Parenting a child with autism is a journey filled with love, learning, and, let’s be real—chaos. But after 27 years with Jacob and 14 years in public schools, I’ve learned that chaos doesn’t have to rule our lives. With the right tools, we can create calm, structure, and a happier home for everyone! 💙✨

When autism or a disability is involved, here are my top 3 autism parenting strategies for a happy home that help ditch chaos and bring more peace into your life:

1️⃣ Visual Schedules: Your Secret Weapon for Predictability 🖼️📅

Imagine waking up every day and not knowing what’s next. Sounds stressful, right? That’s exactly how our kids feel without a clear, structured plan.

📌 Why Visual Schedules Work: ✅ Reduce anxiety and meltdowns ✅ Help with transitions between tasks ✅ Provide a sense of control over the day ✅ Make changes less overwhelming

💡 Pro Tip: Having a visual schedule in place makes life easier because when unexpected things happen, you can show your child that the day is getting back to normal soon.

👀 How I Use Visual Schedules: ✔ I plan a simple daily schedule that Jacob can see ✔ If something unexpected comes up, I adjust the schedule and show him ✔ I use pictures, words, or even a small whiteboard on the go ✔ I remind him what’s coming next to redirect attention to something positive

📖 Looking for more guidance? Check out my CALM Frameworks, where L = Learning to Create Schedules 📅

2️⃣ Redirection: The Power of the Pivot! 🔄✨

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, our kids get stuck in frustration, repetitive behaviors, or sensory overload. That’s when redirection comes in!

🔄 What is Redirection? It’s a gentle shift in focus to something more positive, engaging, or calming.

📌 How Redirection Helps: ✅ Moves attention away from frustration ✅ Eases transitions without power struggles ✅ Keeps moods light and positive ✅ Helps get back on track when things go sideways

💡 How I Use Redirection with Jacob:

  • 🎶 Music therapy: If Jacob is upset, I play his favorite songs to shift his mood.
  • 🏃 Movement breaks: If sitting still is hard, I guide him to a different task (jumping jacks, stretching, or a walk).
  • 📖 Exciting distractions: “Hey Jacob, after this, we get to watch your favorite movie!”

🛑 Remember: Redirection is NOT bribery—it’s a tool to help your child focus on something positive instead of staying overwhelmed.

3️⃣ Planning Ahead: Your Autism Parenting Survival Kit! 🎒🛠️

🎬 Ever watch a spy movie where the hero has hidden bags full of money and supplies for emergencies? Well, as an autism parent, YOU should have a survival bag too! 😆💼

📌 What to Pack in Your Autism Go-Bag: ✔ Sensory-friendly fidgets (putty, stretchy silicone, pop-its) ✔ Headphones or earplugs for noise reduction ✔ Favorite snacks & drinks ✔ Extra clothes (because sensory discomfort is real!) ✔ Small visual schedule to show what’s next

👗 Pro Tip: Plan ahead for sensory needs. Choose soft, tag-free clothes that won’t trigger irritation or discomfort. A meltdown avoided = a win! 🏆

👀 How I Plan Ahead in the Classroom: I always keep baskets of sensory items—even for students who aren’t high sensory seekers—because we all need breaks and fun! 🎉 Complete some work? Grab a fidget and take a break! Easy peasy!

Autism Parenting Strategies for a Happy Home! 💙✨

We all want a happy, thriving home—and the key to that is reducing chaos and creating structure. That’s why I always go back to my CALM Frameworks:

✔ C: Consistent Action Forward 🚀 ✔ A: Always Celebrate Wins 🎉 ✔ L: Learning to Create Schedules 📅 ✔ M: Mindset Shift 🧠

👩‍👦 Remember: Your mindset and emotional regulation are just as important as your child’s. If your emotions are high, so will theirs be—guaranteed.

💡 Which strategy do YOU use the most? Drop a comment and let’s chat! And if you want to connect with parents who GET IT, join the Autism Thrive Tribe today! 💙

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