Getting Ready for the Holidays: A Behavioral Guide to Navigating Routine Changes

Changing Things Up: How to Prepare for a Flight; 5 Tips to Help your child Adapt to new Social Interactions (Families); Setting a Flexible Schedule

Routines, Schedules, and Flexibility

As you may now know, EVERYTHING/ONE runs better on a schedule...Well, maybe not all, but many children are more responsive and engaging when they are able to anticipate what is going to happen and when they can be informed of the expectations. If you knew exactly what to say during an interview, based off their questions, would you take the advantage?

When a child grows, they experience many changes early on, that they are not even aware of, as they mature they become more aware of these changes..... structure and predictability is safe; unpredictable changes can sometimes cause fear and anxiety.

When working with a neurodivergent population, predictability is crucial sometimes; this allows time to for Emotional Coping and time to work on skills such as Functional Communication (e.g. asking to escape, asking to delay)

Tip #1 - The Plan …Schedule's and Calendars are a must!

This must be an easy one; Planning upcoming events and changes to your everyday schedule. However; for some kids, this requires a bit more involvement. About 3-4 weeks before a big break, vacation, or holiday, identify the date on a calendar and review with your kids the plan of events (e.g. "On December 22nd, you wont have school for a few weeks, this will be family time and we can..."). As the date approaches, remind them of the upcoming schedule change (this timeline is very much dependent on the individual needs of each child/adult). Visuals are great supports; some people prefer pictures and some prefer written/word visuals. You should work with your child and clinical team to determine what is the most appropriate format.

Tip #2 - Explain more... Social Stories for better understanding

Talking about an upcoming event, especially if it will be a big change in their everyday routine, can help to ease any anxiety that accrues. These conversations should be help proactively and during a Neutral time that is NOT associated with a change or maladaptive behavior. For instance, before taking a trip with the family out of country, talk with your child, on a day where they are regulated and calm. Discuss what transitions and changes will happen, what behaviors are expected, AND how they can communicate their needs if they feel overwhelmed.

There are many Social Stories already available. Other Social Stories can easily be created and individualized by the providers you are working with. If not, let me know :)

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." --James Baldwin

Tip #3 - Have an Exit Plan-Functional Communication at its best.

Every time a child (or adults haha) display a behavior that is "outrageous", usually they are trying to communicate something. In their previous engagements that behavior has rewarded them, more so than just speaking OR maybe they don't have vocal abilities or a functional communication system yet. A key part to PREVENTING behaviors, is proactively teaching appropriate communication. When PRIMING your child of an upcoming change, MODEL to them exactly what they can say to GET OUT, ESCAPE, or DELAY a non-preferred or aversive activity. (e.g. "You can say... "I'm not ready", "I need a minute", "Can I color before I wash my hands").

Tip #4 - Role Play/Planned Practice Events

One of the most effective strategies to become prepared and transition from "scenarios" to "real life", is Acting it Out. This is the case for many professions, sports, careers, etc. In the weeks before an event or a schedule change, families can role play with their child to practice using appropriate and Functional Communication.

Tip #5 - Talk it Out

Proactively setting time to allow your child to ask questions and talk about their anxiety with upcoming events can SATIATE and FULFILL their need for attention. By discussing with them coping strategies and functional communication (i.e. square breathing, asking for time, asking for a break), you are giving them the tools which you can PROMPT them to use in the moment.

*As a note, always ensure you are consulting with a Behavioral Health Provider to ensure these strategies are applicable to your situation.