Chore Management: A Guide to Fostering Independence in Children with Autism
Intro From Dr. Autumn Flick
As a parent and an educator who has spent years helping students with autism tackle everything from basic to complex chores, I've seen firsthand the transformative impact of involving children in household tasks. Not only does it bring a sense of community to the family, but it also supports busy parents by teaching responsibility and self-reliance.
Setting the Foundation
Goals - What does independence look like for your child in 5, 10, or 15 years? Start early, and set clear, long-term goals for what you would like your child to achieve independently. This could range from personal care routines to more involved household tasks.
Expectations - Daily expectations should be clear and age-appropriate. For a young child, this might include making the bed or brushing teeth. As they grow, responsibilities can expand to match their developing capabilities.
Chores - Define regular chores beyond daily expectations. These can be simple tasks like setting the table, to more complex ones such as managing laundry. Ensure chores are aligned with your child's abilities and offer opportunities for growth.
Rewards & Incentives - Consider a reward system that motivates and acknowledges effort and achievement. While monetary rewards can be effective, also think about incorporating praise, additional privileges, or choice-based incentives to foster intrinsic motivation.
Flick Family Example:
From offering a fixed dollar amount per chore to a more structured approach💵, we've evolved our methods to suit the needs of our growing children. Recently, we've adopted a business-like model, where each child assumes a role for the week, such as "Zoo Keeper" (taking care of pets) or "Housekeeper." These roles come with specific responsibilities, and our children assess their performance based on independence, quality, and the ability to exceed expectations. ✅ This system has kept our household running smoothly and fostered essential life skills in our children, including a child with autism.
Autism Inclusion in Family Responsibilities
Just because a child has autism doesn't mean your child shouldn't have the opportunity to be part of the family community. Including them in chores is not just about getting help around the house; it’s about teaching them independence, responsibility, and the value of contributing to your family.
Sometimes, it may take more time initially to manage and teach children with autism how to perform certain tasks, but with patience and the right strategies, they can learn to perform them independently. The effort put in early on can lead to significant long-term benefits, both for your child’s development and your family. This involvement is crucial in helping them feel valued and capable within their family unit.
Tips for Chore Management Across Different Ages
Young Children (Ages 3-6):
🧽 Simple Tasks: Start with simple tasks such as putting toys away, feeding a pet, or wiping down tables. These chores should be manageable and clearly defined.
📝 Visual Schedules: Use visual schedules or picture-based task boards to help children with autism understand and follow chore routines.
🚀 Encourage Exploration: Don’t be afraid to let younger children try using tools like the vacuum or Swiffer mops. Let them tackle the "bigger" jobs—sometimes they surprise us with their capability!
Middle Childhood (Ages 7-11):
🧹Skill Building: Introduce chores that require more skill, such as setting the table, helping with laundry, or simple cooking tasks. This builds basic life skills.
💰Checklists and Rewards: Implement checklists for tracking chore completion, which can help motivate children. Consider non-monetary rewards such as extra playtime or a choice of family movie night. It’s never too early to introduce monetary rewards so that you can teach financial literacy.
😊 Positive Feedback: When needed, offer 1-2 tips for improvement, but allow them time to learn from their own experiences. Too much correction can be discouraging.
Teenagers (Ages 12+):
🫡 Increased Responsibility: Assign more complex chores like managing a grocery list, cooking meals, or handling certain aspects of family planning. This can be particularly empowering for teens, teaching them critical thinking and organizational skills.
🏆 Goal Setting and Evaluation: Encourage teens to set goals for their chores and evaluate their performance. This can include self-rating their efficiency and quality of work, fostering a sense of accomplishment and self-reflection.
💪 Behavioral Expectations: Incorporate values like maintaining a positive attitude and showing kindness. As they mature, tasks like doing their laundry and keeping their room clean should transition from chores to personal responsibilities.
Incorporating Autonomy and Encouragement
For children with autism, ensure that each task is broken down into step-by-step instructions. Allow them the autonomy to complete these tasks independently but remain available for support when needed. Regularly encourage them and celebrate their successes, boosting their confidence and reinforcing the positive aspects of their contributions.
Ask Your BCBA For Help!
Consider seeking assistance from your BCBA at Orchid 🌸. Our BCBAs are equipped with specialized strategies and insights that can make the process smoother and more effective 🛠️. They can help tailor chore assignments to your child’s abilities and developmental level, ensuring that each task is manageable and empowering 💪. Collaborating with a BCBA can also provide you with support and guidance on reinforcing positive behaviors, managing expectations, and celebrating successes 🎉, which are all key components of fostering independence and responsibility in your child. Don’t hesitate to reach out—they are here to help you and your family succeed! 🌟
