of your family’s routine. For example, at Alee Behavioral, we have a wide range of carefully curated therapy programs in place designed to help children with autism and related disorders thrive. This includes speech therapy and applied behavior analysis.
• Help your child adapt to their routine by writing down a list of tasks that they need to complete. For example, their morning routine could look a little like this: 

1. Wake up and make their bed.
2. Brush their teeth.
3. Wash their face.
4. Get dressed.
5. Have breakfast.

• While routine is important, you should also ensure that your child can deal with the unexpected or the days where things don’t quite go to plan. One way in which you can achieve this goal is by ‘scheduling’ in a surprise – where you simply write a question mark on their calendar or tell them you are going to be trying something new at a certain time. This way, they are not taken aback when something new happens.

In short, there are various steps you can take to put together a routine that works for your child – though perhaps the most important step is ensuring that they feel relaxed and comfortable. 

 

 

As COVID restrictions begin to reduce globally, we can start to make plans to spend time with our extended friends and family once again. This means that you’re bound to be receiving invites for large-scale events such as reunions, birthday parties, and even weddings. While a big event is enough to make anyone feel a little anxious from time to time, they can be even more daunting for those with autism or related disorders. 

This is because they are often crowded and noisy, leaving children feeling stressed or overstimulated, particularly if they deal with sensory issues. Furthermore, children with autism and related disorders may sometimes find it harder to respond to social cues, meaning they may find socializing within a formal setting particularly difficult. Despite this, it’s important that you do not exclude them from the event altogether by leaving them at home – after all, they are a member of the family, and their presence is just as important as anyone else’s. With that in mind, here are some ways in which you can help make it easier for your child with autism to attend a big family event. 

Add the event to your calendar as soon as possible.

Children with autism and related disorders often value routine. It allows them to ground themselves in the world around them and prepare themselves for any changes that might be coming their way.  Therefore, one way in which you can help them prepare for the family event is by adding the event to your calendar as soon as possible. You can then talk them through the process, giving them an idea of precisely what to expect when they attend the event. You could even ‘rehearse’ certain scenarios, such as the kind of conversation they might have or the food they might eat. 

Planning ahead for the event also means that you could spend some time discussing the party during an online therapy session. At Alee Behavioral, we’re always on hand to provide you with the tools and techniques you need to help your child thrive in any situation.  

Bring plenty of snacks with you. 

While there will likely be a variety of delicious food and drink to enjoy at the party, they may not always be the best choice for your child. Regardless of any special dietary requirements, they might have, they may be unwilling to try new foods as they prefer to stick to things they already know they enjoy. While it’s good to encourage them to step out of their comfort zone, as they are already in an unfamiliar environment, bringing some food and drinks along with you is a great way to help them feel a little more relaxed and comfortable. 

Bring headphones and toys. 

If the event includes loud music (or you are already dreading your aunt bringing out the karaoke machine), it may also be beneficial to bring along some headphones for your child to wear, especially if they have expressed some kind of sensitivity to loud noises in the past. You should also ensure that your child has plenty of toys or activities on hand that they can use to keep themselves entertained during the event so that they do not feel left out or bored. 

Be prepared to leave early. 

While your child may be trying their absolute best to get involved in the party, it’s essential that you do not force them to stay in a situation that they find particularly uncomfortable. If you notice any signs of discomfort or struggle, it may be time to say your goodbyes and head home to avoid upsetting your child. If your child is particularly hesitant ahead of time, you could make a compromise wherein you agree to spend a set amount of time at the party (i.e., a few hours) – but you must ensure you hold up your end of the bargain if this is the case.

 

When we are young, we begin to develop a range of skills that we will then carry with us into adulthood. This includes skills in areas such as problem-solving, relationship-building, and communication. In fact, these skills are often the foundation upon which our future personalities are based upon. However, some children with autism find it harder than others to communicate with their peers and loved ones. This could be due to the fact that they find communication in general difficult or because they are non-verbal. In fact, it is estimated that 40% of people with autism are non-verbal. With that in mind, it is important that you help your child with autism develop their skills in communication so that they can find their voice and reach their full potential.

Here are some simple ways in which you can get started and help them find their voice!

