Post #38 Time for Change

I began this blog at the start of a lengthy period of lockdown in our homes. Schools closed and many children and young people experienced significant change regarding their education. Recognising the scale of the challenge for families of autistic children and young people, I embarked on this blog as a way of sharing my knowledge and experience to suggest home-learning strategies and resources. Whilst lockdown eases, the 'big school holiday' looms and yet more change is likely for the foreseeable future.

As we gradually move towards children and young people returning to school or college, so begins the 'new normal'. There are many uncertainties that will cause anxiety, but one thing is certain: change is the new normal. As a result, many autistic children and young people will have to cope with further changes which they may find challenging, not least the concept of 'bubbles' and new ways of working at school.   

The need to prepare for, and cope with, change is likely to be long-term. This may feel daunting, but many youngsters have shown their capacity to cope with change during this period of home learning. So how might you continue to support your son or daughter to cope with change, during the school holiday and/or when they return to school? 

The visual schedule, calendar or diary is one of your best tools. Use the schedule during the holiday - it does not need to look like school! Schedule routine activities, add in fun/leisure activities and include choose times. Use the schedule to help your son or daughter cope with change - make a small change to the schedule every day to help your child to cope when expected activities change to 'something else'. On the example below, you can see that 'park' has been changed to 'film' - use  vocabulary such as: 'park has changed to something else - film' For some youngsters you can give an explanation: 'it's raining so park has changed to something else - film'. Use 'change for something else' as consistent vocabulary so that your son or daughter begins to associate change with a different activity or event.

The more opportunities your child has to experience the feeling they have when something has changed, the more familiar that feeling will become. If you use this strategy during the school holiday, they may be better prepared to cope with changes when school re-starts. Practise self-calming strategies to use when there is a change. For example, try a breathing technique,  supported with visual cues: 

Take this opportunity to teach your son or daughter that change can also be positive and even enjoyable! Use stories or examples in nature to show your child the positives of things changing.

Take a look at TEACCH tip: The power of the positive which you could adapt/personalise for your son or daughter.