Post-Holiday: Getting Back to a Regular Routine

While long holiday breaks can be a much-needed time of relaxation and togetherness for families, the transition back to our daily routines can be difficult. This is true for individuals with special needs, as well. While it is often the case that children with autism thrive on routine, it can be equally true that change of any kind (even change back to “normal”) is challenging for those same individuals to manage.

Here are some helpful tips that can ease everyone back into a normal routine:

1) Gradually adjust bed and wake-up times: One of the joys of time off is the freedom to stay up or sleep in later than usual. However, this can mean a rude awakening for everyone when it is time to revert to the usual schedule. In order to make the transition back to normal hours as peaceful as possible, begin to adjust bed and wake-up times closer to the normal time across at least 3 days. If the 9 p.m. bedtime has slipped to 1 a.m. movie-fests over the holidays, start by going to bed by midnight three days before the first “back to school” day; then by 11 p.m. two days before, and by 10 p.m. the day before. This gradual and systematic approach will likely be more acceptable to everyone in the family, as only small changes are required each day. This same approach can be applied to wake-up or nap times as well. Even better: Maintain the normal bed/wake up times throughout the break.

2) Gradually reintroduce activities associated with “usual” routines: While escape into fun time with friends, family, and all those new toys can be a joyful experience, it can be equally hard to leave those fun times behind to once again take up the responsibilities of daily life, whether it be work, school, or therapy. Depending on what your child’s usual routine is, begin to reintroduce “normal” activities 2-3 days ahead of the end of holiday break. Read books, practice writing, conduct therapy trials, or review work projects for increasing periods of time leading up to the “first day back.” Even better: Continue daily exposure to tasks throughout the break period.

3) Gradually make home time less desirable: There is a strong desire for parents to provide a fun and memorable holiday experience for their children. This can mean access to treats that are usually off limits, plenty of time to play with new toys gifted during the holidays, access to privileges normally withheld, or fun outings to preferred locations. All this can make the return to the normal routine seem even more disagreeable. In order to minimize the contrast, begin to decrease the fun one day at a time leading up to the return to “normal.” This could mean decreasing time allowed with preferred items, staying home for longer versus going to highly preferred places, or restoring normal household rules such as “no dessert on weeknights”. Even better: Maintain usual household rules, even over holiday breaks. Individuals with special needs often don’t understand why something is allowed sometimes, but not at other times.

4) Don’t tell me, show me: Children in general, and especially individuals diagnosed with autism, are more apt to process things when presented visually. In addition to telling someone that an event is upcoming, try showing them by using a calendar with visual icons. Calendars are a great tool to provide someone who does not fully understand the passage of time with a way to predict major events. Be sure to include a visual representation of the next fun thing coming up to give the person something to look forward to. Even better: Make use of a visual schedule or calendar part of your daily routine prior to holidays. This is a great tool to help your loved one understand upcoming changes and events across the whole year!

Shawna Barrios, M.A., BCBA
Senior Clinical Director, Los Angeles
Tuesday, January 7, 2020