• Practice non-verbal communication. It’s important to remember that not all forms of communication involve speaking aloud. For example, you could communicate with your child through gestures, eye contact, and facial expressions. Incorporating non-verbal communication into your daily life can, therefore, help your child with autism develop the way in which they communicate and ensure they are not left out of the conversation. Furthermore, studies suggest that children (or adults) who may be non-verbal thrive when using sign language as a form of communication.
• Talk about their hobbies and interests. Sometimes, children with autism or related disorders will have special interests or hobbies they are particularly passionate about. Therefore, actively encouraging conversation on these topics is a great way to encourage them to participate in the conversation. Be sure to ask them plenty of questions, as this allows them to share their knowledge with you more thoroughly. Furthermore, you must never interrupt them when they are speaking or try to cut the conversation short as this could have a negative impact on their confidence.
• Consider attending therapy. At Alee Behavioral, we have decades of experience working closely with children with autism and related disorders, helping them to develop a wide range of skills and find their voices. Therapy services, such as Speech Therapy and Applied behavior analysis, can help your child with autism find their voice or develop their communication skills as a whole. As a result, they will begin to feel more confident.
• Encourage them to socialize with their peers. While children with autism and related disorders occasionally prefer to play or explore their interests alone – this does not mean that they don’t enjoy spending time with others – it just means it takes them a little longer to feel comfortable in group settings. However, studies suggest that children develop much quicker when they are surrounded by their peers. As a result, you should find ways for them to play and socialize with other children their age – whether that is through organized activities such as sports or by hosting a playdate at your home. When engaging in active play, children are given the opportunity to develop new relationships and find new ways to communicate – thus helping them find their voice.
• Talk about the world around you. Sometimes, children with autism can develop their language and communication skills by simply listening in on conversations. Therefore, you should try to talk to them as often as possible, using simple and straightforward language. For example, you could describe the view out of the window when you are driving instead of simply sitting in silence. While this does not put any pressure on your child to talk, it helps them learn through observation.

 

While many travel plans may have been put on hold as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the success of vaccination schemes and safety procedures means that we could very soon be traveling freely again. This means that it’s finally time to start planning your family vacation (or staycation, if you want to stay a little closer to home).

However, while many view vacations as something exciting and relaxing, children with autism or related disorders may view them with a degree of apprehension. This is because vacations often signify a break in their daily routine – which for many is a cause of discomfort. Nevertheless, this does not mean that they don’t enjoy traveling and won’t have a good time on vacation; it just means you need to find a way to make it as fun and exciting as possible for them.

With that in mind, here are some ways to help prepare your child for a fun family vacation.

Involve them in the planning process as much as possible.

As mentioned previously, children with autism and related disorders often thrive when they can stick to a certain routine or schedule. As you will be interrupting that schedule, you must help them prepare for this change so that it does not come as a surprise. Thankfully, there are various ways in which you can do this:

• Start talking about the vacation as soon as possible, giving them a confirmed date as to when you will be traveling and for how long.
• Ask them for their input on potential holiday destinations, showing them plenty of pictures and videos, so they know what to expect.
• Once booked, show them the website for your hotel or Airbnb. This means they can begin to familiarize themselves with the new environment ahead of time.
• If your child attends therapy, you could ask their therapist to discuss the upcoming vacation with them.

Put together an itinerary.

Though you may want to spend most of your vacation relaxing, an itinerary is a great way to help your child make the most out of their vacation. It takes away the element of ‘surprise,’ which can help them feel more comfortable and relaxed. When putting together an itinerary, consider the following:

• Try to ensure that your itinerary in some way resembles your usual routine. For example, you could aim to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner at the same time each day.
• Find (and plan out) some activities that you know your child will enjoy. For example, you can find activities that align with their hobbies or special interests.
• Ensure each family member is happy by allowing them to select some activities to participate in – whether this means museum visits or other local attractions.
• When traveling from one place to another, let your child know how long each journey will take.
• Put together your itinerary as soon as possible. This gives your child the chance to familiarize themselves with the schedule.

Focus on making them comfortable.

When heading out on vacation, ensure you do whatever it takes to keep your child feeling relaxed and comfortable. Thankfully, there are various ways in which you can do this, such as:

• Allowing them to ‘veto’ certain activities if they don’t feel like they want to participate.
• Asking them plenty of questions and listening to what they have to say.
• Bringing some home comforts along with you in their suitcase so that they can turn to something familiar if they need it. For example, if they prefer to eat a specific kind of cereal for breakfast – you might want to bring a box with you.

 

Though each and every person who receives an autism diagnosis experiences autism differently, there are often symptoms that overlap with each other and are experienced by a vast number of people. For example, children with autism often deal with some form of sensory regulation.

What is sensory regulation?

Sensory regulation refers to the way in which we respond to certain stimuli. This could include sensitivity to:
– Sight (Specific colors or levels of brightness)
– Touch (Certain textures or materials)
– Taste (The taste, or texture of certain foods)
– Sound (Specific sounds or levels of volumes)
– Temperature (Heat, or the cold)

For example, you may not like how a knitted jumper feels on your skin because it is made of itchy material. Alternatively, you may choose to avoid certain foods due to their texture instead of their actual taste. Our responses to certain stimuli can be broken down into two sections:

Hypersensitive. Generally, a hypersensitive response refers to an overactive response to certain stimuli – wherein the child will make their displeasure clear and actively avoid that object in the future.

