The holidays are a magical time filled with exciting activities, friends and family, and for many; a disturbed routine. Children with autism tend to rely on routines to feel secure, and many families spend time carefully curating a schedule for their children because of this. After the holidays, it’s important to gently transition back into a more structured routine. Whether your child is returning to school, going back to therapy sessions, or adjusting at home, these tips can help smooth the process, and align well with strategies often used in ABA therapy autism treatment.
Begin by introducing small changes a few days before the routine officially begins. You can do this by:
- Gradually adjusting wake-up and bedtime schedules by 15-30 minutes each day until they align with your normal routine.
- Reintroduce small parts of your daily schedule, like mealtimes or quiet time.
Visual schedules are a great tool to help children understand what to expect each day.
- Review the schedule together each day to help your child feel prepared and provide them with structure.
- Try using pictures or symbols that your child recognizes to represent each activity on the schedule.
Incorporate preferred activities! Make this transition enjoyable by incorporating your child’s favorite activities into the schedule.
- If you have a child who loves sensory play, make sure that you include a sensory break in the schedule.
- Pro Tip: Use preferred activities as positive reinforcement for completing less preferred activities.
Reward your child with verbal praises when they follow the steps of the new routine, let them know they are doing a great job! You could also implement a reward system, such as earning tokens for steps completed on their schedule which can be exchanged for a treat, toy, or favorite activity. Remember, transitions take time, and it is normal for children to need extra support in this area. With patience, consistency, and a little creativity – you can help ease your child into their routine!
If you and your family are interested in beginning ABA therapy autism treatment at one of our centers, please get in touch with someone from our team, we’d be happy to support your child’s growth and success.
