Routine

  • schedules, Uncategorized

    Create an autism friendly summer schedule for your child!

     

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

    Summer break should be a time of joy, not chaos. Here’s how one special education teacher transformed her family’s summers—and how you can too.

    The Summer Struggle Is Real

    Picture this: It’s the first week of summer break. Your child with autism, who thrived on school routines, is now melting down at every transition. Your carefully planned “relaxing summer” has turned into a battlefield of confusion, resistance, and exhaustion. Summer Structure = School Success: Why Kids with Autism Need Predictable Routines Now!

    I’ve been there—both as a special education teacher watching my students struggle with summer transitions, and as Jacob’s mom, witnessing firsthand how the loss of structure can derail our entire family’s peace.

    The truth? Children with autism and learning differences don’t just want structure—they need it to feel safe, confident, and capable.

    I figured out how to create autism friendly routines:

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

    Why Summer Schedules Are Game-Changers for Autism Families

    Calm Through Predictability

    When Jacob was younger, asking him to do anything without warning guaranteed a meltdown. His brain needed time to process transitions, and verbal demands felt overwhelming. A visual schedule became our Calm strategy—creating peaceful transitions by showing rather than telling. Craving CALM? 3 ways our CALM system turns autism’s behavior challenges into progress.

    Authentic Communication Without Words

    Schedules became Jacob’s voice when words failed him. Instead of struggling with verbal instructions, he could see his day laid out clearly. This Authentic approach honored his communication style and reduced daily friction.

    Learning That Builds Independence

    Every successful schedule completion built Jacob’s confidence. These Learning opportunities weren’t just about following rules—they were about developing the life skills he’d need as an adult.

    Meaningful Structure That Grows With Your Child

    Our schedules evolved from simple “First-Then” boards to complex monthly planners. This Meaningful progression showed Jacob (and us) how capable he truly was.

    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. Why Most Visual Schedules Fail (And How to Fix Yours)

     

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

    The CALM Summer Schedule System: From Chaos to Confidence

    Phase 1: Start Simple with First-Then Schedules

    Your first summer schedule should be beautifully simple:

    • First: Complete one preferred activity
    • Then: Earn one highly motivating reward

    Example: First breakfast, then iPad time.

    This builds success patterns and trust in the system before adding complexity. https://www.popsugarcafe.com/blogs/news/summer-schedule-ideas-autistic-children-calm-visual-and-family-friendly

    Phase 2: Expand to Daily Routines

    Once your child masters First-Then, expand to a full daily schedule:

    Jacob’s Typical Summer Weekday (Elementary Years):

    • 8:00 AM – Breakfast
    • 9:00 AM – Reading time (chapter book)
    • 10:00 AM – Educational activity
    • 11:00 AM – Free choice time
    • 12:00 PM – Lunch
    • 1:00 PM – Quiet time/rest
    • 2:00 PM – Outdoor activity
    • 3:00 PM – Structured play
    • 4:00 PM – Help with dinner prep
    • Evening routine…

    Phase 3: Master Monthly Planning

    Jacob at 27 still uses monthly schedules that include:

    • Daily routines and self-care reminders
    • Special events and appointments
    • Family schedule integration
    • Independent living skills practice

    Pro Tips for Schedule Success

    Make It Visual

    • Use photos of your actual child doing activities
    • Include pictures of preferred items and places
    • Consider apps like First-Then Visual Schedule or Choiceworks

    Build in Flexibility

    • Include “choice time” slots
    • Have backup activities ready
    • Allow for spontaneous family moments

    Celebrate Progress

    • Acknowledge schedule completion
    • Take photos of successful days
    • Let your child help update their schedule

    Real-Life Summer Schedule Ideas

    Learning Activities That Don’t Feel Like School:

    • Library visits and reading challenges
    • Cooking projects that teach math and following directions
    • Nature scavenger hunts
    • Art projects with step-by-step visual guides

    Sensory-Friendly Summer Fun:

    • Morning walks before it gets hot
    • Water play with scheduled breaks
    • Quiet indoor activities during peak sun hours
    • Evening family bike rides

    Community Connection:

    • Regular grocery store trips to practice social skills
    • Playground visits at less crowded times
    • Special needs swimming programs
    • Structured playdates with understanding families
    Summer Chaos Free:
    Summer-family-fun-on-the-schedulecreate-autism-friendly-schedules
    Pic’s of the family over the years during summer!

