| NEED FOR ROUTINE | | | | interviewed hundreds of parents. The following are |
| People with Asperger's syndrome need to have a | | | | specific actions that parents of Aspergers kids told |
| routine and need to know what is going to happen | | | | me helps minimize or reduce the likelihood of |
| next at all times. Routine is stabilizing and essential to | | | | meltdowns. |
| people with Aspergers; they get very anxious when | | | | "We try not to change any thing around him. I try to |
| they are not prepared for what will happen. | | | | be with him as much as possible." |
| Having a routine and predictability makes them feel | | | | "Keeping on a strict schedule and explaining if |
| safe. Whether you're meeting someone with | | | | something will be different, aside from the normal |
| Aspergers for the first time or trying to figure out | | | | routine." |
| how to best help a loved one, creating a routine, | | | | "We have added visual cues where possible we try |
| using explicit, literal, verbal language to communicate, | | | | not to stray from routine, even when something |
| being aware of sensory issues and trying to minimize | | | | exciting is happening we created 'retreats' where our |
| them as much as possible, and having lots of love | | | | son can go to calm down." |
| and understanding will go a long way to helping | | | | "I try to keep some kind of structure. Any change in |
| people with Aspergers navigate the world. | | | | his routine, will result in a meltdown - from his |
| CONSISTENCY | | | | morning routine all the way to his bedtime." |
| What are some things a parent can do to help? | | | | "We provide warnings (30 minute, 10 minute, 5, etc.) |
| The most important thing is to be consistent. Kids | | | | when we know a transition is approaching. We have |
| with Aspergers thrive on routine. | | | | 'do overs' as an opportunity to 'go back in time' and |
| Everything needs to be done at the same time, in | | | | make things the way she likes them. We don't raise |
| the same way, every day, as much as possible, to | | | | our voice with her because that causes her to |
| give the child a sense of safety and security. When | | | | become highly agitated. Instead, we try to be silly |
| there will be a change in your child's routine, tell them | | | | and cajole her into calming down." |
| as far in advance and explain what will happen.When | | | | "We have tried to 'slow down' and work around his |
| you talk to your child with Aspergers, you should use | | | | temperament. We no longer 'rush' to do things and |
| a calm and even tone of voice, and use explicit | | | | try to allow plenty of time because we found that |
| language that says exactly what you mean. | | | | by telling him we were 'running late' it only caused him |
| Do not make requests too complicated or ask a child | | | | to get more upset. We have tried to cut down |
| to do things with too many steps at once. Try to | | | | eliminate those items that we know send him on |
| keep your language as literal as possible. | | | | 'sensory overload.' We have altered his diet and we |
| Try to be very verbal. If your child does something | | | | are still working at how to lessen/shorten the melt |
| right, praise them for it. | | | | downs as well as what other things trigger them." |
| MELTDOWNS | | | | "Making changes would be the wrong thing to do in |
| If your child has a meltdown, the most important | | | | Saira's case. We have had the same routine since she |
| thing to remember when dealing with these situations | | | | was 2 and any change would pretty much destroy |
| is to try to figure out what caused them. Your child | | | | her perfect world." |
| is not doing this to intentionally annoy you; he is doing | | | | "we tend to follow the same routine, or sequence of |
| it because he has reached his limit of tolerance in | | | | activities, we have to be careful about transitions, |
| whatever he is dealing with. If you feel his meltdown | | | | make sure that preferred foods are available, he |
| was caused by a change in routine, reassure him of | | | | needs very close following to see that homework |
| the routine for the rest of the day and that the | | | | and other non preferred activities are completed well |
| routine will not change the next day, if that is the | | | | so use picture schedules at times" |
| case. | | | | These are just a few of the answers you will need |
| SUCCESSFUL TACTICS USED BY OTHER PARENTS | | | | to successfully survive and thrive with Aspergers. |
| In the research I conducted for my book, I | | | | |