Navigating the world of autism can often feel like a journey filled with both challenges and discoveries. To support you on this path, we’ve curated a collection of Tip Sheets, designed to empower you with knowledge and practical advice. Whether you’re looking to enhance your child’s fine motor skills, seeking strategies for coping with events, or simply aiming to understand your child’s world a bit better, our resources are here to guide you.
Daily Living Skills & Routines
1. Preparation and Communication
- Explain the Routine: Use simple, clear language or visual aids to explain the steps of the bathing or showering routine. These could be pictures of each step or the physical object that represents each step (e.g., bubble bath bottle for bubbles, shampoo bottle for washing hair and towel for transition out).
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about bath time, detailing each step of the process.
- Explain the “Whys”: Let your child know why bathing is an important self care routine and how it helps them stay healthy.
2. Familiarization
- Explore the Bathroom: Allow your child to explore the bathroom and become familiar with the bath or shower area when it’s not in use.
- Introduce Bath Toys: Use bath toys to make the environment more inviting and fun.
- Offer Choices: Offer different types of toys, bubbles, coloured soaps, scent options for children to make choices and feel a sense of control in the routine.
- Sensory Considerations
- Water Temperature: Ensure the water is at a comfortable temperature. Let your child test it with their hand first.
- Bathing Alternatives: Consider alternatives like a shower if your child prefers it, or sponge baths if the sensation of water is overwhelming.
- Start Small: Begin with short baths or showers and gradually increase the time as your child becomes more comfortable.
- Partial Bathing: Start by washing one part of the body at a time, giving breaks as needed.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favourite toy or comfort item into the bath.
3. Create a Routine
- Establish Consistency: Bathe at the same time each day to build a consistent routine. Use the same bathroom, the same order of events, and the same products to bathe your child. Knowing what to expect is key to comfort in the routine.
- Visual Schedule: Use a visual schedule to outline the steps of the bathing process. Place it in the bathroom for reference. You can use products as a visual object schedule. Place the shampoo, conditioner, soap etc. in the order they’ll be used.
- Songs and Games: Sing songs or play games during bath time to make it more enjoyable.
- Bath Crayons: Use bath crayons or foam letters to engage your child during the bath.
Additional Tips
- Use Gentle Products: Choose gentle, unscented bath products to avoid overwhelming scents.
- Communicate and Validate: Acknowledge your child’s feelings and let them know it’s okay to feel anxious or uncomfortable.
- Stay Calm and Patient: Your calm demeanour can help your child feel more at ease.
Conclusion
Making a bathing or showering routine more regulating for an Autistic child involves understanding their sensory needs and preferences, and using a combination of preparation, consistency, and choice. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will help create a more comfortable and enjoyable bathing experience.
1. Preparation and Communication
- Explain the Process: Use visual aids such as pictures or videos to explain the steps of tooth brushing. Ensure the child understands the sequence. Explain to your child why brushing teeth is important without using fear of visiting the dentist as a motivator. Let them know this is an important way they can take care of their body.
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about brushing teeth, detailing each step of the process.
2. Familiarization
- Explore the Tools: Let your child handle and explore the toothbrush, toothpaste, and any other items used in the process. Consider using a vibrating chew toy to help desensitize and familiarize the child with the sensation.
- Use a Mirror: Allow your child to watch themselves in the mirror while exploring the tools. This can help them get used to the idea of brushing their teeth.
3. Sensory Considerations
- Choose the Right Toothbrush: Select a toothbrush with soft bristles and an easy-to-grip handle. Consider an electric toothbrush if the vibration helps.
- Flavour and Texture: Experiment with different toothpaste flavours and textures to find one that your child likes. Give choices to support your child feeling a sense of control in the routine.
- Breaks and Comfort: Allow for breaks if your child becomes overwhelmed, and use comfort items to help them relax.
4. Create a Routine
- Establish a Routine: Brush at the same times every day in the same environment and with the same equipment and products to build a consistent routine. Use a visual schedule to outline the tooth brushing process.
- Use a Timer: Use a visual timer or a favourite song to signal the duration of brushing.
5. Modelling and Imitation
- Demonstrate: Brush your own teeth in front of your child to demonstrate the process.
- Imitate Together: Encourage your child to imitate your actions.
6. Interactive Techniques
- Use Apps or Videos: Use interactive apps or videos designed to teach children how to brush their teeth.
- Make It Fun: Turn tooth brushing into a game or a fun activity to increase engagement.
7. Adaptive Tools
- Try Adaptive Tools: Use adaptive tools such as toothbrushes with built-in timers, silicone finger brushes, or mouth props to aid the process.