    When Schedules Go Wrong (And How to Fix Them)

    Problem: Your child resists the schedule completely. Solution: Start smaller. Maybe begin with just morning routine, then gradually add activities.

    Problem: Meltdowns still happen at transition times. Solution: Add visual countdown timers and “almost finished” warnings to your schedule.

    Problem: Siblings feel left out or resentful of the structure. Solution: Create family schedules that include special one-on-one time with each child.

    The Long-Term Payoff

    Jacob is now 27, and our early investment in summer schedules has paid dividends. He independently manages his daily routines, anticipates appointments, and even helps his younger cousins understand their schedules when they visit.

    The real magic? Those chaotic summer days transformed into our family’s favorite memories—beach trips Jacob could anticipate and prepare for, structured camping adventures he could pack for independently, and quiet reading mornings that became our special tradition.

    Your Next Steps: Creating Your CALM Summer

    1. Choose one transition that’s currently causing stress
    2. Create a simple First-Then schedule for just that moment
    3. Use pictures of your child and their actual environment
    4. Practice for three days, then celebrate success
    5. Gradually add one more scheduled activity per week

    Remember: Progress Over Perfection

    Every child with autism is beautifully unique. Your schedule might look different from Jacob’s, and that’s exactly how it should be. The goal isn’t perfect compliance—it’s creating a framework where your child can thrive, learn, and enjoy their summer alongside the whole family.

    Summer doesn’t have to be about surviving until school starts again. With the right CALM approach, it can become the season where your child’s confidence blooms and your family finds its rhythm.

    About the Author

    As both a special education teacher and autism mom, I’ve spent over two decades discovering what actually works for families like ours. My CALM strategies have helped thousands of families move from surviving to thriving. Connect with me at EducatingJacob.com for more practical autism parenting resources

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  • Blog, schedules

    Visual Schedules, What does this make possible for autism Level 2 and 3?

    Visual Schedules for Autism

    Discover how visual schedules  for autism can transform daily life for families with children on the spectrum (level 2 and 3). Learn how they reduce anxiety, increase independence, and create calm.

    When Chaos Ruled Our Home 🌪️

    Chaos used to rule in our home.

    When Jacob was younger, Autism Level 3 meant he needed full support. Every transition brought stress, every change brought resistance, and every day felt unpredictable for both of us. I was trying to parent from a place of love and structure—but what I got back was shutdowns, meltdowns, and confusion.

    That’s when I realized: I had to stop hoping for calm and start building it.

    And the very first tool that made calm possible in our home was visual schedules for autism level 2 and 3. Teaching Chores: Building Life Skills with Patience and Support for Autism

    What Are Visual Schedules? 📊

    Visual schedules are picture-based tools that help children see what’s going to happen next. For autistic children—especially those with communication challenges or sensory processing issues—being able to see their day creates understanding, safety, and a sense of control.

    This isn’t just a classroom strategy. This is a life strategy—especially for families with kids on the autism spectrum at Level 2 and 3.

    The Bridge Between Chaos and Calm 🌉

    Before I could teach Jacob anything, I had to teach him who was in charge—not in a power struggle kind of way, but in a safe, loving, dependable kind of way. Jacob needed to know I wasn’t just going to spring things on him. He doesn’t like a lot of language either. What he needed was consistency, clarity and authority without fear.

    Visual schedules became the bridge to that understanding.

    When I showed him what was going to happen—even if it was a new or unwanted task—he felt less anxiety. Less need for control. Less shutdown.

