montgomeryDK102 - Routine and Schedule Ideas

It is very important to create a visual schedule or routine at home. This will help every one in your house be on the same page. Here are some ideas and tips. You can get Boardmaker Pictures online, but I have found it is easier, just as effective and often more meaningful to our children, when we draw out our routines, expectations and explanations with them.

Here is a schedule to use for Getting Ready for School.

Getting Ready for School Chart Picture Symbols.pdf

Getting Ready for School Chart.pdf

These are some other examples of different routines and schedules. Start with a bedtime routine. This will help with sleep. Then add a morning routine. Finally add the daytime routine.

https://littlemagerhouse.com/kids-daily-routine-printable/

https://truropreschool.org/2018/09/28/helping-your-kids-with-their-daily-routines/

First-Then

When creating a routine or schedule, it is important to balance things that a child likes with things that a child does not like. I usually tell myself that if I finish my work, I can have a coffee and read as a reward. This is the concept of First-Then.

You do not need to print or use fancy pictures. You can draw a routine using stick figures. For example, this is the bedtime routine. Bath-Read-Sleep

Use a timer for the screen time or an activity that your child has trouble stopping. Do not give more time then you have set, even if your son/daughter tantrums. I know that this is hard, but if you give in, it is confusing for your son/daughter and it will make things harder for you next time.

CanPlan - a task manager appA memory aid designed for the iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad that breaks down any task into a sequence of steps, using photos, audio and text.

Showing Changes

Most of our students do not understand and become upset with changes in routine. This means that when the weather gets colder, or hotter the children have to get used to a different routine. To help them, I will draw out what is happening and why. I want to show you that it does not require any expensive program like Boardmaker, nor any skill as a drawer. Please try this at home!

Example 1:

As I drew, I said:

Too hot. No coats. Snow pants - yes. Boots - yes. Big playground has puddles. No big playground. Small playground.

The students will not understand what this means the first time. But over time, it will help them adjust to change by being able to see what is happening paired with a few words.

Example 2:

Too cold. No outside. Gym in lobby. No snow pants. No coat. No boots

Calendar

We use the calendar every day at school. It is a very important tool to show your child what is happening and when changes occur.

For example, if there is no school you could draw a bus and a line on it.

You can also write when Mom and Dad are working, so your child knows who is home with them. Then if there is a change in the schedule, cross it out and write what is happening instead.

Hang the calendar on the fridge so that everyone can see it. Make it a part of the routine to look at the calendar every morning and every night. This will help your child understand what is happening around them and feel safe and calmer.

You can print a yearly calendar from this website https://www.calendar-12.com/printable_calendar/2023

STAR Autism Support Overview and Training Videos around developing a routine at home.