FAQautism

Many teens enjoy the relaxed, unhurried schedule of summer break and are looking forward to the end of the school year. But some of my friends with autism actually thrive in the predictable daily routine at junior high and high school. How can we carry over some of the school spirit in order to hold the summer blues at bay?

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Many individuals with autism are most content when they know what is coming next, when the structure of a predictable schedule minimizes transition issues, when they interact with a variety of people, and when they are involved in interesting activities every day.

Several parents were talking last week about the upcoming summer break. They were both excited that their teens with autism have finally learned to enjoy school, but were also aware that they needed to purposefully build some structure into each day and plan some predictable activities into the daily summer routine. Some ideas that emerged:
1. Written schedule. Both of these teens can read some familiar words, so they can review a written schedule for the next day before going to bed each night.
2. Mundane events. Although daily events like meals, getting dressed, and brushing teeth seem boring to most people, these two youngsters actually looked forward to checking them off the daily “to-do” list during the school year. The parents decided to include these mundane events on the summer schedule as well.
3. Chores. The sense of accomplishment motivated these youngsters and gave them something to look forward to each day. The list could include daily chores such as checking the mail, giving the pets fresh water, putting dishes in the dishwasher, bringing in the newspaper, or other household chores. The list could also include a “chore of the day.” For example, the list could include folding towels on Monday, sweeping the sidewalk on Tuesday, watering plants on Wednesday, and so on.
4. Daily adventures. The daily schedule could include any number of daily activities such as reading the comics, taking a walk, jumping on the trampoline, swimming, or whatever activities are available on a daily basis.
5. Special events. Plan one special activity each day of the summer. It doesn’t need to be expensive or complicated. You could include things like calling Grandmama, playing a game of cards, going to the zoo, visiting the library, or taking a light picnic to the park.

TIP FOR THE DAY: If your friend with autism gets agitated and frustrated during the lazy, hazy days of summer, you may want to try this summer schedule strategy. The key to success for teens with autism who thrive on a predictable routine is to write each activity down on the daily schedule. No need to assign an exact time if you need the flexibility, but at least have a list of activities and chores in order to give the day predictable structure and meaning.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: 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. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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