In parent teacher conferences I got a suggestion from Isaac's teachers...
For those of you who don't know, about 4 months ago Isaac was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. I have been trying to come up with ways to help Isaac and make life a little more smoother. I never considered that Isaac might have autism so I am not very knowledgeable about it yet. I am working on it. Isaac and I will figure it out together as we try different things and see what works and what doesn't. Isaac's teachers mentioned that Isaac does well with a visual schedule. I know Isaac does well with a routine, but at home where we have something different going on everyday and schedules get thrown off their time frames, I have had a hard time keeping Isaac on a routine. So I started researching visual schedules. I though they were a great idea and then I found I could not find any to buy. For something that is touted as indispensable on most autism websites, I was having a hard time finding information on how to make them or buy them. So I decided to make my own and combine it with a chore chart. I decided that anything that had times in it would not work for us because I never know what time it is. (seriously ask Lachlan, I am horrible at knowing the time) It also had to be manipulable so I could change it from day to day. Then I set about making 2 in square cards for every event, chore, or thing I could think of. It took about a week and a half to come up with cards and then another 4 days to print, cut, laminate, and them cut again. I bought a frame and put scrapbook paper inside it. Then I got some sticky things made by Scotch and put those on the front of the glass so I could attach cards and move them around. The picture is the finished project.
It has now been in use for a week and so far I love it! The kids love seeing whats next and taking down the cards once something is completed. I also have them choose their chores for the next day out of a box. Their favorite part is that I included a free card in there so they have the chance of not doing any chores the next day. My goal is to get this schedule working well by the end of the summer. I want the kids to have it down before school starts so I don't have to nag them as much. maybe that's a pipe dream, I might always have to nag them.
3 comments:
We've done the picture schedules before- they are great! (We'll be going back to it probably for Leila), but anyhow we had to make our own too. Sounds like you did a good job on yours. It does get better once they can read (especially a calendar). We just have a calendar in our kitchen and write down what's going on there, and Bridgette does fine w/ that. So just keep that in mind. If you find that doesn't work too well Melissa & Doug (toy company) have a great calendar & chore list thing that may work well for Isaac down the road (we've used the calendar in the past w/ Bridgette). You'll find other things that work w/ him. If you have any questions feel free to ask. There is also ABA which would probably help him w/ some of his behavior stuff (even if he's mild) so keep that in mind. <3 ya!
What a wonderful mother you are! I admire anyone who takes the time to sit down and figure out what is best for their child.
What clued you in on Isaac. We are having a little difficulty with William...not school or anything, just living in the imaginary world a little too much. I don't know if I should do anything, or if this is just a stage...kids...why oh WHY don't they come with a handbook. Hugs to you! SERIOUSLY miss you!!
Well you know isaac was late in speaking and has continued to struggle at school. So in the quest for answers we had him evaluated by a neuro psycologist. Isaac has trouble with imagination or anything that as he puts it is "fake". He also has trouble playing with peers. Pragmatics are difficult for him to understand as well. When he comes home from school he will walk around our living room talking to himself for a few hours. We are working with him on speech and socialization. I hope with this new diagnosis we can get him better help.
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