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As parents to children with autism, getting through the mornings can be one of the most difficult
tasks. Children on the autism spectrum tend to have trouble with finishing tasks and
sequencing, which can cause them to feel confused and stressed out in the mornings. This can
lead your child to resort to screaming, pushing, and tantrums. All of which makes life more
difficult for parents. Here are our top 3 tips for making mornings easier for both you and your
child.
Set Regular Sleep and Wake-up Times
When it comes to children with autism, consistency is key. Setting regular times for going to
sleep and waking up can help your child feel more rested and secure. This helps them ease into
their days and get a full night of rest. Children with autism also tend to have difficutly falling and
staying asleep, but by having a regular schedule, their bodies will be used to getting the rest
they need.
Complete Activities in the Same Order
The best way to get through as many morning activities as you can, is to make them part of your
routine. Make sure to keep all the activities in the same order and try to stray from it as little as
possible. Children with autism tend to have difficulty understand the world and the logical order
of events. This makes it hard for them to go complete daily tasks such as brushing their teeth,
washing their face, and eating breakfast. Having your child complete these tasks out of order
could cause them to feel frustrated.
Create a Visual Schedule
One of the most effective ways to help children with autism is to show them visual models of
what they will have to do and when. Creating a visual schedule of their morning will help them
understand what is expected of them. You can create a visual schedule by putting together a
poster with an images of your child doing things like eating breakfast, getting dressed, and
going to school. Each image should be paired with the time each task will be completed.
