10 Strategies to Implement Routines for Autism

How can parents create suitable routines for their children with autism?

Life can be overwhelming for anyone, regardless of their ability or mental health status. However, for individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), daily life can be particularly challenging due to the unique way their brains process and respond to the world around them. An effective way to help mitigate this overwhelming sensation is by implementing structured routines for autism.

So, how can parents create suitable routines for their children with autism? The first step is to recognize the individual preferences and needs of their child. By understanding which activities and situations seem to calm and provide security to their child, parents can design a routine that aligns with those needs.

In this blog by ABA Centers of New Jersey, we will explore the importance of routine for autism, how parents can create beneficial exercises, and how ABA therapy can play a fundamental role in acclimating your child during this process.

Understanding Routines for Autism

Autism is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by difficulties in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. Individuals with autism often struggle with changes in their environment and have a strong need for predictability and sameness. Establishing and maintaining routines can help individuals with autism navigate their daily lives more effectively.

Individuals with autism often follow a consistent sequence of activities or tasks that they perform in a specific order and at particular times. Caregivers, teachers, and therapists can implement these routines in various settings, such as at home, school, or during therapy sessions. These routines can include daily activities, like waking up, getting dressed, eating meals, attending school, engaging in therapy sessions, and going to bed.

The book “Family Routines and Rituals: A Context for Development in the Lives of Young Children” suggests that routines can serve as opportunities for skill development in addition to forming family bonds and promoting closeness.

Benefits of Routines for Kids on the Spectrum

Routines can provide a sense of structure and predictability that can help alleviate anxiety and improve overall well-being. Let’s explore the benefits of routines for individuals with autism.

• Predictability: Routines provide a sense of predictability and structure, which can help reduce anxiety and uncertainty. Knowing what to expect and when can help individuals with autism feel more secure and in control.
• Improved Transitions: Individuals with autism often struggle with transitions between activities or environments. Routines help create a smooth transition by providing a precise sequence of steps and expectations.
• Independence: Habits promote independence by breaking down tasks into manageable steps. By following a routine, individuals with autism can develop skills and become more self-reliant in completing daily activities.
• Communication and Social Skills: Structured activities can help people with autism practice and develop important communication and social skills. During mealtime, for instance, they can learn how to request food, use good table manners, and engage in conversation.
• Time Management: Following a consistent schedule can be highly beneficial for people with autism. By doing so, they can develop a better sense of time and improve their time management skills, leading to more efficient use of their time and better performance in various activities and tasks.

Please note that it’s vital to customize routines to fulfill the specific requirements and preferences of each child. It’s also essential to include flexibility to adapt to unforeseen changes or events.

Parents Can Help Their Children Create Routines

Parents play a crucial role in fostering a sense of structure and routine for their children, particularly those with autism. Active participation in creating and implementing routines not only establishes a predictable environment but also contributes significantly to the child’s understanding and adherence to daily activities. You can follow the next ten strategies:

1. Understand Needs and Preferences: Identify the specific needs and preferences of your child. Observe and take note of sensory sensitivities, communication preferences, and areas of interest.
2. Visual Schedule: Create a visual schedule with clear, simple language for wake-up, bedtime, dinner, playtime, and the routines you need are necessary. Autism Speaks provides a helpful guide for parents.
3. Segment the Day: Break the day into manageable segments to facilitate a structured routine. You can allocate specific times for meals, educational activities, play, and rest. This segmentation not only provides a clear outline for the day but also helps neurodiverse children grasp the structure and expectations, contributing to a more organized and predictable routine.
4. Sensory Breaks: Incorporate sensory breaks tailored to the child’s sensory preferences. If your child finds comfort in deep pressure, consider including a sensory break with activities like squeezing a stress ball or using a weighted blanket.
5. Flexibility: Acknowledge and allow for flexibility in the routine, recognizing that some days may be different. If unexpected events or changes occur, be open to adjusting the schedule accordingly.
6. Autonomy: Provide choices within the routine to promote a sense of independence for the child. For instance, during mealtime, offer the child options for what to eat, allowing them to choose between a few pre-approved food items.
7. Clear Communication: Use precise language and visual supports like social stories to explain changes or upcoming events.
8. Interest-Based Activities: Integrate activities aligned with the child’s interests to make the routine engaging. For example, if your child has an interest in art, you can add a creative session into the routine where they can draw, paint, or engage in craft activities.
9. Effective Communication: Ensure effective communication to aid the child in understanding and preparing for transitions. An example of effective communication could involve using clear verbal cues or visual supports to signal upcoming changes.
10. Positive Reinforcement: Reinforce positive behavior and celebrate successes to motivate adherence to the routine. You can offer praise or a small reward when your child completes a task successfully.

ABA Therapy Enhances Skills

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy is a systematic and evidence-based approach that proves beneficial in supporting individuals, especially those with neurodiverse conditions, in developing routines and essential skills. ABA therapists employ a comprehensive assessment to understand an individual’s current behaviors, strengths, and areas that require attention. Based on this assessment, ABA therapists create specific and measurable goals related to routines and skills, considering the unique needs of the individual.

The therapy breaks down complex routines or skills into smaller, manageable steps. It systematically instructs individuals to learn each step sequentially, ensuring a thorough understanding before progressing to the next phase. Positive reinforcement plays a fundamental role in this process, where the therapy rewards desired behaviors to motivate individuals to repeat these positive actions.

ABA therapy emphasizes generalization, aiming to transfer newly acquired skills across different settings and contexts. Additionally, it addresses behavior reduction by identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviors and implementing strategies to replace them with more appropriate alternatives.

Family involvement is an essential part of ABA. To ensure consistency, parents and caregivers should implement what therapists teach during therapy sessions to promote and nourish skill development. This collaborative approach enhances the overall effectiveness of interventions and supports the individual in applying learned skills in their daily life.

ABA Centers of New Jersey Helps Your Child Grow

In conclusion, autism routines help your child navigate daily everyday activities more effectively, from brushing their teeth to going to bed. Routines, along with ABA therapies, reinforce positive behaviors, improve communication skills, and enable greater independence.

Your child can experience a better quality of life through our scientifically proven approach. Families in Woodstown, Trenton, Paterson, and other cities in the New Jersey community rely on ABA Centers of New Jersey for our exceptional services. Call us at (855) 640-7888 or request a free consultation to get started. The best advice is just a phone call away.