Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) often thrive on routine and predictability. Routine helps them understand what to expect, reduces anxiety, and promotes a sense of security. However, when a child gets sick, these routines can easily be disrupted. From an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) perspective, maintaining structure, even during illness, is critical for the child’s well-being and development. Here’s why it’s important to follow a routine and schedule when your child with ASD is sick:
Consistency Reduces Anxiety
Children with ASD often experience heightened anxiety when faced with unexpected changes. When they are sick, they may already feel discomfort, confusion, or distress, and disruptions in their routine can intensify these feelings. By keeping a predictable schedule—even if modified slightly—you can help reduce their anxiety and provide comfort during a stressful time.
Routines Help Maintain Learned Skills
From an ABA perspective, routines reinforce learned behaviors and skills. Even when your child is unwell, maintaining some level of structure helps prevent regression in skills like communication, self-care, or social interactions. For example, sticking to a regular bedtime routine or mealtime structure supports continued progress in these areas, even during illness.
Flexibility in Routine
When a child is sick, some adjustments to the routine are necessary, such as extra rest or more breaks. However, it’s important to communicate these changes clearly. Use visual schedules or social stories to explain any temporary changes, so your child understands what to expect and feels more in control.
ABA Strategies for Sick Days
- Visual Schedules: Even when sick, you can use a visual schedule to outline the day, incorporating rest times, snacks, or medication. This helps the child understand what’s happening next and gives a sense of predictability.
- Reinforcement: Use positive reinforcement to encourage cooperative behavior during tasks like taking medicine or resting. Offer praise or a small reward for completing parts of the schedule.
- Modified Activities: If your child feels too unwell for typical activities, incorporate quiet, comforting activities like reading or watching a preferred show. Keep these activities within a predictable timeframe to maintain some structure.
Support Emotional Regulation
Following a routine helps support emotional regulation, especially when a child is feeling sick and uncomfortable. Having a consistent schedule provides a sense of normalcy and control, which can improve emotional resilience during difficult times.
Please remember that very strategy in ABA should be tailored to meet the unique needs of each child, as no two children respond to interventions in the same way. Please contact your BCBA or ALON Behavior Consulting to customize techniques based on your child’s specific needs and circumstances.
