....Now we know my ABC's, next time won't you sing with me.....
I was asked recently by a friend of mine, "How do you manage everything with all the alphabet on your plate daily; let alone on the first day of school?"
Yes, we have an almost fully alive alphabet dance in my house daily, however, the question of 'How" is easily answered by one word:
~ROUTINES~
Autistic individuals thrive best when they have a set routine or schedule in place according to the recent research and real testimonials from families. Every day, the monotonous routine (as some may think of it as being) is the best way to tell if something is wrong and why. Just think of "What was different/changed today from all the other great days?"
BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and Bipolar Disease works best with a set routine as well. Between the various medications one needs to take, their therapeutic visits and keeping a simple "mood log/diary"; routine is key. If a steady schedule is kept in place, where there's a "rough" day, they can look back and see what may have been a trigger for them so it can be avoided or worked on in a therapy session.
IIH (Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension) again is best managed by being constantly consistent. If you eat certain foods, drinks or ingredients, OTC (Over The Counter) medications, prescribed medications and realize all of a sudden your symptoms increase/decrease; you've kept a journal of it so you can easily create a routine around those items or not. This includes daily activities also. Bonus: You will already have what you need for all your doctor appointments!
Now, the fun part: First day of school!!!
(dun dun duuunnnnn)
Thankfully, the kids (or at least mine) are excited to start on Monday. Unfortunately, with this excitement comes the anxiety provoked lack of sleep. When we're nervous or excited about certain things, we all tend to be restless the evening prior.
How does that make a difference in your life?
Well, your established routine now needs to be adjusted...(I dread these times). As for adjusting them, I personally start the new routine about 2 weeks before the added/new event. I also suggest if you have children, take a piece of construction paper, card stock or plain paper and write their main schedule on it. Place it up on the wall close to their bedroom doors so they see it every day as a reminder.
I may have the alphabet in my home, but, we can have order and not chaos-to me, that's a blessing all its own.
I was asked recently by a friend of mine, "How do you manage everything with all the alphabet on your plate daily; let alone on the first day of school?"
Yes, we have an almost fully alive alphabet dance in my house daily, however, the question of 'How" is easily answered by one word:
~ROUTINES~
Autistic individuals thrive best when they have a set routine or schedule in place according to the recent research and real testimonials from families. Every day, the monotonous routine (as some may think of it as being) is the best way to tell if something is wrong and why. Just think of "What was different/changed today from all the other great days?"
BPD (Borderline Personality Disorder) and Bipolar Disease works best with a set routine as well. Between the various medications one needs to take, their therapeutic visits and keeping a simple "mood log/diary"; routine is key. If a steady schedule is kept in place, where there's a "rough" day, they can look back and see what may have been a trigger for them so it can be avoided or worked on in a therapy session.
IIH (Idiopathic Intercranial Hypertension) again is best managed by being constantly consistent. If you eat certain foods, drinks or ingredients, OTC (Over The Counter) medications, prescribed medications and realize all of a sudden your symptoms increase/decrease; you've kept a journal of it so you can easily create a routine around those items or not. This includes daily activities also. Bonus: You will already have what you need for all your doctor appointments!
Now, the fun part: First day of school!!!
(dun dun duuunnnnn)
Thankfully, the kids (or at least mine) are excited to start on Monday. Unfortunately, with this excitement comes the anxiety provoked lack of sleep. When we're nervous or excited about certain things, we all tend to be restless the evening prior.
How does that make a difference in your life?
Well, your established routine now needs to be adjusted...(I dread these times). As for adjusting them, I personally start the new routine about 2 weeks before the added/new event. I also suggest if you have children, take a piece of construction paper, card stock or plain paper and write their main schedule on it. Place it up on the wall close to their bedroom doors so they see it every day as a reminder.
I may have the alphabet in my home, but, we can have order and not chaos-to me, that's a blessing all its own.