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There are not very many things more frustrating than having your daily plans interrupted. As adults, we find ways of dealing with those frustrations and handle them well (most of the time.) Children, however, have a much more difficult time handling transitions from one activity to the next. They live in the "now." Why would a child willingly leave an activity he or she is enjoying and do something else? As a mother to a child on the Autism Spectrum, I have had to learn methods of easing transitions on my son. As he got older (he is 7 now) transitions have become much easier, but I am still using these methods on occasion.

The best method for younger children is to create a picture schedule. You can easily make one using photos or simple pictures found on the web, or you can even draw the pictures yourself. Using Velcro and a piece of construction paper, show your child the daily schedule (or if it's just a particular time that is difficult, such as nighttime routine, use it just for that.) Put a small basket next to the schedule so that your child will be able to pull off the part that is finished and put it in the basket, thus creating a sense of accomplishment and a sense of time. A picture schedule for a nighttime routine might include a photo of a bathtub (bathtime), followed by a photo of a toothbrush (time to brush teeth), followed by a picture of a book (storytime), and ending with a picture of a bed (time to go to sleep.)

Another method that can be used to ease transition is to use a timer. About five minutes before it's time to change activities, have your child help you set a timer. It can be a fun-looking timer that your child helped you pick out, or even a regular kitchen timer. Make sure they know that when the timer rings, it is time to clean up and move on to the next activity. Make it into a fun game, and if your child does well, reward them with a sticker or a hug, or even just verbal praise.

For older children, including them in the planning of the schedule helps with transition as well. It gives them a sense of control over what is going on. You can sit them down in the morning for some special mommy time, and talk about what you will be doing that day. If you can, get their input of an activity they would like to do, or maybe the order they would like to do things.

Transitions are difficult for younger kids whether they are disabled or not, but giving them a sense of control of their environment is what will help ease their anxiety of moving from one activity to the next, and in turn, will make your life much easier as well.

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