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How do routines in autism work?
Are you someone who needs to plan your day? Do you make lists to keep track of your tasks or even create a meal plan? If so, you’re part of the group of people who maintain greater control and organization through routines. Having an established routine can save us from a lot of stress when faced with the unexpected. Now, if you have a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), you may have noticed just how crucial consistency is in their day-to-day life. But why are routines so important? How do routines in autism work?
Routines offer a sense of security and predictability, which can be incredibly comforting for individuals with autism. Changes or surprises in daily activities can sometimes lead to anxiety, so knowing what to expect helps them feel more in control and less overwhelmed. Having a structured routine also makes it easier for children on the spectrum to learn and develop new skills, as repetition is vital in reinforcing positive behaviors and reducing uncertainty.
Let’s learn more about consistency in this blog by ABA Centers of Virginia. Families in Arlington and Washington, D.C., will learn about the importance of routines and how to implement them at home!
Importance of Routines in Autism
Children with autism process the world differently, as they often have challenges with sensory overload, communication, or understanding social cues. A routine creates a predictable environment where they know what’s coming next, which reduces anxiety and helps them feel more in control. Without that structure, even minor changes can feel overwhelming, causing emotional meltdowns or a withdrawal from situations.
For example, imagine a child with autism who follows a routine: waking up at the same time each morning, having breakfast, brushing their teeth, and then starting their schoolwork. Each part of their day is predictable, from playtime to meals and bedtime. However, when something unexpected happens, like waking up late, a change in the breakfast menu, or, for instance, when the summer vacation arrives, it can disrupt their sense of stability.
Even minor deviations from their routine can lead to heightened anxiety or frustration, causing emotional outbursts or reluctance to engage in activities they usually enjoy. Consistency in their daily schedule keeps them grounded and able to manage their sensory experiences and emotions.
Connection Between Autism and Routine
Routines also help children on the spectrum develop essential life skills. Whether it’s brushing their teeth, getting dressed, or learning to communicate, routines help break tasks into manageable steps. When kids follow the same steps daily, they become more accessible and more automatic, empowering the child with a sense of accomplishment and independence.
Moreover, the study “Enhancing Generalized Teaching Strategy Use in Daily Routines by Parents of Children With Autism” explored how teaching parents of children with autism to use specific teaching strategies in everyday routines could improve their child’s communication. Parents also applied these strategies in other, untrained routines to measure how well they generalized their use.
The results showed that all parents successfully used and adapted the strategy across different routines, leading to positive communication outcomes for their children.
How to Create Effective Routines: 5 Simple Steps
Building effective routines doesn’t mean turning your household into a rigid schedule. Flexibility is still vital, and there are ways to create routines that serve your child while keeping life manageable for the whole family.
1. Start Simple: If you’re beginning to introduce routines into your child’s life, start with something small, like a morning routine. This introduction might include simple steps like waking up, brushing their teeth, eating breakfast, and getting dressed in a specific order. It doesn’t have to be elaborate—just consistent.
2. Use Visual Supports: Children with autism often respond well to visual cues, so using a visual schedule or picture cards to outline daily routines can be incredibly helpful. For example, showing a picture of a toothbrush when it’s time to brush their teeth can reduce stress and make transitions easier.
You can find many ideas online to create your kid’s schedule.
3. Involve Your Child: Whenever possible, involve your child in creating the routine. Allowing them to have a say in which order things happen can help them feel more in control. For example, they could choose to get dressed before or after breakfast, depending on what feels right for them. Giving them this autonomy can reduce resistance.
4. Celebrate Success: Positive reinforcement works wonders! When your child completes a routine, whether it’s as simple as brushing their teeth without a reminder, celebrate it. A high five, a verbal affirmation, or even a small reward can go a long way in reinforcing the behavior.
5. Be Flexible but Consistent: Life doesn’t always go according to plan. Maybe there’s an unexpected appointment, or you’re running late for school. It’s okay to adjust the routine when needed, but try to maintain the core structure whenever possible. When there is a change in the routine, give your child clear communication about why the change is happening and how the day will continue afterward.
Navigating Transitions with Routines
If your child struggles with moving from playtime to bedtime, for example, you can create a consistent wind-down routine that signals the transition is coming. Reading a book, taking a bath, or putting away toys in a specific order helps ease the shift and sets up clear expectations.
If there’s a significant change, like moving to a new home or starting a new school or holidays, introducing routines ahead of time can make the adjustment smoother. You can even “practice” new routines before the change happens to help familiarize your child with the new process.
How ABA Therapy Supports Routines to Build Essential Skills
ABA therapy plays a vital role in helping parents establish effective routines for their children with autism. ABA therapists work closely with families to understand the child’s specific needs and develop personalized routines that support learning and behavior management. They offer guidance on how to break down daily activities into manageable steps, using visual aids or positive reinforcement to ensure consistency at home.
In therapy sessions, these routines become potent tools for promoting essential skills. Whether it’s communication, social interaction, or self-care tasks, ABA therapists use structured routines to help children practice and master these skills in a way that feels natural and familiar.
ABA Center of Virginia: A Guide for Parents
Just as you benefit from having a routine and planning your day-to-day life, routine is also a valuable tool for individuals with autism. As we have seen throughout this blog, it not only gives them greater predictability but also allows them to learn positive skills.
Whether the routine you’ve established isn’t working, you need help creating one, or you think your little one with autism could benefit from a proven therapy with many years of support, like ABA therapy, give us a call at (855) 957-1892 or schedule an appointment online to verify your insurance benefits.
Together, we can help create routines that will empower your child and improve their quality of life.