Additional Tips
- Use Gentle Pressure: Apply gentle pressure when brushing to avoid discomfort.
- Encourage Independence: Allow your child to hold the toothbrush and attempt brushing themselves, even if they need assistance.
- Stay Calm and Patient: Your calm demeanour can help your child feel more at ease.
Conclusion
Supporting an autistic child with brushing their teeth is an important life skill for their hygiene and health. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs and preferences will help make the process more manageable and positive.
Autistic children and adults often experience sleep issues such as difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking up too early. These problems can be due to sensory sensitivities, emotional regulation, irregular sleep patterns, comorbid sleep disorders and other factors.
1. Consistent Bedtime Routine
- Create a Regular Schedule: Establish a consistent bedtime and wake-up time, even on weekends.
- Offer Calming Activities: Engage in calming pre-sleep activities like deep pressure hugs, or rocking, a warm bath, reading a book or listening to soothing music. (exercise, stretching, fresh air?)
- Use a Visual Schedule: Use a visual schedule to help the individual understand and anticipate the bedtime routine. This could be pictures of the steps of the bedtime routine, or physical objects like the bubble bath bottle for bath, a stuffed animal for bed time.
- Gradual Transition: If transitioning to a new sleep schedule, do so gradually by adjusting the bedtime in small increments.
2. Sleep Environment
- Comfortable Bed: Ensure the mattress and pillows are comfortable.
- Cool and Dark Room: Keep the bedroom cool, dark, and quiet. Consider blackout curtains and white noise machines if necessary.
- Minimal Distractions: Remove or reduce sensory stimuli such as electronic devices, bright lights, and loud noises.
- Sleep Associations: Help the individual associate the bed with sleep by limiting non-sleep activities in bed.
3. Sensory Considerations
- Weighted Blankets: Use weighted blankets or stretchy sheets if the individual finds them calming.
- Comfort Objects: Allow the use of comfort objects like a favourite stuffed animal or blanket.
- Appropriate Pyjamas: Choose pyjamas that are comfortable and free from irritating tags or seams.
4. Diet and Exercise
- Limit Stimulants: Avoid caffeine and sugary foods, especially in the afternoon and evening.
- Regular Exercise: Encourage regular physical activity, but avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime.
5. Technology Management
- Screen Time: Limit screen time at least an hour before bed. Blue light from screens can interfere with melatonin production.
- Blue Light Filters: Use blue light filters on devices if screen time cannot be avoided before bed.
6. Medical Consultation
- Professional Help: Consult with a healthcare provider to rule out underlying medical conditions that might be affecting sleep.
- Medication Review: Review any medications with a doctor to see if they might be interfering with sleep.
Conclusion
Improving sleep for autistic individuals requires a comprehensive approach that addresses their unique sensory, behavioural, and medical needs. With patience and persistence, implementing these strategies can lead to better sleep and overall well-being.
Play & Engagement
1. Understanding Visual Supports
- Definition: Visual supports are tools or aids that use visual information to enhance communication, comprehension, and independence.
- Purpose: They help individuals express their needs, understand expectations, and navigate daily routines more effectively.
2. Types of Visual Supports
- Picture Symbols: Utilize picture symbols or icons to represent objects, actions, and concepts.
- Visual Schedules: Create schedules using pictures or symbols to outline daily activities and routines.
- Choice Boards: Offer options visually to allow children to make choices (e.g., snack choices, activity choices).
- Social Stories: Use sequential pictures or photographs to explain social situations, or upcoming events.
3. Benefits of Visual Supports
- Enhanced Understanding: Visuals provide concrete representations that are easier for individuals to comprehend compared to verbal instructions alone.
- Promote Independence: Support independence by helping individuals initiate communication, make choices, and follow routines more autonomously.
- Reduce Anxiety: Visual supports can reduce anxiety by providing predictability and clarity about upcoming events.
4. Using Visual Supports Effectively
- Start Small: Introduce one or two visuals at a time to ensure your child understands their purpose and how to use them.
- Consistency: Keep visuals consistent in appearance and placement to establish routines and familiarity.
- Accessibility: Ensure visuals are easily accessible and visible in relevant environments (e.g., home, school, community outings).
5. Creating and Implementing Visuals
- Personalize: Tailor visuals to your child’s specific needs, interests, and developmental level.
- Use Clear Images: Use clear, simple images or photographs that accurately represent the intended message or concept.
- Teach Use: Teach your child how to use visuals by modelling and practicing together, supporting their understanding through repetition.
6. Encourage Independence
- Empower Decision-Making: Use choice boards and visual schedules to empower your child to make decisions and navigate their day independently.
