The Autism Society Event and Education Recordings Archive

Basic training prepares soldiers to handle anything that comes their way. This presentation will give you the tools needed to get your family into shape to deal with major life events such as relocation to a new city, starting a new job, post-secondary education or a change in guardianship. Introduction

Children and adolescents with ASD can be trained to handle change, but it should be a gradual process which starts with the small adjustments we all have to make, and ends with the major life changes most families will experience at one time or another.

Learning Objectives– Participants will leave with the ability to:

• Understand the often-unanticipated challenges of major life changes and transitions.
• Identify the common pitfalls of over-accommodation, and learn how to foster independence.
• Create a customized family toolkit to prepare for likely events.

Overview of scenarios faced:

Change of plans/surroundings

• A change in our regular routine
• Changes at home (renovations, rearrangements, new room)
• A change in person (new teacher, bus driver, debate coach)
• Change in school (new classroom, new standardized tests)
• Change in family (birth, death, divorce, remarriage)
• Moving to a new home/town/state (military families especially affected)

Changes in expectations:

• High school graduation/Post-Secondary education expectations
• Adulthood/Transition: Leaving school/home and working to earn a living
• Guardianship: No longer in charge of yourself

Strategies: Start young with your son/daughter if you can, but it’s never too late.

1. Have expectations
2. Set routines
3. Limit use of electronics
4. Teach how to deal with changes, and start small

Set Home Life expectations: Good hygiene; chores (appropriate for age) like picking up toys and bedroom, to doing household chores such as dishes, laundry, cleaning the bathroom; learning how to cook; personal safety; etc. Have a written/pictorial list of expectations. It is not easy to do and very exhausting, but will be worth it. Just do the best you can.

Setting routines: Involve them, use visuals, and explain everything.

1. Working together, set a daily routine for each part of the day
2. Create a visual chart.
3. Have a discussion about anything different from the norm, and write it out. Daily living schedules are very important. Some individuals will memorize these, others put them in their phones, or carry a paper copy. 

Whenever possible, give a reason why there needs to be a change and help them process it. [Examples from Minnesota Life College here].

Setting this type of communication with your child at a young age and upgrading it as they grow older helps manage the anxiety that changes bring, and begin to understand how to better process change. Setting routines and expectations over time can help with the extreme anxiety that comes with change.

Note: Monitored and limited use of electronics is extremely important. It distracts them from the routines and expectations set with them.

Conclusion: How do you help your son or daughter be prepared for the BIG life changes? (Audience will create toolkit based on changes applicable to their current circumstances).

• Routines, expectations, and pre-training for the big changes such as moving to a new location, home, school.
• How do you choose the best option for post-secondary school, work, or transition programs?
• How do you prepare your son/daughter for living with roommates?
• How do you approach the subject of guardianship?

Learning Objectives: