Change is hard!

Because they thrive on routine, many children, teens, and young adults with executive functioning difficulties struggle to cope with changes in their daily routines.  Resulting behaviors can vary from thunderous silence to a “screaming-banshee” temper-tantrum.

If your child struggles with changes in her routine, try the six suggestions outlined in this post.

(1)   Keep her daily schedule visible and up-to-date so she can check and refer to it often.

(2)   Try to avoid catching your child off-guard if possible.

(3)   When there are changes to the schedule, point them out in advance.

(4)   Prepare her ahead of time for upcoming changes in her routine by talking about the impending change and your expectations.  Practice her response.

(5)   Teach your child how sometimes last-minute changes cannot be avoided.  Model and practice , practice, practice how to make an easy and effortless transition in these situations.  Work with your older child to come up with something funny to say to each other to break the tension during an unexpected transition.   Say, “Buckle your seat belts, put your tray tables and seat backs in their full, upright, locked, and most uncomfortable positions, we need to get ready for a last-minute change!”  Use a funny accent or find a word or phrase that always makes your child/teen smile.

(6) Finally, teach your child how to problem-solve as outlined in another post.  Many children, teens, and adults with executive functioning problems can be good problem-solvers, they just don’t have a structured approach to problem solving.

Try these suggestions today and see your child/teen’s flexibility improve!

Need help helping your child deal with changes in routine? Call us at 817.421.8780.

(c) 2010, Monte W. Davenport, Ph.D.