- Support Transitioning: Use visuals to prepare your child for transitions between activities or changes in routine, reducing anxiety and promoting smooth transitions.
Conclusion
Visual supports play a crucial role in supporting communication and enhancing understanding for Autistic children. By incorporating visuals into daily routines, activities, and social interactions, you can empower your child to communicate effectively, make choices independently, and navigate their environment with greater confidence and success. Tailor the use of visuals to fit your child’s unique needs and preferences to maximize their communication skills and overall development.
1. Understanding Object-Based Visuals
- Definition: Object-based visuals are concrete representations of objects, activities, or concepts using real-life objects, miniature objects, or photographs.
- Purpose: They help Autistic children understand routines, expectations, and transitions by providing clear visual cues.
2. Types of Object-Based Visuals
- Objects: Use actual objects or miniature replicas to represent activities or items, such as a toothbrush for brushing teeth or a spoon for mealtime.
- Photographs: Take pictures of specific objects, places, or steps in a sequence to create visual schedules or task prompts.
- Symbols: Utilize picture symbols or icons that represent objects or actions in a simplified visual form.
3. Benefits of Object-Based Visuals
- Concrete Representation: They offer a tangible and concrete way to communicate expectations and activities.
- Visual Clarity: Provide clear, consistent visual cues that are easier for Autistic children to understand than verbal instructions.
- Promote Independence: Support independence by helping children follow routines and complete tasks more autonomously.
4. Using Object-Based Visuals Effectively
- Create Visual Schedules: Develop daily schedules using objects or photographs to outline activities in sequence (e.g., wake up, brush teeth, eat breakfast).
- Task Breakdown: Break down tasks into smaller steps using object representations to guide your child through each stage (e.g., dressing with visual cues of each clothing item).
- Behavioural Expectations: Use visuals to show expected behaviours in different settings (e.g., a picture of sitting quietly during circle time).
5. Implementation Tips
- Consistency: Keep visuals consistent in appearance and placement to establish routines and familiarity.
- Accessibility: Ensure visuals are easily accessible and visible to your child in relevant environments (e.g., bedroom, bathroom, classroom).
Conclusion
Object-based visuals are powerful tools for supporting communication, understanding, and independence in Autistic children. By incorporating these visuals into daily routines and activities, you can enhance your child’s ability to navigate their environment, follow routines, and engage in learning and social interactions. Tailor the use of visuals to fit your child’s unique needs and preferences for optimal support and success.
1. Preparation and Communication
- Consider Compatibility: Select a playmate who has a similar temperament and interests. It’s helpful if the playmate understands and is accepting of your child’s needs or has similar play and engagement styles. Consider the regulation and sensory profile of each child.
- Meet Beforehand: Arrange a short meeting with the playmate and their parents beforehand to ensure compatibility.
2. Location and Environment
- Familiar Setting: Host the play date in a familiar and safe environment, such as your home or a familiar park.
- Prepare the Environment: Remove potential triggers and ensure the play area is sensory-friendly.
3. Activities and Structure
- Visual Schedule: Create a visual schedule outlining the sequence of activities for the play date.
- Determine What Kind of Play is Best Fit: Do the children both like physical play like climbing or swinging? The park may be a good fit for that kind of play. Do the children both like a certain board game? This may be a good fit for activity choice.
- Plan Some Structured Activities: Choose activities that have clear rules and structure, like board games, puzzles, or building blocks. These are easier to structure with turns and have a clear beginning, middle and end.
- Plan Some Unstructured Activities: Choose activities like sensory play, movement games or open ended exploration of toys like magnet tiles. Kids can engage in parallel play or constructive play as they are able to.
- Plan Proactive Breaks: Offer a space or activities that offer sensory and regulation support.
- Limit Choices: Offer a few choices of activities to avoid overwhelming your child.
4. Social Skills Support
- Model Social Skills: Demonstrate different social interactions, such as taking turns and sharing. Offer reminders on the different roles within play (e.g., modelling what the cashier’s role is and what the customer’s role is when playing store).
- Use Social Scripts: Prepare and practice simple social scripts for common interactions, like greetings and turn taking language.
5. Sensory Considerations
- Sensory Tools: Have sensory tools available, such as fidget toys or noise-cancelling headphones, to help your child self-regulate.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to have a favourite comfort item nearby.
6. Manage Expectations
- Set Clear Expectations: Explain to your child how long the play date will last and what they can expect to happen.
- Plan for Breaks: Schedule breaks during the play date to give your child time to decompress.
