Establishing a Routine at Home

By: Olivia Moore, Director of Programs

As we all learn to navigate outside of our normal routines, the Friends may have a harder time with the transition. It can often be helpful for them to know what to expect and have structure to keep them from feeling out of control. However, most of the Friends are unable to create that structure for themselves and need help.

This is a sample schedule that is similar to the one at Friends Life, in case it is helpful. If you have a white board, it can be written and filled in each day or created on a sheet of paper. If there are certain activities that you want to avoid while your Friend is at home all day, it might be helpful to set expectations now on when that activity is accessible. For example, TV, iPad, movies – if you want to limit the amount of time on those devices, setting times that they are available at the beginning and staying consistent, may minimize active discussion later.

Choices are very important. Most of us can relate to the frustration that comes with feeling out of control and if you throw stir craziness on top of it, it is easy to understand how less desirable behaviors start to show. By establishing options and choice up front, it provides the structure needed but also gives your family member a lot of control and choice in their day. They can also help create the list of options.

Daily Routine

• XX AM – consistent time to wake up, or at least a range so that it is easier to transition back to the normal schedule
• Morning Hygiene Routine/Checklist
  • Ex. Shower, get dressed, brush hair, brush teeth, etc.
• Breakfast Choices
  • Certain days of the week can be for making one’s own breakfast (choose between cereal, overnight oats, smoothie, microwaved burrito) and other days of the week can be cooking together, such as a pancake day.
• 9:00 – Noon Activity and Clean up
  • Arts Activity
    • Stickers By Numbers
    • Mini Terrariums
    • Weaving Loom
• Hobbies
  • Outdoor activities are great
  • Beading Kits
  • Games
• Chores
  • Laundry
  • Cleaning the bathroom
  • Sweep/Vacuum
• Lunch and Free Time
• 2:00 – 4:00
  • Exercise, outdoor activity, youtube exercise, dance to favorite music
  • Reading
  • Chores to practice work skills, such as cleaning kitchen counter tops or sweeping floor, hanging/folding clothes
• 4:00 – 6:00 Free Time
• 6:00 – 8:00 Family Time
• 8:00 – 9:00 Night Time Ritual
  • Make caffeine-free drink
  • Read or watch a story
  • Bath with two drops of lavender oil