In a recent facebook poll we asked: With your neurotypical child, or child with an Autism Spectrum Disorder, what do you struggle with most in the morning? The majority answered that they struggle the most with either “Getting out the Door on Time” or “Having the Kids Dress Themselves Independently”. Read on for ways to make both these struggles a thing of the past!
Winter Gear on and Out the Door: How to make the morning winter gear routine quicker and easier
Winter is upon us and that means getting the kids (and ourselves) all bundled up before we leave the house. As if getting to school on time was easy when the weather was nice! Here are some tips to make your bundling routine smoother and your exit quicker.
1. Make the routine VISUAL
- As kids often get distracted while doing a multiple step task, making the winter gear routine into a visual list will help keep kids on track.
Now, without the visual, your kiddo is learning that you will remind him “What do you need now?” or “Please get your hat” about five times before you will get frustrated. So subconsciously he has learned that he can dawdle until about reminder number five.
2. Set a TIMER
- Again, this will help keep your kiddos on track and avoid distraction. Making the winter gear routine into a race that everyone can win by beating the timer, is a great way to motivate efficiency. I highly recommend the visual time timer. It can be ordered from amazon.com.
3. Positively REINFORCE the completion of the winter gear routine.
- Write or put a picture of the reinforcer that will be earned for completing the winter gear routine before the timer goes off all by himself with kind words. The reinforcer must be given immediately after the winter gear routine is complete and you’re walking out the door.
Some suggestions are:
- Getting to choose the music to listen to in the car
- A new book on tape to listen to in the car
- A quick edible treat
By making a VISUAL to remind kiddos what steps they need to do, using a timer to increase efficiency, and positive reinforcement to motivate completion, your kids may be ready to walk out the door before you are!
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