How to Make a Routine for a Child With Disabilities

Disabled children benefit from routines.

Raising a child with a mental or physical disability is more of a challenge than raising a non-disabled child. One way to make it easier is to create a routine for your child. According to Robbie Blaha, teacher trainer at Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, a routine is beneficial for a disabled child because it encourages her to communicate, learn new information and build her procedural memory.

Instructions

1. Determine which activities you want your child to do on a daily basis. For example, brushing his teeth, washing his face, getting dressed and eating breakfast are activities he can do every morning.

2. Create a chart that lists daily tasks along with the times they must be completed. For example, she can start her homework each school day at 4:00 p.m. and eat dinner at 5:30 p.m. Put the chart in a place where everyone can see it, like on the refrigerator.

3. Help your child get used to the routine. Show him the chart you created and tell him that you want him to follow a routine every day. Include pictures next to every task to make it easier for him. Walk him through every step of the routine until he understands what is expected of him.

4. Allow him to carry out the routine without your help. Encourage him to look at the chart on the board if he doesn't remember what he's supposed to do. Be patient if he doesn't catch on right away and praise him when he does the routine correctly.

References

• Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired; Make it a Routine; Robbie Blaha
• Raising Children Network: Routines and Children with Disabilities