How to build and use structured routines to support daily living skills, at home or when living independently. Suitable for both children and teens.
STRUCTURED ROUTINES
Many children, and especially many autistic children, feel calmer and more confident when life is stable and predictable. One of the most effective ways to provide this stability is through structured routines. Routines offer numerous benefits for children’s physical, emotional, and cognitive development, and they can make your life as a parent smoother too!
In this handout, we explore why structured routines matter for children and share tips on how to set them up and keep them going.
How to use this with your child: pick one part of the day that often feels hard, such as getting ready in the morning or bedtime. Break it into a few simple steps and show each step with a picture. Go through the routine together at first, pointing to each picture as you go, and let your child tick off or move each step when it’s done. Keep the routine the same for a week or two before adding more, and build in choices where you can (which pajamas, which book) so your child feels in charge. If a step keeps causing distress, change the step, not the child.
