Many people on the Autism Spectrum prefer to have a consistent and predictable schedule. I know I certainly feel this way, and I am considered neuro-typical. I definitely want to know what is going to happen each day when I wake up and to have the events of the day noted on my calendar well in advance.
So what happens to students on the spectrum (and all the rest of the kids!) when school is out and all routine is thrown out? Chaos. Meltdowns. Tears. Tantrums.
I have heard from parents this summer how they and their child can not wait for school to start! Instead of counting down the days until school is in session, there are ways to make your life more pleasant.
1)Start by creating a schedule for each week the week before. This will give you time to go over the schedule with your child, make a visual schedule, or enter the activities into their iPod or electronic calendar.
2)Try to make the schedule fairly consistent from week to week. For example make Mondays always a swim day, Tuesdays library day, Wednesdays picnic day, Thursdays museum day, and Fridays play date day.
3) Set a summer bedtime and wake up time. This will keep the kids on a regular schedule for sleep, which in general is helpful to everyone.
4) Provide healthy meals and snacks. In the summer it is easy to get off track and allow kids too many treats and fast foods. Stick to their normal foods and meal times.
All of these tips can make summer better (or at least bearable!) and also help significantly with the transition back to school.
Check back soon for back to school transition tips!
