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    3 Simple ways to use choices to make connections and learning fun for those on Autism Spectrum!

    Monday_Friday_Work_Schedule_Pouches
    This is a picture of Jacob’s Monday-Friday zippered pouches that hold his school work!

    First, I created schedules for Jacob so that he could choose the order in which they were completed. Second, Jacob could choose what activities he wanted to do once the schedule was done. Third, by using schedules with built-in choices, I gave Jacob the predictability and structure that he needs to keep anxiety and emotional regulation in check. 📅✅

    Choices are like the secret weapons in our arsenal of connection and learning, especially when it comes to navigating the labyrinth of the autism spectrum. If you’re on this roller coaster of a ride, you know that sometimes it’s like having Darth Vader unexpectedly show up in a rom-com movie – a mix of surprises, challenges, and a few laughs along the way. 🎢🧩😄

    Jacob’s Journey: From Chore Dread to Delight

    celebrate all tasks and chores completed by your child on autism spectrum
    Celebrate all tasks and chores completed!

    Enter Jacob, our household hero 🦸‍♂️ who embarked on a chore journey that promised both epic battles and heartwarming victories. Picture this: the first time we floated the idea of chores, I was half-expecting dramatic background music à la Darth Vader’s theme – because, let’s be honest, even chores can feel like an intergalactic quest. 🎶🌌

    Armed with Patience, Creativity, and Humor

    But fear not, fellow adventurers, because we faced this challenge armed with an unshakable combo of patience, creativity, and yes, a touch of humor. With lightsabers… okay, maybe not actual lightsabers, but definitely a light-hearted approach, we ventured to transform Jacob’s perspective on chores from dread to delight. 💡✨😄

    Transforming Mundane Tasks into Cosmic Missions

    At the core of this transformation were three simple yet potent tips that held the power to rewrite the chore playbook. We delved into the world of schedules, weaving choices into Jacob’s day that resonated with his quest for predictability. These choices became more than just checkboxes; they were his way of cracking the code of the world around him, a chance to have his say in the grand cosmic dance. 📅✅🌟

    Empowerment Through Choice: A Path to Connection

    Roadmap for choices
    Use schedules with built in choice for connection and learning!

    Jacob has problems with receptive and expressive language. Having a conversation isn’t happening, and he will shut down because it takes too long to process. He loves movies and quotes from them because they say the same thing every time. Speaking with a person is different every time. 🗣️🤐🎬

    Schedules are short, sweet and easy for Jacob to understand! It eases his anxiety for the day and gives him the predictability he needs to help regulate his emotions. 📅✨😌

    Choices at Home: More Than Chores

    Giving Jacob choices in the form of visuals, or a schedule where he can choose when to complete something during his day makes him empowered and confident. It also makes him happy and connected with me for helping him understand. It also shows I care to include the choices he enjoys along with chores that need to be done as part of the family. 🎨⏰😊👩‍👦‍👦

    movies_drawing_fun
    This is Jacob drawing something from a movie cover after homework is complete!
    Choices at School: Bridging Learning and Connection 🏫

    At school during the day, I’m a special education teacher. I give my students schedules based on their present level in academic areas, and choices after the work are based on their preferences. 📚👩‍🏫

    Creating Independence and Connection 🌟

    If they complete my work, they are allowed to do activities that are more to their liking. They are more willing to do my work and are happy to come to my room for work when they feel they will have a say in what happens there. 🙌😊

    If you are looking for something just for your child on the spectrum you might look into activities like summer camp through the Autism Society. Check out this post: https://www.bloglovin.com/blogs/embracing-spectrum-12194587/winning-lottery-2729998147

    Jacob’s Journey: Visual Schedules and Independence 🛤️

    In the beginning of Jacob’s journey, in order to get Jacob to understand his day, we used visual schedules. His day was a series of pictures that told him what to do; he also had pictures of activities that he loved to do placed in between work or chores to keep him happy and moving through the day. 🖼️🕒

    Nee help with schedules? Check out this post: Help! 3 Ways a schedule can help sensory issues and communication barriers? #Autism Challenges🧩

    From Dread to Delight: The Power of Choice 💡

    This allowed me as a mom to take a breath and do my own chores. After all, our job is to create independent humans! The mother bear in me wanted to protect and keep him happy, but the tired, worn-out momma needed him to learn and start becoming independent without being a “me” monster no one wanted to be around. 🐻💤

    Three Simple Strategies for Choices and Connection 🔄

    1. I created schedules with work, and he was able to choose the order in which he completed them. ✅
    2. After the work he chose was completed, Jacob could choose what activities he wanted to do. 🎨🎮
    3. By using schedules and built-in choices, I gave Jacob predictability and structure that he needs to keep anxiety and emotional regulation in check. 🗓️

    Embrace the Adventure of Choices
    So, prepare to embark on a journey where choices light up the path and humor is our trusty sidekick. Life is a series of choices, and each choice has the potential to create ripples of change. So, are you ready to wield your lightsaber of choice and embrace the adventure? Let’s do this! 🌟💫

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  • Uncategorized

    3 Practical Tips For Parents To Boost Schoolwork Motivation Using Effective Schedules

    Monday_Friday_Work_Schedule_Pouches
    This is a picture of Jacob’s Monday-Friday zippered pouches that hold his work!