7. Communication With the Other Parent
- Discuss Needs and Preferences: Communicate with the other parent about your child’s needs, preferences, and any potential triggers.
Additional Tips
- Start Small: Begin with short play dates and gradually increase the duration as your child becomes more comfortable.
- Stay Close: Stay nearby to provide support and intervene if necessary, but give your child space to interact independently.
- Flexibility: Be prepared to adapt the plan if your child becomes overwhelmed or the activities aren’t working as expected.
Conclusion
Planning successful play dates for Autistic children involves understanding their needs and preferences, and using a combination of preparation, structure, and responding to regulation needs. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will help create enjoyable and beneficial social experiences.
1. Build Trust and Connection
- Consistent Routine: Establish a predictable routine to create a sense of security.
- Follow the Child’s Lead: Observe and join in activities your child is naturally drawn to, showing genuine interest in their preferences. They may be playing with something in a way that looks or feels different than you have seen before, their play style is valid and should not be disrupted. E.g., If your child is lining up cars, try lining them up beside them (cars don’t always have to be used to drive on roads or down ramps!).
- Imitate the Child: Try getting into your child’s world by imitating the way they are engaging with a toy or object.
2. Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment
- Minimize Sensory Overload: Think about your child’s sensory profile. Reduce noise, dim bright lights, and eliminate strong smells based on their needs.
- Sensory Tools: Provide sensory input equipment and toys, fidget tools, or weighted blankets to help your child self-regulate.
3. Incorporate Interests
- Use Activities of Interest: Incorporate your child’s interests into learning and play activities to increase engagement. Adding components like sensory, movement and music can help the child engage.
- Consider Characters and Cartoons of Interest: Develop activities around themes your child enjoys, such as animals, vehicles, or favourite characters.
4. Interactive Play
- Joint Attention: Practice activities that encourage joint attention, such as looking at books together or playing with interactive toys. Get on your child’s level to make it easier for them to share their attention and interaction with you.
- Animation: Offer animated facial expressions and gestures paired with sing-song language and repetitive phrases like (‘ready set go’ & ‘up, up, up’).
- Turn-Taking Games: Engage in simple turn-taking games like rolling a ball back and forth or taking turns stacking blocks and crashing them.
5. Communication Strategies
- Simple Language: Use clear, concise language to communicate with your child.
- Non-Verbal Cues: Utilize gestures, facial expressions, and body language to support verbal communication.
Conclusion
Early engagement strategies for Autistic children involve creating a supportive, sensory-friendly environment, using visual supports, incorporating their interests, and being responsive to their interests and reactions. By tailoring these strategies to your child’s unique needs and preferences, you can foster positive interactions and support their developmental progress.
Preparing for Appointments
1. Preparation and Communication
- Gather Information as Needed: Call the front desk of the dentist office to talk with them about planning for the visit. It may be helpful to have a plan to wait in the car until the dentist is ready, then transition right into the dental chair. Ask the dental office if they can take pictures of the space to share with you.
- Communicate with the Dentist: Share information about your child’s needs, sensitivities, and preferences with the dental office beforehand. Make the objective of your visit clear. If your priority is X rays or a cleaning above all else ask that it be done first.
- Request Specific Accommodations: Ask for accommodations like a longer appointment time, breaks if needed, or a specific time of day that suits your child best. Ask that they have all of the equipment set up prior to your child entering the room.
2. Familiarization
- Visit the Dentist’s Office: If possible, arrange a visit to the dentist’s office before the actual appointment. Let your child explore the environment and meet the dentist. (In Alberta, this is often referred to as a “Happy Visit”.)
- Explain the Visit: Talk to your child about the dentist visit well in advance. Use simple, clear language to explain what will happen. Explain why visiting the dentist is important and that they’re helping take care of their body by seeing a dentist regularly.
- Incorporate Dentist Stories into Play, Videos and Books: Watch cartoons about going to the dentist, read books about the dentist and practice going to the dentist in pretend play or play with toys.
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about a trip to the dentist, detailing each step of the visit and what supports are available to the child ahead of time.
- Practice at Home: Role-play a dentist visit at home. Use a toothbrush and a mirror to simulate the dentist checking teeth.
- Use a Favourite Toy: Practice the dentist visit on a favourite toy or stuffed animal to make the experience more relatable.
- Visual Schedule: Create a visual schedule that outlines the steps of the dentist visit. Show your child this schedule in advance and bring it to the appointment.
3. Sensory Considerations
- Prepare for Sensory Issues: Let the dental team know what sensory tools are helpful and ask for them to use things like the weighted X ray vest, sunglasses and noise cancelling headphones.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favourite toy, blanket, or comfort item to the appointment.
