Waking Up in the Real World
Today we will talk about one of the skills necessary for a person with autism to live independently or semi-independently of family members. Parents tend to take the full responsibility of waking their kids up in the morning, then nag and plead with them every step of the way until they are ready to leave for the day. Mornings would be much more pleasant if your youngster learned to get himself up and ready in the mornings, at least as much as he is able. And, as far as the future is concerned, this is a critical daily living skills, whether the youngster ends up living in a supported environment or at home as an adult.
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SOME STRATEGIES. Getting up and ready in the morning is a rather complex task. Not only does the youngster need to wake up on time, but he needs to be motivated to get out of bed; he needs to know what tasks are necessary to get ready for the day; he needs to know in what order the tasks need to be accomplished; he needs to to be able to estimate about how much time to spend on each task; he needs to be able to monitor his time during the process; and he needs to focus on the tasks without distraction. Some individuals with autism are able to take manage this multi-tasking project with just a little training and support. Others will need more intense training over the long-term as well as some auditory and visual aids like schedules, check-lists, and timers, The most important point is to keep in mind that many individuals with autism are simply not able to independently organize and complete all the little tasks necessary to successfully follow this simple direction: “Jonathan, get up and get ready for school.” So, develop a schedule, break down the tasks into manageable chunks, train each task, and gradually require more and more independence. Click on “In-Depth Issues” on our website – for a detailed discussion about this important life skill.
NOTE TO LISTENERS AND READERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. You can click on a button to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solutions. Check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. www.FAQautism.com
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