Learning disabilities

  • Blog, Uncategorized

    Games, TV and Cell Phones. 3 ways we use to strike a balance for our autistic son.

     

    screen time for autistic children
    Watching movies, games and his phone had Jacob stuck in a loop.

    Screen Time for Autistic Children 📺📱🕹️

     

    Screen time for autistic children in today’s digital age.  A waltz of wires, pixels, and the occasional meltdown thrown in for good measure. As parents, we’re all familiar with the perplexing puzzle of balancing our children’s love for games, TV, and cell phones, especially when they come with a side order of learning disabilities. Balancing screen time for autistic children can be a unique challenge, but it’s a necessary one. Here’s an article warning of screen hazards: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10442849/

    Screen time, autism, and childhood development!

    Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Screen time is the nemesis of childhood development!” Trust me; I’ve read the articles, heard the warnings, and contemplated creating a bonfire with every device in the house just to free our kids from their pixelated prisons.

     

    But here’s the twist in our tale: I’ve also stumbled upon studies suggesting that video games can miraculously morph into concentration enhancers for our ADHD champs. Oh, and let’s not forget the cautionary tales of phones, iPads, and games birthing OCD tendencies.

     

    Enter Jacob, my youngest progeny, who is legally an adult but will stick around with family until heaven is our permanent address. My husband and I, well, let’s just say we’re charter members of the “How Do We Adult When Our Kid Is a Permanent Resident of Autism” club.

    screen time for autistic children
    It was a sad day but necessary!

    The Solution: Saying Goodbye to iGadgets 🚫📱

     

    The solution was as simple as a triumphant exit for the iPhone and iPad – two devices that Jacob clung to with the ferocity of a squirrel protecting its nut stash. Why, you ask? Well, for starters, our beloved iGadgets couldn’t differentiate between age-appropriate entertainment and YouTube’s greatest hits of “Movie Voiceover Catastrophes.”

     

    Snippets of perfectly decent films transformed into bizarre voiceovers that would leave even Darth Vader scratching his helmeted head being consumed by our son on the autism spectrum. After years of tireless monitoring, debates, and the occasional eye roll from our tech-savvy son, we decided to go medieval on those devices.

     

    Screen Time as a Welcomed Guest 🎮📺

    Now, before you peg me as a screen time Scrooge, let me clarify – we’re all about balance, folks. Jacob loves the predictability of his games and movies, but like a squirrel fixated on that nut stash, he can get a tad obsessed.

     

    So, we embark on a quest for equilibrium, where balancing screen time for autistic children becomes a welcomed guest in Jacob’s daily schedule, not the puppeteer pulling all the strings.

     

    Let’s dive right into the chaotic realm of screen time, where YouTube voiceovers reign supreme, sarcasm flows like a never-ending river, and emotions take center stage. Picture this: Jacob would merrily parrot inappropriate voiceovers from movie clips he’d stumble upon in the depths of YouTube.

     

    You know, the clips that sneakily infiltrate even the most kid-friendly content. To make matters even more interesting, he’d not only repeat the lines but also wear the emotions like a hat.

     

    Now, this might sound like an amusing party trick for your average teenager, but for Jacob, who grapples with emotion regulation difficulties courtesy of his learning disabilities, it was like a comedy show gone awry.

     

    Sarcasm and emotional mimicry? Well, they don’t quite fit the bill for a kid navigating the complexities of his own emotions. So, we had to bid farewell to YouTube and its unexpected voiceover adventures.

    Screen Time and Removing iPhone and iPad

    Next up on our journey: Jacob’s affinity for the iPhone. He would rise at the crack of dawn and make a beeline for his cherished device. At first, it was innocent enough – just a little music to set the morning mood. Christian tunes from the Newsboys, classics from the Eagles, and the uplifting melodies of MercyMe filled our home.

     

    But here’s the catch: YouTube was always just a click away, and on his device, we couldn’t effectively filter the content.

     

    In an ideal world, he’d have a dose of music during the day, tackle his schoolwork and chores, and enjoy the iPad, TV, or games during his well-deserved downtime in the evening. However, what ensued was a full-blown obsession with the phone and iPad, and it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

     

    The lack of parental controls, combined with a sudden onset of attitude issues and an unsettling penchant for repeating the aforementioned sarcastic voiceovers, led us to a decision – those devices had to go.

    Finding Alternative Devices

    With a heavy heart, we waved goodbye to the iPhone and iPad, and in their place, we introduced the Kindle tablet.

    Jacob wasn’t exactly thrilled with the switch, but necessity often breeds adaptation. The Kindle offered us better controls and access to Amazon Prime movies and Kindle books – a trade-off that Jacob eventually came to appreciate.

     

    You see, movies and games were more than just entertainment for Jacob. They were a vital part of his life, a means of communication, and a source of shared laughter within our family. We wanted to nurture these positives and, in turn, steer clear of the negatives.

     

    With the Kindle, we even had the power to program specific times for movies, ensuring a balanced approach to screen time. How my husband changes Jacob’s bad mood with music! #musicandautism.

    Strategies for Achieving Balance

     

    Now, let’s get to the crux of the matter – how do we strike that elusive balance between screen time and the real world?

     

    Monitoring: Jacob might be older, but that doesn’t mean we can let our guard down. His emotional regulation quirks are still very much a part of his daily life. If he immerses himself in a movie or show, he becomes it, quirks and all.

     

    Limiting: By limiting his screen time and offering alternative activities, we’ve witnessed a remarkable transformation. He’s no longer a device-clinging zealot but a much happier individual with a broader spectrum of interests.

     

    Scheduling: Finally, we integrate screen time into Jacob’s daily schedule, just like any other activity.