4. During the Appointment
- Stay Calm and Reassuring: Your calm demeanour can help your child feel more at ease.
- Use Simple Language: Encourage the dentist and staff to use simple, straightforward language and explain what they are doing step-by-step and be clear and truthful about the amount of time/steps left in the appointment (if you believe this will benefit your child).
- Offer Proactive Breaks: Make sure your child knows they can ask for a break, or offer them proactively to help keep them regulated during the appointment
- Short and Sweet: Keep the first few visits short to help your child get used to the experience.
Conclusion
With thoughtful preparation and communication, you can help your Autistic child have a positive and manageable experience at the dentist. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will further enhance their empowerment to successfully participate in these important self care routines.
1. Preparation and Communication
- Explain the Visit: Talk to your child about the doctor visit well in advance. Use simple, clear language to explain what will happen. Explain why visiting the doctor is important and that it’s part of taking care of their body.
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about a trip to the doctor, detailing each step of the visit.
- Visual Schedule: Create a visual schedule that outlines the steps of the doctor visit. Show your child this schedule in advance and bring it to the appointment.
2. Familiarization
- Visit the Doctor’s Office: If possible, arrange a visit to the doctor’s office before the actual appointment. Let your child explore the environment and meet the doctor.
- Show Pictures and Videos: Use books, pictures, and videos about doctor visits to help your child understand what to expect.
3. Role-Playing
- Practice at Home: Role-play a doctor visit at home. Use a toy stethoscope, thermometer, stepping on a scale and measuring height, and other medical tools to simulate the check-up.
- Use a Favourite Toy: Practice the doctor visit on a favourite toy or stuffed animal to make the experience more relatable.
4. Sensory Considerations
- Prepare for Sensory Issues: Bring noise-cancelling headphones if your child is sensitive to sound. Use sunglasses or a hat to reduce the impact of bright lights.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favourite toy, blanket, or comfort item to the appointment.
5. Communicate with the Doctor
- Inform the Doctor: Share information about your child’s needs, sensitivities, and preferences with the medical office beforehand. It may also be helpful to weigh and measure your child’s height in advance so you can go straight into the room.
- Request Specific Accommodations: Ask for accommodations like a longer appointment time, breaks if needed, or a specific time of day that suits your child best.
6. During the Appointment
- Stay Calm and Reassuring: Your calm demeanour can help your child feel more at ease.
- Use Simple Language: Encourage the doctor and staff to use simple, straightforward language and explain what they are doing step-by-step.
- Allow Participation: If appropriate, let your child hold medical instruments or participate in a small way to feel more in control.
- Short and Sweet: Keep the first few visits short to help your child get used to the experience.
Conclusion
With thoughtful preparation and communication, you can help your Autistic child have a positive and manageable experience at the doctor. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will further enhance their empowerment to participate in these important self care routines.
1.Preparation and Communication
- Explain the Haircut: Talk to your child about getting a haircut well in advance. Use simple, clear language to explain what will happen. Explain why getting a haircut is important and that this is part of taking care of their body. If possible, empower your child to choose the hair cut style.
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about a haircut, detailing each step of the process.
- Show Pictures and Videos: Use books, pictures, and videos about haircuts to help your child understand what to expect.
- Practice at Home: Role-play a haircut at home. Use a comb, spray bottle, and pretend scissors to simulate the haircut. If using an electric razor, start with short exposure to the sound, and show your child how it works on a parent if possible.
- Use a Favourite Toy: Practice the haircut on a favourite toy or stuffed animal to make the experience more relatable.
- Visit the Salon or Barber: If possible, visit the salon or barber shop before the appointment. Let your child explore the environment and meet the stylist or barber.
2. Sensory Considerations
- Prepare for Sensory Issues: Bring noise-cancelling headphones if your child is sensitive to sound. Use a towel or cape that your child is comfortable with to reduce sensory overload. Offer a vibrating wand or weighted lap pad to support sensory input. Bring a change of clothing or fresh t-shirt in case hair or water gets on your child’s shirt during the appointment.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to bring a favourite toy, blanket, or comfort item to the appointment.
3. Communicate with the Stylist/Barber
- Inform the Stylist/Barber: Share information about your child’s needs, sensitivities, and preferences with the stylist or barber beforehand.
- Request Specific Accommodations: Ask for accommodations like a quieter area, breaks if needed, or a specific time of day that suits your child best.
4. During the Haircut
- Stay Calm and Reassuring: Your calm demeanour can help your child feel more at ease.
- Use Simple Language: Encourage the stylist or barber to use simple, straightforward language and explain what they are doing step-by-step.
