Special Needs Kids - Time Change

Posted by Lynn Moore Mar 11, 2007

Changes in routine (even seemingly slight) can cause a number of problems for children with special needs and their families. This is particularly true of children who depend highly on the predictability of a schedule. Children who are hearing impaired, autistic, or cognitively delayed may fall into this category.

Here are some steps for parents of kids with special needs to make the time change a little smoother.

1. Explain Expectations Use a chart or simple home-made book to explain the times that you wish things to be done. These expectations should be fairly straight forward (so you can add an easily understood picture) and few in number.
2. Practice Basic Telling Time It is easiest for the child to have the times be on-the-hour or half hour times. You may wish to add a picture of what the clock will look like at the times on the schedule. Some children will need the clock pictures to be digital.
3. Ease into the Change This is especially important at mealtime and bedtime. Although you will want to target the time on the schedule, your child’s body is on a different clock. At bedtime, for example, you may need to add a little time to the winding down and actually falling asleep until the time change sinks in.
4. Be Flexible The time changing is hard for everyone. Remember that the old schedule did not happen over night. The same will be true with the adjustment to the new time. Be patient and consistent in working toward the goal.