Days Off... Holidays, Family and Summer Vacation

Breaks from the regular routine can really be tough on the autistic kiddos. Most are so use to routine, that they have to learn how to vary from it. Even when trying to teach them that routines may vary, it can be cause for a meltdown or sensory overload. Our boys have gotten so use to their routine that they are literally bouncing off the walls when they don't have school, looking for the sensory input they are getting from school. Also, if they don't have ABA  on a day that there is no school, they are twice as lost. This usually results in us trying to keep them busy enough to give them the sensory inputs they need, which in turn tires them out enough to sleep through the night. (With the exception of going on vacation). Since all of their learning involves each aspect of life, (at some point or other) they are learning to communicate, motor skills, verbal skills (when able), education, and social skills. Our boys (for example) go to kindergarten for 5 hours a day, and then have ABA for 3 hours a day. When they are done, we do or best to practice any skills they have been working on. They work harder than they should have to just to get the basics. It breaks my heart, but at the same time, it is such a blessing to see any progress being made. Every time they look you in the eye or say something that you can actually understand, is cause for celebration.

This is an example of a PECS (Picture Exchange Communication System) daily schedule. Our boys use one at school for their daily routine (different icons of course), they take a pitcure from their schedule and match it to the area where they are suppose to be. At home we have yet to use a schedule, because in the last three years we have developed a pretty strict schedule already. This of course will be changing soon, as their routines change as they grow. We have already decided to follow their classroom schedule in which the match their picture to the schedule, then see what they / we will be doing. Velcro is used on the back of an icon and on a stationary board, or velcro strip, they can remove their icon as they begin the next thing on the list. When you set up the routine (either in the morning, or night before), you give your child(ren) the ability to establish some independence, which in turn of course builds self esteem.

Sometimes you can get your children to understand that they have a holiday or vacation coming up and can prepare them to do something special. Other times (like in our case), you have to wait until the day before to say they "have no school tomorrow" or "we're going to _____ today". Our boys have yet to understand the concept of time, some children with autism wll learn the general idea of time, others never do. Like children asking the age old question "are we there yet?" when going on a trip, the concept of how long until we get somewhere escapes them. Many parents I've talked to, read about, etc have incorporated the use of timers to give their children an idea of time.

                                                                  

With Thanksgiving tomorrow, and the boys off school all week, we have begun our morning with: breakfast, getting dressed, brushing teeth, running errands or taking a walk. For the Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday they have had ABA in the afternoon. This has helped to keep them relatively focused so far. What will be interesting, since they don't usually take afternoon naps, will be trying to keep them completely busy for the next four days. They won't understand going to Poppy's (grandfather's) house for a meal and football on tv. We will take some of their items to play with, familiar food that they eat, and interact with them as much as possible. We are very lucky to have my sister, her husband and their girls (which we have a special and close bond with) to help us keep the boys entertained and busy.

                                

May you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving! Be blessed and enjoy. If you have children on the spectrum, remember... breathe, stay calm and engaged, you are not alone!