- Allow Participation: If appropriate, let your child hold a comb or spray bottle to feel more in control.
- Short and Sweet: Keep the first few haircuts short to help your child get used to the experience.
Conclusion
With thoughtful preparation and communication, you can help your Autistic child have a positive and manageable experience during a haircut. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will further enhance their empowerment to participate in these important self care routines.
Preparing for Change or New Routines
Summer can be a wonderful time for exploration, learning, and relaxation. However, the lack of routine and structure can be challenging for Autistic children. Proper planning and thoughtful activity selection can ensure a fun and engaging summer.
1. Maintain a Routine
- Consistent Schedule: Establish a daily routine to provide structure. Include regular wake-up, meal, and bedtimes.
- Visual Schedule: Use a visual schedule to outline daily activities. This helps your child know what to expect and reduces anxiety. This could be pictures of the activities, or physical objects that represent the activities.
2. Activity Selection
- Interest-Based Activities: Choose activities that align with your child’s interests, such as art, music, nature walks, or science experiments.
- Sensory-Friendly Options: Opt for activities that cater to your child’s sensory preferences, whether they enjoy tactile, visual, auditory, or proprioceptive input.
3. Skill Development
- Life Skills: Incorporate activities that promote independence and life skills, such as cooking simple meals, gardening, or personal hygiene routines.
- Social Skills: Plan activities that encourage social interaction, such as playdates with familiar peers, group sports, or social skills groups.
4. Outdoor Activities
- Nature Exploration: Spend time in nature with activities like hiking, picnicking, or visiting a botanical garden.
- Water Play: Engage in water play, such as swimming, water balloon games, or playing with a sprinkler.
5. Indoor Activities
- Creative Projects: Set up art and craft projects that your child can work on independently or with guidance.
- Quiet Time: Include quiet activities like puzzles, reading, or building with blocks to provide downtime.
6. Sensory Considerations
- Sensory Tools: Bring along sensory tools like fidget toys, weighted blankets, or noise-cancelling headphones during outings.
- Comfort Items: Allow your child to have comfort items, such as a favourite toy or blanket, to help them feel secure.
7. Plan Transitions
- Advance Notice: Prepare your child for transitions between activities by providing advance notice and using visual or verbal cues. Use familiar transition warning techniques as are used during the school year.
- Flexible Planning: Be flexible and ready to adapt plans based on your child’s mood and energy levels.
8. Community Programs
- Summer Camps: Explore local camps and programs, which offer structured and supportive environments for children. Contact your FSCD worker to explore additional funding for access to support for your child at summer camps.
- Library Events: Check out your local library for storytimes, craft sessions, or summer reading programs.
9. Health and Safety
- Stay Hydrated: Ensure your child stays hydrated, especially during outdoor activities.
- Sun Protection: Use sunscreen, hats, and appropriate clothing to protect against sunburn.
- Safety Measures: Teach and practice safety measures, such as staying close to a caregiver and recognizing safe places.
Conclusion
Planning summer activities for Autistic children involves balancing structure with fun and catering to their unique preferences and needs. With thoughtful planning, you can create a summer filled with enjoyable, engaging experiences for your child.
Travelling with Autistic children demands meticulous planning and consideration.
1. Visual Support
- Use Visual Aids: Start by preparing your child with visual aids, like social stories, to outline the journey step by step.
2. Consider What to Pack
- Pack Essential Items: Pack essential comfort items, sensory tools, and medications to ensure their well-being during travel.
- Bring Safe Foods: Travel with your child’s safe foods so you can assure they’ll have access to them no matter your destination.
- Create a Travel Toolkit: Anticipate sensory needs and create a travel toolkit with calming items such as fidget toys, change of clothes, or noise-cancelling headphones.
3. Plan Your Trip
- Stay Flexible: Stay flexible with your itinerary, allowing extra time for transitions and being patient with changes.
- Seek Autism-Friendly Options: Seek autism-friendly accommodations and activities at your destination to provide a supportive environment. Incorporate your child’s interests into your vacation plans such as visiting a museum or engaging in a motivating activity they’ll enjoy.
- Bring Safety Equipment: Be sure to travel with necessary safety and environment equipment such as door locks, familiar and comfortable flotation devices, GPS tracking equipment, light-blocking window shades, etc.
- Check Airline Policies: If flying, check which equipment is allowed on the plane and gate check. For example, some major airlines do not allow you to check a folding wagon. Your child may be more comfortable in their car seat on the plane, so check if your seat fits the regulations for the airline you’re travelling with.
