Morning Routine

A trap that is all too easy to fall into is doing things FOR our special needs kids that they can do themselves. Yes, it may take extensive training and supports, but they CAN eventually get it!

My goal is to not have to do these things for Chelsea when she is older. Who wants to be dressing their 25 year old child when nothing is wrong with their hands? I sure don't!

Therefore, we developed a morning routine so that Chelsea can get used to caring for herself!

1. Go potty! This means wiping correctly, washing hands, remembering to flush, everything!

2. Make bed. In order to get breakfast, you need to do work. Right now, this means putting on a blanket and arranging stuffed animals.

3. Eat breakfast. Focus on manners- eating correctly and not making too big of a mess.

4. Get dressed. All by herself! Underwear put on the right way, socks pulled on, shirt on correctly, everything! It takes a looooong time, but I know it will be worth it in the end!

5. Laundry in hamper. She understands she needs to clean up after herself.

6. Brush teeth. This will be HUGE, since Chelsea's genetic syndrome involves serious dental problems. She needs to know how to take care of herself!

7. Wash face and hands. Chelsea's school is amazing at helping reinforce this during her school hours, so she has made great progress on washing her hands!

8. Glasses and medicine. I have Chelsea try to put on her glasses, and push in the plunger on her medicine syringe to have her accountable for the medicine.

9. Brush/ do hair. Still in the very early stages, but definitely something we want to work on for the long-term!

10. Pack lunch/ backpack. This is one thing that I really am pushing with Chelsea. She eats her food better when she feels responsible for it, and I want her to be able to take care of herself- make sandwiches if she is hungry, or think ahead to pack a lunch for a picnic. Plus, it makes her so happy!