How Do I Help My Autistic Child Transition from Routine to Routine?

Children with Autism find transition and change much more difficult than others. Some may even break down or throw a tantrum to avoid this transition. Teaching a child with Autism how to handle these transition periods appropriately may be very difficult, and may take a lot of time and energy. A very helpful tool I use is a Picture Schedule.

Making a picture scheduleis easy, and takes no more than a half an hour of your time. This is a small sacrifice to make for the help this simple tool can provide.

Materials Needed: A Computer and a printer

Step One: Think of a time of day in which your child struggles with the most. On a piece of paper, list each action the child participates in during this time of the day. For example, say you are making a picture schedule to help your child transition from waking up to going to school. You would write something like "Wake up, get dressed, go downstairs, eat breakfast, make bed, etc. Make sure to include even the smallest step, and consult your child to make sure you are not leaving anything out. Keep in mind that you may need to make many Picture schedules to include every routine in your child's day.

Step Two: Log onto a computer and opena word processor. Create a two column table, with as many rows as steps you have come up with. In the left column, list each step.

Step Three: Search for pictures to place into your picture schedule. Find one picture for each step. These pictures can be found online, or trough clipart. Place your pictures in the right column, matching the pictures with the corresponding step. Consult with your child again; making sure that the schedule meets your child's approval.

Step Four: Print your picture schedule out in full color. If possible, laminate the schedule. Place the schedule in an easy to see place in the area in which your child will be when going through the routine the picture schedule is depicting.

As stated before, a few picture schedules will be needed to encompass your child's whole schedule. You may have four or five schedules posted on your walls throughout the house. When your child is having trouble during a difficult transition period, point out the picture schedule. Use positive reinforcement as much as possible. You will notice a difference in as little as a week.

Sources: http://www.ehow.com/how_2306537_create-picture-schedule-autistic-children.html