- Maintain Routines: Stay connected with familiar supports and maintain consistent routines to help your child feel secure.
4. Preparing Your Child for Travel
- Participate in Airport Programs: If flying, consider participating in an “Autism Aviators” event beforehand so your child is familiar with the airport.
- Use Identifiers: You may also consider travelling with sunflower lanyards.
- Introduce Travel Through Books and Games: Read books and play games that introduce travel, especially the kind of travel you are doing (such as an airplane or in a car).
Conclusion
With careful preparation and patience, travelling with autistic children can be a rewarding experience for the whole family, creating lasting memories and fostering growth and development.
Starting a new school year can be an exciting and sometimes stressful time for children and their families. Proper preparation can ease the transition, reduce anxiety, and set the stage for a successful school year.
1. Establish a Routine
- Set a Consistent Schedule: Gradually transition to the school year routine a few weeks before school starts, including wake-up times, meal times, and bedtimes.
- Use a Daily Schedule: Use a visual daily schedule to help your child understand the sequence of daily activities. This could be a visual schedule with pictures or using physical objects to represent each routine.
- Prepare Transition Visuals and Objects: Help establish key visual supports that help your child understand what their schedule is and where they are going. For example, if they will be taking the bus to school, it may be helpful to have a schedule showing First, Ride the Bus, Then, Meet my Teacher in the Classroom. Or, having a small toy bus for the child to hold ahead of going to the bus stop to show them what is coming next.
2. School Familiarization
- School Visit: Arrange a visit to the school before the first day. Familiarize your child with the classroom, bathrooms, playground, and other spaces they may visit. Take pictures of these spaces during your visit to add to a daily schedule.
- Park Visit: Over the summer, it can be helpful to plan some trips to the school park, helping your child familiarize themselves with the play equipment and exposing them to the school environment.
- Meet the Teacher: If possible, show your child a picture of their teacher or other support staff over the summer in a social story or on your phone. Introduce your child to their teacher and key staff members.
3. Visual Supports
- Visual Calendar: Create a visual calendar that marks important dates and the countdown to the first day of school.
- Social Stories: Use social stories to explain what to expect during the school day, including routines, transitions, and social interactions.
- Share Videos and Books about Going to School: Watch cartoons and videos about going to school, read books that talk about going to school.
- Role-Playing: During play routines, incorporate different school scenarios, such as lining up, asking for help, and interacting with peers. Walk action figures or stuffed animals through the school routine or engage in school related pretend play.
4. Sensory Considerations
- Sensory Tools: Pack a bag with sensory tools that can help your child self-regulate, such as fidget toys, noise-cancelling headphones, or a weighted lap pad. Talk to your school team about what other tools they may have in the classroom or school.
5. Collaborate with the School
- IPP Review: Review and update your child’s Individualized Program Plan (IPP) or other relevant summary documents. Ensure goals and accommodations are current and relevant.
- All About Me: Share important information about your child’s needs and preferences. This could be done using a one page All About Me document.
- Communication Planning: Talk to your classroom team about the best ways to communicate important information. Sometimes a daily communication log is helpful to share things like how the child slept, if they have eaten or if they are feeling under the weather. It may be helpful to set up regular emails or meetings to connect periodically through the year as well.
Conclusion
With thoughtful preparation and support, the transition to a new school year can be a positive experience for Autistic children and their families. Implementing these strategies can help reduce anxiety, build confidence, and foster a successful school start.
1. Preparation and Communication
- Talk About the Party in Advance: Explain what a birthday party is and what to expect. Use simple and clear language.
- Watch Videos and Read Books: Watch videos or read books about birthday parties, this can be a low stress way to help your child see what to expect and peak their interest in attending.
- Create a Social Story: Develop a story with pictures and simple sentences about the party, detailing what will happen and what supports are available to the child throughout.
- Visit the Venue: If possible, visit the place where the party will be held. Familiarize the child with the environment.
2. Manage Expectations
- Set Expectations: Discuss how many people will be there, what kind of activities will take place, and the duration of the party.
- Role-Play Scenarios: Practice common social interactions that might occur at the party, like greeting others, saying “Happy Birthday,” and thanking the host. This could be done in pretend play routines or by having toys act out the birthday party in play.
3. Sensory Considerations
- Sensory-Friendly Clothing: Ensure your child wears comfortable clothing that doesn’t cause discomfort.
- Bring Sensory Tools: Pack noise-cancelling headphones, fidget toys, or any other sensory tools your child finds comforting.
- Regular Sensory Breaks: Plan to offer multiple proactive breaks throughout the birthday party. These events are exciting but can also be overwhelming, it’s helpful to provide the child with a quiet place to regulate or with sensory tools to support their regulation throughout.
