01/01/2020
A step-by-step guide to establishing a home routine
The following steps will show you how to create and carry out a routine.
Step 1
Identify each step of a task you’d like your child to complete, and list the steps.
Example: The task is to get ready for bed. The steps to get ready for bed are:
Brush teeth.Wash face.Read one bedtime story.Turn off the light.Step 2
Use the steps to create a schedule. Use whatever form of schedule works for your child, like a picture essay, task list or video model.
Example: Take a picture of your child completing each step. Create a visual schedule he can refer to while completing the routine. Post the visual schedule in his room and bathroom.
Step 3
Use timers or alarms to signal when the schedule will begin or to allot a certain time to a step.
Example: Set an alarm for 7 p.m. that your child can hear so he knows when his bedtime routine should begin. Use a time to make sure that he brushes his teeth for a full two minutes.
Step 4
Refer to the schedule throughout the routine. Provide praise or other reinforcement for completing steps.
Example: Prompt your child to point to the step on the visual schedule while he completes the step. As steps are completed, give him descriptive praise, like “Good work brushing your teeth all by yourself.”
Step 5
Be consistent. Complete every step of the routine every time.
Example: Complete the bedtime routine in the same order every night.
Whatever routine you decide to promote at home, remember that it takes time for children to learn. Be consistent, and don’t give up. Once your child begins to complete the routine without help or problem behavior, he may no longer need visual supports. Allow these supports to gradually disappear as the need for them lessens.
Some children become so attached to routines that they become upset at any change. It’s important that you help your child develop a little flexibility as well.
Once a routine is firmly established, allow for naturally occurring changes, such as changing the routine’s location when staying over at a family member’s house or adding a new step, like flossing after brushing teeth. This will help the routine feel safe and helpful but not rigid and compulsive.
Tips for creating goals
Follow these tips for creating a goal:
Make it achievable. Set a goal that you know can be completed.Make it observable. Create a goal that can be measured, so you can track your child’s progress.Example of an observable goal: John will complete his morning routine independently without problem behavior before the school bus arrives.Example of a non-observable goal: John will happily complete his morning routine.Create objectives. To be sure that your child is making progress, create smaller objectives that lead up to the ultimate goal.Objective: John will complete step one of his morning routine without problem behavior.Overall goal: John will complete his morning routine independently without problem behavior and before the school bus arrives.
Now that you know what you’re working toward, tracking improvement or lack of improvement in your child’s behavior is critical to understanding if your interventions are working. Knowing how your child responds to different parenting techniques helps you understand what works best for her.
How to measure progressCreate a measurement system that works for you. If the goal is to complete a morning routine, record problem behavior once a week. That way, you don’t have to feel pressure to do it every single day.Make sure what you’re recording is useful. If goal is to complete a morning routine without problem behavior, only track the problem behavior. Don’t worry about measuring anything else.Keep your tracking system where you can easily use it. For example, if goals are related to getting ready in a bathroom, keep your tracking chart taped to the bathroom wall.Create a way to analyze the information you collect. Take the time to study what you find in a way that works for you. You could try tracking data points on a graph, creating a color-coded chart or writing in a journal.Celebrate successes. From short-term smaller goals to long-term big goals, recognizing your child’s successes and providing positive feedback will give her a sense of accomplishment and pride in what she’s done.When to teach a new skill
In general, the best time to teach a new skill is when your child really wants something. That something can be a favorite toy, interactive game or yummy snack. The key is to identify what toy, game or snack your child wants, and later learn how and when to deliver it.
Your child might show motivation by:
Pointing or reaching to food or toys.Walking toward or standing near a certain item.Looking at you and then at an item.Pushing your hand toward something.Crying or throwing a tantrum when an item is taken away.Asking for something.Building motivation
If your child is showing or telling you he’s motivated, that’s the ideal time to interact and teach him a new skill. If you aren’t sure what might encourage learning in kids with autism, or if your child rarely seems motivated, you may need to build motivation into your interactions with your child.
Here are some ways you build your child’s motivation:
Become a part of any game or activity that your child usually does by himself.Make yourself fun. The activity, whatever it is, should be more fun with you than without you.Try new things. Just because your child hasn’t played with a toy before doesn’t mean he will never enjoy it.Introduce short pauses in repetitive games or right before you give your child an item. This can promote eye gazing, pointing and vocalizations.Move some items out of reach, but where your child can see them, to encourage interaction with you in order to get them.
If you feel stuck and need some ideas about new toys, games or foods to try with your child, look for information on how to expand interests in toys and games.