    Hello amazing parents lets discover the power of well-designed schedules to improve schoolwork motivation for children. Here are 3 practical tips to implement structured routines and nurture intrinsic motivation, to support  academic success with confidence:

    1-Engaging and Personalized Schedule Creation

    • Involve the child in creating the homework schedule, include their interests and   preferences.
    • Design the schedule to align with their energy levels and study habits, making it more engaging and motivating.
    • Use visual aids or color-coding to make the schedule visually appealing and easy to follow.

    2-Reward and Recognition System

    • Implement a reward system where completing homework tasks on schedule earns them small incentives or privileges.
    • Praise and recognize their efforts and accomplishments, reinforcing positive behavior and boosting their motivation.
    • Celebrate their progress and improvements regularly, making the experience of following the schedule more fulfilling.

    3-Consistent Support and Encouragement

    • Be actively involved in their homework routine, providing assistance and guidance when needed.
    • Offer consistent encouragement and show belief in their abilities to tackle challenging tasks.
    • Address any obstacles or difficulties they face, fostering a supportive and nurturing environment for learning.
    In the picture below Jacob is drawing after completing a work assignment, the first assignment was math and not that enjoyable but the next thing on this schedule was free time for drawing or watching a movie of his choice.
    movies_drawing_fum
    This is Jacob drawing something from a movie cover after homework is complete!

    Understanding Schoolwork Motivation in Children:

    Before delving into the benefits of schedules, you can find a blog post here for a previous blog post: How Can Using Schedules Can Change Your Child’s Life? , it’s essential to grasp the factors influencing a child’s motivation towards schoolwork. Motivation can be intrinsic, driven by a genuine interest in the subject, or extrinsic, fueled by external rewards or pressures. A child’s attitude towards learning and academic success heavily relies on their level of motivation. Therefore, as parents, it is crucial to nurture a healthy balance between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation. Below Jacob has a trip to Barnes and Noble as a reward for completing his work schedule for the week!

    schedule-fun-jacob-is-the-hulk-barnes-and-noble
    Jacob having fun at Barnes and Noble after a week of completed work!

    The Power of Schedules in Enhancing Motivation:

    Creating a structured routine for schoolwork and study sessions can work wonders in boosting motivation. A well-thought-out schedule sets clear expectations, helping children understand when and where they should focus on their school tasks. Moreover, it provides a sense of predictability and control, reducing anxiety and creating a conducive learning environment. In the picture below Jacob is much younger and had more sensory and attention issues. This book was part of his daily school work schedule and was put into his work rotation for daily work. You can see he is smiling because he’s used to a schedule and feels confident in meeting my expectations.

    Jacob_reading_when_he_first_started_using_schedules
    This is Jacob reading a story book that was in his first_then work schedule!

    Implementing a Schoolwork Schedule: Practical Tips for Parents:

    To implement a schoolwork schedule successfully, parents must consider their child’s preferences and energy levels. See previous blog post: “How To Create A Personalized Schedule For Children With Autism” .  Identifying the best time for study sessions, whether it’s in the morning or after a short break, ensures that children are more engaged and receptive to learning. Moreover, incorporating rewards and positive reinforcement for completing tasks can help create a positive association with schoolwork.

    Nurturing Intrinsic Motivation through a Schedule:

    Beyond the surface benefits of schedules, they can also serve as a tool for nurturing intrinsic or inborn motivation. By encouraging curiosity, allowing self-directed learning, and fostering a growth mindset, we can as parents can instill a love for learning within their children. A schedule that supports intrinsic motivation will help children become self-driven learners who actively seek knowledge and embrace challenges. Jacob had things in his early work schedules that played to his strengths, there was little verbal instructions. I would use a picture schedule and the work expected had a picture that showed what was expected of him. Examples would be: a picture of a snowman and play doh colors so he could create what he saw. You are trying to use things that your child likes and engages their strengths and curiosity. 

    As parents, we have the power to shape our children’s school journey positively.

    In conclusion, by including daily schedules into your child’s homework routine, you can witness remarkable improvements in their motivation and academic performance. Understanding the importance of motivation and how schedules empower your child is the first step towards a successful learning journey. Daily schedules bring structure and predictability to homework time, making it a positive and rewarding experience. As you involve your child in creating and implementing the schedule, celebrate their achievements and provide support, you’ll see their motivation soar. Together, let’s set them up for a bright future filled with academic achievements and a love for learning!

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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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