For many families, the arrival of fall signals changes in routine. From daylight savings time to cooler weather, the shift from summer to autumn can disrupt established schedules and require adaptation. For children with autism, who often thrive on structure and predictability, these changes can present unique challenges. However, with the right strategies, parents and educators can help children adjust to these new routines smoothly, both at home and in school.
At Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting, we understand the importance of routine and structure in the lives of children with autism. In this blog, we’ll explore the common changes that come with the fall season and provide practical tips to help children with autism adapt to these shifts, ensuring they continue to thrive during this transitional period.
Understanding the Impact of Fall Routine Changes
Routine changes during the fall season can be particularly challenging for children with autism due to their reliance on predictability. Sudden changes in sleep schedules, daylight hours, and activities can cause anxiety and disrupt the child’s sense of control over their environment.
Some common changes that occur during the fall include:
- Daylight Savings Time: The end of daylight savings in autumn results in shorter daylight hours and earlier nights. This time shift can disrupt sleep patterns and lead to confusion about daily schedules.
- Colder Weather: Cooler temperatures often result in changes to outdoor activities and playtime routines, which can be frustrating for children who enjoy regular outdoor play.
- School Routines: With the fall season often marking the start of new academic terms, children may need to adjust to new schedules at school, including changes in classroom dynamics, lunchtime routines, and extracurricular activities.
- Family Schedule Changes: Parents’ schedules might also shift with the season, due to changing work hours, holiday preparations, or seasonal activities, further affecting the family’s overall routine.
To help children with autism navigate these transitions, it’s important to take a proactive approach, preparing them for change and supporting them through the adjustment process.
Strategies for Helping Children with Autism Adapt to Fall Routine Changes
Here are some practical strategies for helping children with autism adapt to the changes in routine that often accompany the fall season:
1. Gradual Transition to Daylight Savings Time
The shift in daylight savings time can significantly disrupt sleep schedules. To help your child adjust smoothly, start preparing them a few days in advance by gradually shifting bedtime and wake-up time by 10 to 15 minutes each day. This slow transition allows their internal clock to adjust more naturally.
You can also use visual aids such as clocks or calendars to explain the change in time. Children with autism often benefit from visual cues, so using a calendar to count down the days until the time change can help them understand what’s happening.
Additionally, maintaining a consistent bedtime routine is key. Activities like reading a book or playing calming music before bed can create predictability and ease the transition.
2. Prepare for Colder Weather and Indoor Activities
Fall’s cooler temperatures can affect outdoor routines, especially for children who enjoy regular playtime outside. While the colder weather may limit outdoor play, parents and educators can introduce new indoor activities that provide the same level of engagement.
At home, create an indoor play schedule that mimics your child’s outdoor activities. If your child enjoys physical play outside, consider indoor alternatives like obstacle courses, yoga, or interactive games that encourage movement. Keep the routine as consistent as possible to avoid frustration.
At school, teachers can incorporate structured indoor activities like group games, crafts, or storytime that keep children engaged and maintain a sense of routine.
3. Maintain Consistent Routines at Home and School
Children with autism often thrive when their daily routines are predictable. When changes are unavoidable—like the shift from outdoor play to indoor activities—it’s important to maintain as much consistency as possible.
For example, if lunchtime used to be outdoors during the summer and has now moved inside due to cooler temperatures, try to keep other aspects of the routine the same. Eating lunch at the same time each day, using the same lunchbox, or maintaining the same seating arrangement can provide a sense of stability.
Similarly, maintaining consistent morning and evening routines can help anchor the child’s day, even when other parts of their routine are changing. Keep morning preparations (such as brushing teeth, getting dressed, and having breakfast) and evening wind-down activities (such as reading or bathing) as predictable and consistent as possible.
4. Use Visual Schedules and Calendars
Children with autism often benefit from visual supports that outline their daily activities and upcoming changes. Visual schedules, which break down the day into manageable steps using pictures or icons, can help children understand what to expect during the day.
For example, create a visual schedule that includes the transition from school to home, indoor activities, and bedtime. If outdoor activities are no longer feasible, replace them with visual representations of the new indoor activities, keeping the rest of the routine intact.
In addition to daily schedules, consider using a monthly or weekly calendar to mark significant seasonal changes, such as when daylight savings time begins or when the school schedule changes. Counting down to these changes with a visual calendar helps prepare children for what’s to come.
5. Communicate Changes Clearly and Repeatedly
Children with autism may need repeated communication about upcoming changes to help them prepare. Be patient and provide clear explanations, using simple language that your child understands.
For example, before daylight savings time ends, you can explain, “In a few days, it will get dark earlier, but we’ll still follow the same schedule at home.” Reinforce this idea by pointing to visual aids like clocks or calendars.
It’s also helpful to introduce the concept of seasonal change in advance, explaining that certain activities (like swimming or outdoor play) may not be possible in cooler weather, but new activities will take their place.
6. Collaborate with Teachers and Caregivers
If your child attends school or works with a caregiver, communicate with them about the changes in routine that your child may face during the fall. Collaborating with teachers and caregivers ensures consistency across settings and provides opportunities to share strategies that are working at home or in school.
For instance, if you’ve introduced a new visual schedule at home to reflect changes in activities, share it with your child’s teacher to implement a similar system at school. Consistency between home and school helps ease transitions and reinforces the child’s understanding of their routine.
Conclusion
The arrival of fall brings changes in routine that can disrupt the predictability children with autism often rely on. However, with careful preparation, clear communication, and the use of visual aids and consistent routines, parents and educators can help children navigate these changes smoothly. By taking proactive steps, families and schools can ensure that the fall season is a time of growth and adaptation for children with autism.
At Solstice Behavioral Health & Consulting, we offer expert support and resources to help children with autism and their families navigate changes in routine. For more information or guidance, contact us today at our Fairfield County, CT location. Let us help your family thrive this fall season and beyond.