4. Plan for Dietary Needs
- Check the Menu: Inquire about the food that will be served. Bring along safe alternatives if your child has dietary restrictions.
- Pack Favourite Snacks: Bring familiar snacks that your child likes in case they don’t like the party food.
5. Create a Safe Space
- Identify a Quiet Area: Find a quiet spot at the venue where your child can retreat if they feel overwhelmed.
- Bring a Comfort Item: Allow your child to bring a favourite toy or blanket for comfort.
6. Flexible Participation
- Explain It’s Okay to Take Breaks: Let your child know that it’s fine to take breaks and they don’t have to participate in every activity. Offer breaks throughout the schedule of the event.
- Plan an Early Exit: Be prepared to leave early if your child becomes too overwhelmed. Prepare for transition by giving transition warnings, offering transition objects like a snack or favourite toy.
- Communicate with the Host: Inform the host about your child’s needs and any potential accommodations that might help.
Conclusion
With careful preparation and understanding, you can help your Autistic child have a positive experience at a birthday party. Tailoring these tips to your child’s specific needs will further enhance their comfort and enjoyment.
Sensory and Regulation Support
Nature offers a rich tapestry of sensory experiences and opportunities for exploration and discovery, making it an ideal setting for meaningful family adventures. Navigating outdoor activities with Autistic children may present unique challenges, but with the right strategies and support, it can be a rewarding and enriching experience for the whole family.
- Plan Sensory-Friendly Activities: Choose outdoor activities that cater to your child’s sensory preferences and sensitivities. Consider activities like nature walks, sensory gardens, or visits to quiet natural spaces where your child can explore at their own pace.
- Incorporate Sensory Supports: Bring along sensory items like noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses, or fidget toys to help your child regulate their sensory experiences and feel more comfortable in outdoor environments.
- Encourage Exploration: Encourage your child to engage with nature through hands-on exploration and discovery. Point out interesting sights, sounds, and textures, and encourage them to interact with the natural world in their own way.
- Promote Physical Activity: Take advantage of outdoor spaces to promote physical activity and gross motor skills development. Activities like hiking, biking, or playing outdoor games can provide valuable opportunities for movement and exercise.
- Create a Nature Exploration Kit: Prepare a backpack with essential items for your outdoor adventure, such as a magnifying glass, binoculars, a journal for sketching or writing, and a field guide to local flora and fauna. Having these tools on hand can enhance your child’s engagement and curiosity in the natural world.
- Use Visual Supports: Visual supports, such as picture schedules, maps, and symbol cards, can help your child understand the sequence of outdoor activities and navigate unfamiliar environments more confidently. Consider creating a visual schedule of your nature outing to provide structure and predictability.
Conclusion
By embracing nature and incorporating these strategies into your outdoor adventures, you can create meaningful and memorable experiences for your autistic child while fostering a deeper connection with the natural world.
Encouraging physical activity in Autistic children is essential for their emotional regulation, focus, and overall well-being.
- Embrace Movement: Allow your child to move as needed. Movement helps with emotional regulation and can improve focus and participation.
- Provide Movement Breaks: Incorporate short, intense physical activity breaks throughout the day. Activities like running, jumping, or using a sensory room can help your child stay calm and focused.
- Adapt the Environment: Create a sensory-friendly space for physical activity. Use soft surfaces, subdued lighting, and minimize noise to make exercise more comfortable.
- Encourage Physical Activity: Despite challenges, find ways to keep your child active. Activities like walking, swimming, or using a home treadmill can be beneficial.
- Simplify Motor Tasks: Break down complex motor skills into smaller steps. Practice these steps repeatedly to help your child master them.
- Use Visual Supports: Provide visual instructions and cues to help your child understand and follow fitness routines.
- Be Flexible: Allow your child to participate at their own pace. Modify exercises and routines to suit their needs and abilities.
- Promote Team Sports: With the right support and understanding from coaches, team sports can be a positive experience. Use social stories and scripts to teach about winning and losing.
- Seek Professional Help: Work with occupational therapists, speech-language pathologists, and physical therapists to develop motor skills and ensure effective physical activity routines.
- Build Physical Literacy: Encourage regular practice and repetition. Be patient and persistent, as the benefits of physical activity for emotional regulation and overall health are significant.
Conclusion
Incorporating physical activity into the daily routine of autistic children offers substantial benefits for their emotional regulation, focus, and overall health. By embracing movement, providing structured breaks, adapting environments, and using visual supports, you can create a positive and engaging experience.