The Social Site & Official Publication of Autism Connection
5 Household Chores for Children with Autism (any level of ability)
Need more help around the house? Well, enlist those children of yours and put 'em to work by making them responsible for these household chores - you'll have less work to do and they'll feel great for helping out...
1. Light Patrol - assign your child the responsibility of making sure lights are turned off. Light switches on the wall are the easiest to use of course. Write a story or verbally explain why we should turn off the lights and when. Start by having your child check the lights at the same time each day and you'll notice they begin doing it throughout the day without your prompting.
2. Door Knob Duty - one of the easiest things for children to dust is a door knob believe it or not. Simply hand your child a damp cloth and have them twist the knob as if they were opening the door. It takes only one second and it's a guaranteed success and we LOVE that.
3. The Crusher - when you've finished off that gallon of milk, juice or box of cereal, let your child jump on the empty container and squish it flat with their feet. You'll save room in the garbage can, the kids love to jump and squish things and it's an easy job to teach.
4. Computer Defragger - if your child loves the computer then once per week open your defrag tool and let your child hit 'start'. Tell them, in words they'll understand, why your computer needs this and how important of a job it is. *note - this is an easy task and one most kids like because it's over with quickly, however, if you leave your child at the computer and walk away, goodness only knows what might become of your files, so keep that in mind!
5. Mail Call -have your child get the mail and hand it out if possible. Make an effort to send a few note cards and have your child handle the outgoing mail too. They can easily learn to adhere stamps, labels, and categorize 'in town' and 'out of town' too.
There isn't any reason for children with autism to escape those dreaded household chores parents make you do before you go outside, so don't let 'disability' prevent your child from learning responsibility, which is a concept that suits social stories very well.
Have fun, be creative and let us know how you include your child at home and what responsibilities they have by posting it in the forum or commenting below.
1. Light Patrol - assign your child the responsibility of making sure lights are turned off. Light switches on the wall are the easiest to use of course. Write a story or verbally explain why we should turn off the lights and when. Start by having your child check the lights at the same time each day and you'll notice they begin doing it throughout the day without your prompting.
2. Door Knob Duty - one of the easiest things for children to dust is a door knob believe it or not. Simply hand your child a damp cloth and have them twist the knob as if they were opening the door. It takes only one second and it's a guaranteed success and we LOVE that.
3. The Crusher - when you've finished off that gallon of milk, juice or box of cereal, let your child jump on the empty container and squish it flat with their feet. You'll save room in the garbage can, the kids love to jump and squish things and it's an easy job to teach.
4. Computer Defragger - if your child loves the computer then once per week open your defrag tool and let your child hit 'start'. Tell them, in words they'll understand, why your computer needs this and how important of a job it is. *note - this is an easy task and one most kids like because it's over with quickly, however, if you leave your child at the computer and walk away, goodness only knows what might become of your files, so keep that in mind!
5. Mail Call -have your child get the mail and hand it out if possible. Make an effort to send a few note cards and have your child handle the outgoing mail too. They can easily learn to adhere stamps, labels, and categorize 'in town' and 'out of town' too.
There isn't any reason for children with autism to escape those dreaded household chores parents make you do before you go outside, so don't let 'disability' prevent your child from learning responsibility, which is a concept that suits social stories very well.
Have fun, be creative and let us know how you include your child at home and what responsibilities they have by posting it in the forum or commenting below.
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