Does your consistently inconsistent child or teen cause you to run late every morning?
Children and teens who struggle with executive functions often struggle to consistently complete daily routines and require numerous reminders from their parents. This is frustrating for both the parent and the child.
Together, you can take these steps to solve this problem.
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Download the Routine Checklist or make your own.
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Sit down with your child or teen and empathize by saying something like, “Whew! This morning routine is difficult for all of us! Let’s see if we can work together to come up with a list of all the steps needed to get out the door on time.”
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Agree to work together to make a list of the steps to complete this specific routine.
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Have your child or teen write out the list so that he or she takes ownership.
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Agree to the order these tasks will be completed.
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Assign times to each task if this is applicable. For example, if this checklist is used for the morning routine, you will need to assign times by considering what time you will need to leave to get to school on time.
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Agree to the cues you will give your child to keep him or her moving. For example, you might agree that every few minutes you will ask your teen what step he or she is on.
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Decide what will go in the last column of the checklist (number of reminders, reinforcers, etc.) or leave this column blank.
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Role-play the process using the checklist.
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Implement the process and cue your child or teen as agreed.
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Evaluate progress on a regular basis by asking, “What’s working?” and “What’s not working?”
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Celebrate what’s working and problem-solve by asking “Why’s it not working?”
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Once your child or teen is able to complete the items on the checklist on his or her own, you can slowly stop using the checklist.
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Try this routine checklist this week and get to school and work on time!
Need Help Applying this Concept?
Call 817.421.8780 to make an appointment.
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