Family Schedules: Setting Up Routines for Your Asperger's Syndrome Child

Children with Asperger's Syndrome thrive on routines and schedules. Aspies don't like change or surprises, which is why they generally do best in a structured environment. While it takes some willpower on your part, making a family schedule will help the time your child spends at home be more successful.

Pros to making a family schedule for your Asperger's child

Your child with Asperger's Syndrome needs structure. He needs to know what to expect and when to expect it. If you set forth a scheduled routine, you will experience fewer arguments with your Aspie, and you'll be able to fit in all the necessary tasks while setting aside family bonding time.

The family schedule will also help the other members of your family as well, for the same reasons.

Cons to making a family schedule for your Asperger's child

Depending on your Aspie, making a family schedule could cause your child with Asperger's Syndrome to fixate on the times and cause meltdowns if the schedule isn't strictly adhered to.

If your Asperger's child can't be flexible, then it's best to set up a general routine rather than a timed schedule.

Step One to Making a Family Schedule: Determine a time frame

The first step to setting up a structured routine for your Asperger's child is to figure out the time frame. I work during the day, and we generally get home around 5:45 p.m. My Aspie's bedtime is 10 p.m., so my time frame for scheduling is 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.

On the weekends, the family schedule starts at "wake up" and ends at bedtime.

Step Two to Making a Family Schedule: Determine the tasks

Next you need to figure out what you and your family need to get accomplished during that time frame. Are there chores that need doing? Homework? Meals? Showers? Write down everything you will need to schedule in and approximately how long each task will take.

Step Three to Making a Family Schedule: Start scheduling

Start scheduling in the easiest tasks: meals. If you have lunch at noon and supper at six, write that down. Block out the time it will take to eat and clean up afterward.

The next step to making a routine for your Asperger's child is to write in bedtimes and schedule in the time it takes to get ready for bed.

Now you can fill in the blanks and schedule in time for chores, homework, baths, etc. Don't forget to include some free time for your Aspie to relax and do something enjoyable.

My Family Schedule

Here is what my family schedule looks like during the week. My Aspie can handle specific times for tasks without becoming fixated on them, so I created a timed schedule.

6 p.m. - Homework, free time, cook supper

7 p.m. - Eat supper

7:30 p.m. - Clean up supper, do dishes

8 p.m. - Daughter's shower time, son's free time

8:30 p.m. - Clean up living room

9 p.m. - Daughter's bedtime, son's shower time

10 p.m. - Son's bedtime

Because our days differ so much on the weekends when I don't work and there's no school, we have a separate weekend schedule too. The family weekend schedule includes time for Saturday morning cartoons or Sunday school, meals, chores, and free time.