Suggestions from
Behavior Specialists

Routines for Home

1. Keep routines as consistent as possible

2. Set up a daily visual schedule/Use pictures and words and make it vertical and cross off or remove each activity from the schedule as it is completed.

3. Set up a schedule from awakening until lunch then at lunch, set up a schedule from after lunch until dinner; then from after dinner until bedtime

4. Break your schedule into small increments (e.g. 15 minute blocks of times)

5. It is easiest to fill in some “anchors” first (e.g. breakfast/lunch)—then just fill in the times in between.

6. Intersperse active activities throughout the day—if cannot go outside then inside physical activities (Go Noodle is great for this)

7. As much as possible, put less preferred activities before most preferred activities on the schedule. If there are preferred activities, put them into the schedule multiple times so that your child can see they will get to do them again.

8. Set up for time playing with someone and time playing alone

9. Follow a regular bedtime routine (e.g. washing/brushing/ shower or bath/PJs on/use toilet/story/sleep)

Use a Time Timer for activities so your child knows when it will be over. Provide a transitional warning (e.g. 1 minute and then it will be time for _____--as you show them on schedule)

Provide high rates of specific positive feedback and praise for e.g. following directions and sitting down/playing /brushing teeth/eating lunch, etc.