Schedules?

[sissyboogs]

Hey ladies! I need help with scheduling. I know that my children will do SO much better with a schedule, but I don't know where to begin. Right now, we have a pretty set bedtime schedule, and they go to bed amazingly well, but the rest of the day is a free for all....So, I thought, what better place to ask than in a group full of families who need schedules to thrive.

Do you girls schedule strictly--hour by hour where every minute of the day has a purpose? Or, do you schedule more loosely--more of this happens, then this happens rather than a timed schedule? 

What happens when something comes up that isn't an everyday occurrence, but interferes with the schedule--doctor's appointments, visiting family/friends, etc...?

Anyone care to give me an example of your schedule?

Thanks so much in advance! 

[nicksmom217]

   for children on spectrum is better to have schedule. you can write it done, what you want from them and put it on the refrigerator. if something comes up, it is good to explain , what to expect, where, who, how many hours, what location. for my son, when he knows what to expect in detels, makes  him feel more relaxed, lees anxiety. i hope it work for you.

[letstalk747]

 i get a piece of paper make a chart with topics  and columns of what needs to be done daily and if its done my son gets a star in that column that day when he gets so many stars like 25 he gets to pick out a toy , my topics are ,

get up

go potty

 eat

get dressed

brush teeth

take meds

glasses and hearing aids on

---------- if there is a apt. that day i tell and explain what it is all in a positive to the point way of course

---------- so each heading here is a column with lines seperating them

 this paper hangs on the fridge and we make it together

[ROGUEM]

 

If I can't picture it.
I can't understand it.
Albert Einstein

Here are some great websites for making picture schedules... I am going to update mine with these great ideas.

http://www.handsinautism.org/pdf/How_To_Activity_Schedules.pdf

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art45166.asp

http://card.ufl.edu/content/visual.html

http://www.specialed.us/autism/structure/str11.htm

http://autism.healingthresholds.com/therapy/visual-schedules

http://isybeeautism.com/autism-teaching-aids/day-schedule-strips-to-teach-and-calm-autistic-children/

 

 

[twins0506]

The other girls gave some pretty good advice with the pictures. I don't use pictures but I do have a schedule. I've been following this schedule since as long as I can remember. School days are different... They wake up, eat breakfast, take nap if necessary (depending on crankiness) eat lunch than proceed with errands for the day including visiting family. I plan my entire day around after lunch. I won't go out until after that. Then I make sure I'm home for dinner at 5-530. Bath after then bed at 8. There have been instances where we HAD to leave in the morning for the doctor or something and they will get thrown off for the day. For the most part I just adjust the schedule as needed, I personally don't use/need pictures.

[sissyboogs]

Thank you for all of your advice and suggestions. I'm not sure how I feel about pictures, but I might give it a try to see how it goes. 

[kickinit]

cute ideas gals....this is also awesome for a homeschool mom and family...thanks

[JasonsMom2007]

We homeschool. Ds is 4.5 years old. I have a schedule on the fridge and he checks things off as we do them. Each school subject is listed. I don't have a strict time schedule because sometimes he just needs more time to grasp a concept.
we came up with the schedule together and it has helped prevent so many meltdowns already. If he starts to argue we go check the schedule together and he can see exactly what is next

[Hottubgodess]

 We are pretty strict - I need schedules myself or I am in chaos.  :) 

Up by 7, Dress, Breakfast by 735, Brush Teeth, out the door by 8am, Mike to school by 810, TJ by 9am (on his school days of MWF), Lunch at noon, Dinner by 5p, Electronics off by 7pm, Jammies and bedtime starts at 730p. 

The days we have problems, I can nail it down to later bedtime the night before.  :)  Cub scouts nites are usually a good indicator.  We arent in alot of activities because of the delay in bed time. 

Wednesdays are late start wednesdays at Mike's school.  That threw a monkey wrench into my schedule.  :)  Notice I said MY schedule...lol