    And for the first time, he could respond, not react.

    Now to be clear, the first time we try anything new there’s resistance. However, once he started using visual schedules for autism level 2 and 3 and began craving the structure and routine they provide, it became much easier to introduce new activities and eventually incorporate them happily into his routine! Come on Autism Thrive Tribe, 3 Ways to ditch chaos and get Happy!

    Steps-to-independence-and-learning
    Start small and simple and then just keep adding!

    What Visual Schedules Make Possible 🌟

    Here’s what happened when we started using visual schedules at home—and what can happen for your child too:

    1. Decreased Anxiety 😌

    Children with Level 2 or 3 autism often experience intense anxiety when they don’t know what to expect. Jacob would shut down when faced with too much verbal communication due to his receptive and expressive language delays. A visual schedule removes the guesswork. Suddenly, the world makes sense.

    2. Fewer Meltdowns 🧘‍♂️

    With a predictable structure, transitions are smoother. Jacob no longer needed to fight to feel safe—he saw what was next and could prepare mentally and emotionally. If he was pushing boundaries, he understood that bigger rewards came with completing tasks as asked. We celebrated all small approximations, but the big payout came when the goal was achieved.

    3. Improved Communication 💬

    Before Jacob had words, visual schedules were our language. Alongside a few signs, they gave us a way to understand each other without all the confusing words he couldn’t process yet.

    4. Real Independence 🚀

    Visual schedules empowered Jacob to start doing things on his own. From brushing his teeth to transitioning to the car, he could take action without waiting for me to guide every step—teaching him that he could be independent.

    5. More Joy and Less Helplessness 🎉

    So many autism parents (including me) over-help because we don’t want our child to fail. But if we never let them struggle a little, they don’t get to learn or grow. Visual schedules for autism level 2 and 3 create a safe space where kids can try, succeed, and feel proud—without chaos.

    How We Use the CALM Framework 🧠

    At Educating Jacob, we built our whole approach around the CALM framework:

    C: Consistent Action Forward ➡️

    • We use the schedule every day, even when it’s hard or inconvenient.

    A: Always Celebrate Wins 🏆

    • Every completed task, every independent transition—it’s a celebration!

    L: Learning to Create Schedules 📝

    • We design the visual tools that work best for Jacob—and for other families in our community.

    M: Mindset 💭

    • This isn’t about perfection. It’s about building peace one day at a time, knowing that calm is possible.

    Beyond Schedules: Extra Tools for Success 🛠️

    Visual schedules are just one piece. With Jacob I use:

    • Social stories 📚 to introduce new events
    • Video modeling 📱 to reinforce routines (seeing himself succeed helps Jacob feel confident!)
    • Redirection paired with visuals 🔄 to keep us out of power struggles and focused on solutions

    These tools work together to build a calm, chaos-free environment—where your child can learn, grow, and enjoy life more. We celebrate all small wins but we never bribe. We have supportive tools (snacks, sensory toys/breaks, etc.) but never resort to begging. Instead, we redirect and gently remind of the reward! Help! 3 Ways a schedule can help sensory issues and communication barriers? #Autism Challenges🧩

    Starting Your Visual Schedule Journey 🗺️

    Here are some simple steps to begin:

    1. Start small 🐣 – Begin with just 2-3 activities your child already knows
    2. Use clear images 🖼️ – Photos or simple icons work best
    3. Be consistent 🔄 – Use the schedule every single day
    4. Celebrate successes 🎊 – Make a big deal of completed tasks
    5. Gradually expand 📈 – Add new activities as comfort grows
    Structure-and-calm
    Do something different, try the schedule!

    Final Thoughts for Autism Parents ❤️

    Visual schedules won’t solve every challenge overnight, but they will give you a way forward.

    If you’re parenting a child with Autism Level 2 or 3, this may be the most powerful shift you make: choosing to lead with structure and calm, not just survival and reaction.

    You can be in charge. Your child can thrive. Your home can have peace again.

    Start with one simple visual schedule, and watch the transformation begin. With Jacob I started simple and with things that he already knew how to do> This way I was setting him up for success and teaching him that schedules are helpful, not restrictive. Once they’re on board, you can gradually expand the schedule until you have a system that works for both your child and your family! https://www.merakilane.com/how-to-calm-an-autistic-child-31-tips-for-managing-autistic-meltdowns/

    Remember: Every visual schedule you create is another step toward independence for your child, less anxiety in their daily life, and more peace and happiness for your entire home. We’re cheering you on! 💪

    Want a community? Join ➡️ Autism Thrive Tribe to share and learn from others who understand your journey.

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  • Uncategorized

    How I added games to my son Jacob’s schedule to promote socialization.

    Embrace differences
    Be kind, reach out and embrace differences!

    How I Turned My Son Jacob into a Social Butterfly (Well, Sort of)

    Hey there, fellow schedule enthusiasts! You know, parents and teachers who use schedules are basically the superheroes of time management. 🦸‍♂️ They keep everyone on the same page, and for folks like me, they help avoid meltdowns that could rival a volcano eruption. More info: https://educatingjacob.com/beyond-the-chaos-scheduling-101-class-for-special-needs-children/

    You see, I use schedules because of my son Jacob’s autism. His daily routines and his ability to follow a schedule give him a sense of security, confidence, and a lot less anxiety about the rollercoaster of life. But recently, I decided it was time to add a little sprinkle of socialization to Jacob’s schedule.

    Now, let me give you the inside scoop on my secret weapon: games. Yes, games, folks! I decided to sneak some fun into his routine, and let me tell you, it’s been an adventure.

    Game Time, Jacob Style

    Games for socialization!
    Games for socialization!

    So, here’s the deal. Jacob, like many kids on the spectrum, tends to be a lone wolf when it comes to socializing. He wants us around, but he’s not exactly hosting tea parties or neighborhood BBQs.

    Occasionally, I decided to spice things up by putting a game, like Word Search, on his schedule. Now, let me be clear, he LOVES word searches. Seriously, he’s like a word-hunting ninja. He even has them as part of his schoolwork and other worksheets.

    But, here’s the kicker – he always beats me. It’s like playing chess with a grandmaster. 😅 So, technically, it’s socialization, but it’s more like a friendly competition. He tolerates playing with me because it’s on his schedule, and he enjoys a good word hunt.

    Using his need for structure and routines, I can easily switch things up. If there’s a holiday on the horizon, we talk about it ahead of time. He can see it on the calendar and his schedule, and it helps him mentally prepare for the change.

    Countdowns and Excitement

    Now, one thing that gets Jacob excited is when he knows something different is happening. For instance, when his brother is coming into town, he’s over the moon. He counts down the days on his schedule, and trust me, it’s adorable.

    You see, schedules aren’t just about keeping order; they’re about building excitement and helping him accept changes in our family’s routine. It’s like his own personal calendar of awesome events.

    Games for Social Skills

    Games to increase socialization skills
    Increase socialization skills with games!

    Now, in school, teachers do something similar for the students. They dangle the game carrot at the end of a work stick, and it works like a charm. The kids know that if they complete their tasks, they get to dive into some game time.

    Jacob, like many kids on the spectrum, adores games. And while he might not win “Most Talkative” at school, he sure knows how to play a mean game of Connect Four. Here are some ideas for summer: https://educatingjacob.com/a-summer-schedule-for-my-child-who-has-autism/

    These games aren’t just fun; they’re stealthily teaching social skills. He might not always jump at the opportunity to socialize, but since it’s part of his schedule, he goes along with it. It’s a win-win, my friends.

    So, if you’re navigating the unpredictable waters of autism like me, consider adding some game time to your child’s schedule. You might not turn them into a social butterfly overnight, but you’ll definitely make socializing a part of their daily routine. And hey, who knows, maybe they’ll even let you win at Word Search. 🕵️‍♀️

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