     

    Jacob thrives on balance and predictability, and our schedules provide just that.

    A Balanced Approach to Screen Time 💖🕹️

     

    Monitoring, limiting, and scheduling screen time have all contributed to our collective success as a family. With vigilant monitoring, we were able to identify and address issues, leading us to bid adieu to the iPhone and iPad in favor of the Kindle tablet.

     

    Limiting screen time curbed obsessive tendencies, helping Jacob understand the importance of a diversified day.

     

    Finally, incorporating it all into a daily schedule bestowed upon him the predictability he so dearly craved, fostering independence and a sense of accomplishment. Want more download the ebook: https://educatingjacob.myflodesk.com/tfgvkumbkg

     

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  • schedules, Uncategorized

    Create an autism friendly summer schedule for your child!

     

    summer-fun-is-on-the-schedule
    Jacob having fun at Barnes and Noble!

    Why do I need a summer schedule? Children with autism or any learning disability need help understanding their day and transitioning. A routine will help reduce anxiety and meltdowns because the child will understand what’s expected of them and what is coming next.

    Like me, my students are looking forward to summer break. Without a plan or schedule, they may cause a lot of chaos at home. Parents are wondering, “What in the world? How can you be unhappy when you have no alarm clock and all this free time to do what you want?”

    I understand, I’ve asked myself the same question as a mom and a teacher! As a mom, it felt like I didn’t have one free minute with the kids home unless they were in bed at night. I was tired and wondering why my home was so chaotic. 

    With Jacob, there were meltdowns, chaos, and frustration for the whole family. Because he has trouble with conversations and communication, walking into the room and asking him to do things almost always resulted in meltdowns or some form of resistance. 

    I figured out how to create autism friendly schedules:

    Autism-friendly-summer-routine
    This is a typical daily summer schedule during the week.

    Once I figured out that schedules could be used to show Jacob his day without verbal communication (demands), we started getting somewhere. In the schedule above each line has multiple steps. He has done some version of this for years so it’s easier now. My home was free from the chaos of meltdowns, anxiety, and rebellion that had me frazzled and frustrated as a mom.

    Schedules should start very simple and become a full day or week of activities. You can even do monthly schedules once your child understands what’s happening and is happy using them. 

    To start, my first summer schedule was a : First – Then schedule.

    Organized-schedule-for-autistic-children
    Simple First Then Schedule

    To start, my first schedule was a First – Then. Meaning, first you do this…. Then you get this. After this is accomplished and your child is successful, then you can add another task. You can make a list and use pictures. There are so many different ways you can create a schedule and make it fit your life and your child’s needs.

    Jacob’s daily work schedule always has a small chapter book of some kind to keep him reading. During the summer Barnes and Noble usually offers free books to kids who read and turn in their list. Ours is in Fayetteville, NC. Here is the pdf link if you are interested! BNKidsSummerReading85x11 http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://dispatch.barnesandnoble.com/content/dam/ccr/bnstores/kids/misc/2023/BNKidsSummerReading85x11.pdf

    Jacob is now 25 years old, and we use a monthly schedule to:

    Organized-schedule-for-autistic-children-during-summer
    List daily schedule and add in specials so your child knows whats coming in days ahead!

    Jacob is now 25 years old, and we use a monthly schedule to keep track of shaving, haircut, etc. Doctor visits and Mom and Dad’s schedule is also posted. He has Monday-Sunday zippered bags that have activities (worksheets, small chapter books, etc.) that are daily. He also has daily things on his schedule, like breakfast, taking meds, taking a shower, etc.

    When we started this journey, there were so many things going through my mind and scaring me about the diagnosis of autism that creating a schedule never entered my mind as something that would help us so much.

    A summer schedule for a child with autism is crucial for several reasons:

    1. Predictability and Structure: Children with autism thrive on predictability and structure. A summer schedule gives them a sense of routine and familiarity, which can help reduce anxiety and meltdowns. Knowing what to expect throughout the day can provide security and stability.
    2. Visual Representation: Children with autism often benefit from visual support. A visual schedule, with pictures or symbols representing each activity, helps them understand and anticipate the sequence of events. It serves as a visual reminder of what comes next, smoothing transitions and reducing confusion.
    3. Enhancing Communication: For children with communication challenges, a schedule is a non-verbal way to understand and communicate their needs and activities. It can help them express their preferences, make choices, and participate in planning their day.
    4. Promoting Independence: A structured schedule empowers children with autism to develop independent skills. They can learn to follow the schedule, complete tasks independently, and take ownership of their daily routines. This promotes self-confidence and self-reliance.
    5. Facilitating Skill Development: A summer schedule can include activities targeting specific skills or goals. It allows for intentional planning of activities that promote learning, socialization, sensory integration, communication, and other areas of development. By incorporating therapy or educational activities into the schedule, the child can continue progressing during the summer months.
    6. Supporting the Whole Family: A schedule benefits not only the child with autism but also the entire family. It provides a structure for the family’s daily life, reduces chaos and stress, and ensures everyone is on the same page. Schedules help parents and caregivers plan and organize their time effectively, knowing what activities or support the child needs at specific times.
    Summer Chaos Free:
    Summer-family-fun-on-the-schedulecreate-autism-friendly-schedules
    Pic’s of the family over the years during summer!

    I am happy to report that as a mom and special education teacher, schedules help me to communicate with Jacob and my students and also decrease anxiety during the day. School teachers will also say that schedules are necessary to keep everyone on track and developing skills.

    Every child is unique!

    Remember, every child with autism is unique, so the summer schedule should be tailored to their individual needs and interests. It should balance routine and flexibility, allowing for spontaneous activities and free time while maintaining a basic structure. 

     

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