Routine is something hard to create and stick with in our lives….but it is a necessary thing. I watch a You-Tube channel with “Andrea Mills”. She talks about doing things routinely if they are important enough to you. Check out her website and channel for this topic and more.
With any type of special needs and we have two types in our family, I find as a homemaker that I need to create a way of organization for them; and not necessarily for me. With epilepsy and Autism in our home, I find that this affects everything that we do! For example, just leaving the house to go out for the day…we need to make a list on the back door of what we need to bring with us. This way my husband who has Epilepsy, whether it be a good day or not, does not have to think about what to bring. Especially when it is an “off” day for him, he just looks at his list on the door.
(example list for the door)
- travel bag
- pills
- water bottle
- phone
- phone charger
For our son has Autism.…so for his needs we have created labels in the refrigerator and also a routine of where to put things. This way there is no frustration of where things go. We also labeled where all of our coats go. Again, this way it keeps things simple and organized!
We have created a “white board” system to help with all those daily questions that you find Autistic kids always asking. They want to know what the next days meals will be 24 hours ahead of time. Our board includes 3 meals, 3 chores, 3 school events (we homeschool), and whatever the special event of the day is also.
This has proven to relieve many meltdowns, and crazy evenings in our home. When he asks the questions that he always does by 5pm sharp, we can just refer him to the white board.
Special needs can be a struggle to the caregiver as well as the person who struggles with it. Why not make life as routine as you can to avoid any chaos and confusion. There will always be other issues to deal with, but when things are routine it helps out a great deal.
Lynn A. Wilson – Resume of a Mother
Resume Of A Mother 