10/24/2025
5 Daily Habits that are GAME CHANGERS for families with neurodiverse kids (Read until the end for a bonus tip) ⬇️
1. Use visual schedules and timers for daily routines —> Neurodiverse people often feel more comfortable and less anxious when they know what to expect!
Visual schedules break the day into clear, manageable steps, reducing uncertainty. Plus, many neurodiverse people are visual learners, so having a visual schedule is super helpful.
2. Break down schedules using first-then language —> Language like this supports clarity, motivation, and understanding. It also prepares your child for changes by framing it in a predictable way. ie. First brush your teeth, then you can finish your puzzle.
3. Pack a backpack the night before and put it near the front door —> Mornings can be chaotic and fast-paced, which is hard for many neurodiverse kids who need more time to process and transition. Having the bag ready means fewer decisions and tasks, which makes the morning a lot smoother. Plus, packing a bag the night before creates a predictable pattern, and many neurodiverse children thrive on predictability!
4. Give a direction, and then wait your child out —> It may take your child time time to process what you are asking them to do.
5. Pick your battles —> It’s better for your child to pick up 10 blocks, than to not clean up at all.
Bonus tip! When possible, and depending on age, make a game out of cleaning up! For example, you can time them! ie. ” I bet you can clean this up before I count to 20.”
