Why Is Routine So Important For Autistic Children?
A top question we hear is: Why is routine so important for autistic children?
Another way to look at routines for students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is by relating to your own routine and day-to-day activities.
Actions like going to bed at a certain time, setting an alarm for the next day, and showering before work make up a routine. And this can make all the difference in your productivity for the day. Why? Because being productive isn’t necessarily about getting more done. It’s about doing things more efficiently.
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7 Reasons Why Establishing A Routine For Students With ASD Is Essential For Growth & Development
According to Harvard Business Review, 92% of highly productive people follow planned morning routines. Knowing this, it’s easy to see why establishing routines is critical at every learning stage for children – especially children with ASD.
1. Early Intervention Is Highly Recommended
The Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT), Revised with Follow-Up (-R/F) is one of the most commonly used screening tools utilized by pediatricians for children ages 3 to 5 years old with suspected ASD.
“You know, we’re at a point now where your pediatrician is screening [children] at 18 months…and we can diagnose sometimes quite early.”
Katrina Biglin, M.S., BCBA, LBS, Potential’s Springtime School
Following an ASD diagnosis, a student’s success heavily weighs on how quickly they can access the proper services to fulfill their learning needs. Treatments with roots in ABA allow students and their families to view their progress broken down into parts.
Academics aside, establishing a routine for children with ASD also equips them with tools to help them learn self-regulation skills by beginning with understanding what to expect throughout the day.
2. Better Support For Social-Emotional Development
Elevated anxiety levels and anxiety disorders are common in about 40% of young people with ASD. When it’s time to go back to school, break for the holidays, or make any other major transition, anxiety is often heightened for children with ASD. Reasoning for this type of behavior often includes one of the following:
- Communication difficulties
- Routine preferences
- Sensory sensitivities
- Anxiety about change
However, research shows that routines support healthy social-emotional development in early childhood by providing structure to reduce transition anxiety.
3. Practice Back-to-School & Other Seasonal Transitions
Transitions can be particularly challenging for children with autism, whether it’s a major change like starting a new school year or a minor one like moving from the bathroom to the kitchen.
“So when we’re looking at schedules and routines, we’re able to let the student know what the expectations are before they get there. And when that routine is followed consistently, it becomes a part of their skill repertoire.”
Katrina Biglin, M.S., BCBA, LBS
Fall typically means back-to-school transitions, which can be stressful for everyone. However, back to school can be especially difficult for children with autism due to their struggle with interruptions and changes in routine. Because general schooling begins around the age of 5, early intervention for ASD has the most impact starting at 3 years old.
4. Transitioning Away From Preferred Activities
Transitioning away from preferred activities is especially difficult and can lead to challenging behavior for students with ASD. Establishing a support system, also known as antecedent interventions, for students with ASD can be beneficial for both the student and their families.
Antecedents can look like the time of day, the physical environment, new people in the environment, and being told to stop engaging in a preferred activity.
“It is a support system put in place to help the student handle that transition. It still might be hard, but it’s that extra support upfront to help the child handle something really hard.”
Katrina Biglin, M.S., BCBA, LBS
Antecedents include events, people, or things that immediately come before unwanted behaviors. Strategies to reduce challenging behaviors involve eliminating the antecedent event, modifying the content, or changing how the content is presented.
5. The Science Behind Strategies Rooted In ABA
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) principles underlie the effectiveness of routines.
“ABA is the science of behavior, and it’s not just for children with autism – it’s how all of us learn.”
Katrina Biglin, M.S., BCBA, LBS
The key difference is that for children with autism, you need to break down skills into smaller steps and teach them more explicitly.
Routines provide structure and help manage transitions, which are particularly challenging for children with autism. Additional tools such as visual schedules and first-then boards are effective for non-readers.
6. Tailored Education For Children With ASD & Public School Services
A myth that you may have heard is that all public school teachers are trained to teach children with ASD. However, this is far from reality.
“Public schools are not designed to support students with intense needs, and teachers are not trained to handle these challenges.”
Katrina Biglin, M.S., BCBA, LBS
Katrina would know as she is a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA), a certification that includes:
- Holding a master’s degree in behavior analysis, education, or psychology
- Specific coursework in behavior analysis
- Supervised practical experience
- Passing the BCBA certification exam
In addition to this certification, she is also a Licensed Behavior Specialist (LBS), which includes:
- Holding a master’s degree or higher in psychology, education, counseling, or applied behavior analysis
- Completion of specific coursework in behavioral analysis
- Supervised clinical experience
- Passing a licensing exam
With the help of experienced professionals like Katrina, encouraging open communication and support between educators and interventionists is necessary to establish long-term change for all students with ASD.
7. Targeting Consistency For Improved Development
Remember, every child with autism is unique, and what works for one may not work for another. However, the consistent implementation of routines, coupled with understanding and patience, can make a significant difference in their ability to navigate daily challenges and achieve their full potential.
Your Insight Into Back-To-School, Seasonal, & Similar Transitions For Children With ASD
Why is routine so important for autistic children?
For children with autism, establishing and maintaining routines isn’t just helpful – it’s essential for their growth and development. As the school year begins and transitions loom, understanding the importance of routines becomes even more critical for parents, educators, and caregivers.
The better we understand each other, the more we’re willing to do to help one another.