First Day of School

For many, this is the first day of school and a new school year filled with promise!

If you have ever worked or lived with a child with autism,  you know that structure is really important.  A schedule of the day's events, prepared in advance for the young one with autism, can help to eliminate many "shifting" or transition problems, as well as melt-down type behavior. Schedules are not only useful in the school setting but also at home.  A visual representation of the various "events" of the day is most helpful, as many of our children have language impairment.  Taking a picture of the child or a recognizable peer performing the activity or going through the "event' is even more helpful.  Often, cartoon representations are used with schedule-making, but it's important that these representations make as much sense as possible to the student.

In today's classroom, much busywork can often be found on the classroom walls or even hanging from the ceiling.  Frequently, although "cute", these things can be a huge distraction for children with limited attending ability.  Schedules can become lost in this sea of visual stimuli.  A child can't attend to the schedule if  his attention is often drawn away from it!

Sometimes, it's the little things that can make a big difference for kids with autism and Asperger's!