Autism Routines and Schedules

Most children are typically potty trained by the age of 3 1/2, for children on the autism spectrum however, this may begin later. Even with the best visual printable resources available. Some individuals on the spectrum are never toilet trained fully. Here’s how to start potty training an autistic child with visual cards. Want more parenting tips? Check out a mom’s guide on how to parent an autistic child. Top Tips for Potty Training an Autistic Child One of the reasons that potty training or toilet training can be difficult for autistic children is because of the rigidity with their routine. Now, I’m not suggesting that you abandon all routine and structure for the purposes of potty training. Far from it.  Simply look for ways…

If you are looking to help your autistic child with functional life skills, I’d love to talk to you about how to use time management resources for autism.  Some of these are so simple and my absolute favorite? Using visual schedules. Visual schedules and supports are incredibly important resources for autism and I truly believe that all starts at home. But, where does a parent begin? There’s already so much to take in when it comes to parenting an autistic child — believe me, I know! We are huge fans of using visual schedules. It helps my autistic daughter with predictability and gives her some control over her routine. From home-made schedules to schedules that are used in the classroom; visual schedules have been a…

If you have an autistic child who does not need the higher level of support that comes with visual pictures, try using a system similar to this color coded daily schedule instead. You can also set this up as a master calendar to help your entire family get organized. It’s one of the many ways to set up structure and routine. Read about why routine is important for autism and find more resources throughout our site. How to Use a Color Coded Daily Schedule for Autism A daily schedule helps with setting up routine and structure. Seems simple enough and yes, it really is that simple. Having a daily schedule takes some of the guesswork out of the day-to-day and provides structure. By making things predictable, you…

Whether you are using them as a visual schedule or to support a child in the classroom, you’re likely familiar with the benefits of visual supports for autistic children. These free printable resources for autistic children and their families are invaluable when it comes to the day-to-day.   What are Visual Supports and How Do You Use Them?   A visual support simply refers to using a picture or other item to communicate with a child who has difficulty understanding or using language. Visual supports can be: Photographs Drawings Objects Written words Lists When it comes to children on the autism spectrum, visual supports often serve one of two purposes: To help parents better communicate with their child To help the child better communicate with others Visual…

If you are looking to involve your autistic child with household chores, be sure to download a copy of my free chore chart printable for children with autism. And while you’re here, check out the rest of my free visual printables for autism. How to Use Chore Chart Printables for Autism and Why Chores are Important When we are raising our children, on the autism spectrum or not, we want to show them how to do things. This not only teaches them responsibility but also important life skills for the future. One of the ways that we can actively teach them life skills is by having them do household chores. For autistic children, while we can also teach them by showing them how to do something; we…

Routine and structure are incredibly beneficial for autistic children. But, how can you use routine to help with meltdowns? While it may not prevent them from happening, having some structure and routine in place, goes a long way. Why a Predictable Routine Helps with Meltdowns A predictable routine helps with reducing meltdowns in autistic children because: While you can’t absolutely predict your entire day, you can at least help by providing a general outline for your child’s day. For example, if you have a similar morning routine every day of the week or afterschool routine; you can help your child by setting up a visual schedule. You may also like: How Visual Schedules Can Help with Time Management When your child knows what’s coming, they can…