Hyposensitive. A hyposensitive response often refers to an under-reaction, or perhaps more succinctly, a lack of reaction to certain stimuli. For example, children with autism sometimes do not respond to body signals in the same way as a neurotypical person, meaning that they may have poor balance.

How can I help my child work through sensory issues?

Thankfully, there are various steps you can take to help your child address (and combat) their sensory issues.

Here are some great examples to get them started.

Dealing with hypersensitivity.

– Find the cause of their discomfort, and try to figure out exactly what makes it uncomfortable for them. For example, they may say that they don’t like certain clothes when in actuality, they dislike the sensation caused by the label on the inside. Alternatively, they may say they don’t like having a bath – but may actually be responding to the temperature of the water. Encourage them to use descriptive language when explaining themselves so that you can work towards a resolution quickly.

– Where possible, avoid situations where you know your child will feel overstimulated. For example, if they are susceptible to loud noises – then you may want to avoid busy areas such as public transport during peak hours. If this is impossible, you could provide your child with headphones that block out the bulk of the noise.

– Use arts and crafts to introduce new textures to your child gradually. For example, you could spend some time putting together a collage using materials you find around the house – encouraging them to use things that they may not have felt entirely comfortable with in the past. This is a great way to slowly and safely expose them to new sensations in an environment where they feel comfortable.

– Find ways to help them remain calm if they feel overstimulated or oversensitive. For example, you should always find a way to help them step away from situations that make them feel uncomfortable – as remaining in the situation is often not the best step to resolving the issue.

Dealing with hyposensitivity.

– If your child deals with hyposensitivity that results in lower body awareness, it may mean that they struggle with balance and coordination. You can help them improve these skills by participating in fitness activities, which often help children and young people become more aware of their bodies and how they move.

– Help them gain a deeper awareness of what is happening around them by focusing on ground techniques. For example, if they appear to be lacking in focus, ask them to list: 5 things they can see, 4 things they can touch, and 3 things they can hear.

– Surround them with objects that can stimulate their senses. For example, this could include a fidget spinner or cube. Studies show that these tools can be handy when they are trying to concentrate.

At Alee Behavioral, we have years of experience working with children with autism and related disorders, helping them reach their full potential. We offer a range of specialized therapy services, from speech therapy to applied behavioral analysis, that can help them adjust to any issues they may be facing – whether that means sensory regulation or processing change. Get in touch today to find out how we could help your family!

 

 

As a parent, you will always want what is best for your child. This often means that you’ll go above and beyond to find a way to make them happy and create an environment in which they can thrive. However, when a child is diagnosed with autism or a related disorder, usual parental worries may be elevated, as it might take them a little longer to get used to certain environments and situational changes.

With that in mind, here are some top tips you can use to help your child with autism thrive in any environment – whether they are spending time at home or in school.

Understand what autism actually is.

Unfortunately, it took a long time for medical professionals to understand autism, which came hand in hand with plenty of myths about what autism is and how it presents itself. As a result, you must take some time to thoroughly research the condition once your child has received a diagnosis. This can help you gain a deeper understanding of your child and how they may be feeling. You can also gain insight by talking to your doctor or medical practitioner. Furthermore, it’s important to remember that autism can present itself through different symptoms, meaning that not every child will act or behave in the same way.

Talk openly and candidly about how you are feeling.

The more open you are, the easier it will be for your child to speak up when they are struggling. Remember that sometimes, children with autism may find it harder to express their emotions – so try to explain why you feel a certain way when expressing yourself. For example, you could say, ‘Today I am feeling frustrated because I didn’t get enough sleep and couldn’t get all of my work done’. You can follow this statement by asking how they are feeling and why they feel that way.

Help them find a suitable outlet for their emotions.

This could include playing an instrument, exercising, or even taking part in arts and craft sessions.

Implement structure & routine.

Children with autism or related disorders often prefer to stick to a specific routine. Therefore, you can help them reach their full potential by providing them with a structure they can depend upon. One way in which you can do this is by putting together a calendar at the start of each month – so that they know what activities or events they have to prepare themselves for. Alternatively, you could also use this calendar to help them start preparing themselves for unexpected elements or changes – by adding a ? mark on certain dates or times – revealing your plans to them at a later date.

Utilize therapy.

Autism therapy – whether that means speech therapy or ABH (Applied Behavioral Analysis) – can provide your child with the tools and techniques they need to reach their full potential in their daily life. This can help prepare them for any of the situations that life may throw in their direction with confidence and flexibility.

In short, there are various steps you can take to help your child thrive in any environment they may find themselves in. However, the most important advice to remember is that you simply need to let your child know that you are there for them no matter what – providing them with the support and guidance they need to navigate their way through life.