Change is hard!
Because they thrive on routine, many children with attention difficulties struggle to cope with changes in their daily routines. Resulting behaviors can vary from thunderous silence to a screaming-banshee temper-tantrum.
If your child struggles with changes in her routine, try these five suggestions:
(1) Keep her daily schedule visible and up-to-date so she can check and refer to it often.
(2) Try to avoid catching your child off-guard if possible.
(3) When there are changes to the schedule, point them out in advance.
(4) Prepare her ahead of time for upcoming changes in her routine by talking about the impending change and your expectations. Practice her response.
(5) Teach your child how sometimes last-minute changes cannot be avoided. Model and practice , practice, practice how to make an easy and effortless transition in these situations. Work with your older child to come up with something funny to say to each other to break the tension during an unexpected transition. Use a funny accent or find a word that always makes your child smile (try tickle or giggle.)
(6) If necessary, try the ABC method outlined in an earlier post.
How do you help your child deal with changes in routine?
(c) 2010, flexiture, monte w. davenport
