The power of visual routines and timers for neurodiverse kids
January 9, 2025
The power of visual routines and timers for neurodiverse kids
Mornings can be hectic for families, especially when children with neurodiverse needs are involved. For kids who may face challenges in understanding instructions or transitioning between activities, visual routines and timers can be game-changing tools to simplify mornings and build confidence.
What are visual routines?
Visual routines use pictures, symbols, or charts to represent the steps of a daily activity, like a morning routine. Steps might include brushing teeth, getting dressed, and packing a school bag. These visual cues break tasks into manageable pieces, offering clarity and predictability.
For neurodiverse kids, visual routines reduce reliance on verbal instructions, which can sometimes be overwhelming. They provide a consistent reference point, making transitions between activities smoother and less stressful.
How timers make a difference
Adding timers to the mix can further enhance this system. Visual timers—such as those that use a shrinking red disk or color bar—help kids grasp the concept of time passing. These timers show how much time is left for each task, creating a clear and gentle prompt to stay focused.
Timers not only help children understand the pacing of their morning but also reduce the pressure of constant reminders from parents, fostering independence over time.
Why it works
By combining visual routines and timers, families can create a structured, supportive environment tailored to their child’s needs. This approach empowers neurodiverse children to tackle their morning routines with more independence, confidence, and success. A smoother start to the day often sets a positive tone for everything that follows, reducing stress for both children and parents.
Resources to help you get started
Here are some tools and resources to support visual routines and timers for neurodiverse children:
Visual schedule resources:
- A practical guide to creating visual schedules
This guide from Autism Parenting magazine, offers insights into optimising visual schedules for enhanced effectiveness. - Visual supports for routines, schedules, and transitions
Provides visual cards to help children understand daily routines and transitions.
Visual timers:
- Time timer
A visual timer that helps individuals "see" time pass, easing stressful transitions by showing "how much longer." - Sensory timers
Offers a range of sensory timers designed to enhance focus with visual and auditory cues.
Online resources
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At helpz, our behaviour support practitioners are increasingly adopting Dr. Ross Greene's Collaborative and Proactive Solutions (CPS) approach to enhance the quality of life for NDIS clients . CPS is an evidence-based model that focuses on solving the underlying problems causing challenging behaviours rather than merely addressing the behaviours themselves. The CPS approach aligns seamlessly with Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) , a cornerstone of the NDIS framework . PBS is a person-centred approach that aims to improve an individual's quality of life by understanding the reasons behind their behaviour and addressing their needs in a respectful and supportive manner. By integrating CPS, helpz practitioners can proactively identify and solve problems collaboratively with clients, fostering a non-punitive and non-adversarial environment. CPS involves three key steps: identifying lagging skills and unsolved problems, prioritising problems to be solved, and engaging in collaborative problem-solving discussions This method not only reduces challenging behaviours but also builds essential skills such as empathy, communication, and problem-solving. For NDIS clients , this means a more tailored and effective support plan that respects their dignity and promotes their autonomy. By utilising CPS within the PBS framework, helpz practitioners are better equipped to create positive, lasting changes in the lives of NDIS client s . This approach not only addresses immediate behavioural concerns but also empowers clients to develop the skills they need to thrive in their communities. For more information on our behaviour support services, please c ontact us .
Hello everyone, Tharon here, your neurodivergent consultant. Today, I’d like to discuss the benefits of martial arts, particularly for neurodivergent individuals. While martial arts can be advantageous for everyone, it offers unique benefits for those of us who are neurodivergent. Firstly, let’s consider the health benefits. Martial arts is an excellent form of exercise. Beyond physical fitness, it helps improve clumsiness and balance, which is crucial for many of us. For instance, activities like touching your nose with your eyes closed involve proprioception and kinesthesia (something that autistic people may find difficult), and martial arts can significantly enhance these skills. A fundamental aspect of martial arts is learning balance. Proper standing techniques ensure good balance and that you remain stable. Additionally, martial arts heightens your awareness of your surroundings, enhancing situational awareness enabling you to respond to potential threats faster and more efficiently. This skill is invaluable in everyday life, not just in the dojo. Now, let’s delve into internal self-regulation. Martial arts is particularly beneficial in this regard. It instills discipline and heightens body awareness. You become more attuned to interoception, which is understanding your body’s internal signals. Basic patterns or katas in Taekwondo or Karate help you focus on your breathing and movements. Performing these slowly helps you centre yourself, calm down, and manage your emotions. This mindful movement, or moving meditation, is an effective way to handle anxiety and can be practised anywhere when feeling overwhelmed. For me, it’s about recognising when my mind is racing. Breathing and movement act as catalysts to slow it down. By slowing your breathing, you slow your heartbeat, and this helps you manage your anxiety. This aids in daily activities and provides a sense of control over your environment. Martial arts encompasses various disciplines, including Karate, Taekwondo, and Kung Fu. Eastern martial arts are particularly effective for teaching regulation skills. Parents should participate with their children, attending classes together and practising at home. This not only strengthens the parent-child bond but also helps instill morality and boundaries. Martial arts can reduce the propensity for violence by teaching self-control and self-awareness. Sometimes, the only self-control we have is pausing long enough to move to a safer environment. While it doesn’t guarantee stopping a meltdown, it certainly helps. There is always a risk of martial arts being misused, however this is not unique to autistic children. Martial arts tends to reinforce an autistic person’s natural inclination for justice, honesty and fairness through strong boundaries. Teaching children the proper use of martial arts techniques is an important part of the sport, and this is something that the instructor and parents will do. Martial arts teaches self-defence against bullies. As a child, I was bullied at school, leading to meltdowns and aggressive outbursts. Learning martial arts gave me the confidence to know I was in control. I could defend myself or choose to walk away, which I did. Resorting to violence means you’ve already lost, but being able to protect yourself and others, including those who can’t protect themselves, is crucial. Parents, it’s important to disclose your child’s diagnosis to the instructor. This helps them better prepare and support your child during class. Accommodations might include breaks in a separate area or having parents involved in the lesson. Dance, especially ballet, and gymnastics can also help achieve similar goals to martial arts. Combining these activities with martial arts is highly compatible and supports all the benefits mentioned. Some centres allow children as young as three to attend, so it’s never too early to start. In summary, martial arts offers a wide range of benefits for physical and mental health, and self-regulation. It provides us with skills we might not naturally possess and helps us navigate the world more effectively. Give it a try – it might just be the best decision you make! Best regards, Tharon
