| Schedules are an important part of every child's life. | | | | come up try to get back on schedule as soon as you |
| This is especially true when dealing with a child of | | | | can. This includes weekends . If your child is used to |
| special needs like Autism. Having a schedule will help | | | | getting up at seven in the morning continue to do so. |
| the Autistic child feel a sense of structure. Children with | | | | Keep their bedtimes close to the same time each |
| Autism often have anxiety issue they are dealing with. | | | | night. Your child will be happier when they have had |
| Having a schedule helps the levels of anxiety to drop. | | | | enough sleep. |
| They know what to expect on a daily basis. They | | | | Schedules will make life much easier you and your |
| know at a certain time of the day what they will be | | | | Autistic child. Keep them posted for your child to see, |
| doing. | | | | and stick to the schedule the best you can. An |
| If there is no schedule or structure in an Autistic child's | | | | example of a schedule you can use if found below. |
| daily life things will be very hectic. They have lots of | | | | 7 AM Wake up, get dressed and ready for the day |
| doctors and therapist appointments. Sometimes there | | | | 8 AM Breakfast |
| will be more than one appointment a day. Keeping a | | | | 9 AM Therapy Appointment at home |
| schedule can help you and your child to make sure | | | | 11 AM Free time/ Play time |
| they do not miss any appointments. | | | | 12 PM Lunch |
| Some Autistic children have trouble with reading. You | | | | 1 PM Outdoor Play |
| can use a visual schedule. Have pictures for all the | | | | 2 PM Arts and Crafts |
| daily activities. This allows them to see what is coming | | | | 3 PM Free Time |
| next. Having a schedule for your child will help avoid | | | | 5 PM Dinner |
| some breakdowns. Keep the schedule posted where | | | | 6 PM TV time |
| your child can see it. If you have to change the | | | | 7 PM Bath time |
| schedule explain the changes to your child. They like | | | | 8 PM Bed Time |
| routines, and a change could throw their whole day out | | | | This allows the child to know what is going on during |
| of whack. | | | | the day. Include doctors, or therapy appointments on |
| Schedules can be a help when trying to get the child | | | | the schedule. An older child can still benefit from a |
| to do something they do not want to do. Simply show | | | | schedule. It has to be adjusted for school time, and any |
| them that after they do this they will get to move onto | | | | extra curricular activities. You can include homework |
| something else. Tell them they cannot move on until | | | | time, and chores into the chart. Once you start using a |
| this activity is completed. | | | | chart for your Autistic child you will see a improvement |
| There will always be things that come up. Try to stick | | | | in the flow of your day. This also leaves little time for |
| to the schedule as much as possible. When things | | | | boredom. There is always something planned to do. |