Teaching flexibility in your autistic child is helpful, they often time meltdown over the smallest change in routine. Here are some tips on teaching flexible thinking at home.

Teach same but different, different but same- be sure to point out the differences in things and events as well as what is the same. Example: travel a different way home you eventually end up in the same place.

Increase opportunities for productive uncertainty- times where the child has to reference your face for information (surprises). Shake things up a little bit- example: when serving cereal put it into a giant mixing bowl instead of a cereal bowl. Say “oops mom goofed up, oh well” if they will take the change great if not that is ok too. They just start to become ok with things that are different. Treasure hunts are also a good way to shake things up, putting things where they don’t belong but playing a game to find them this is fun for both the parent and child.

By creating moments of distress and then recovery, you increase the child’s level of competence and ability to handle change.

Share your own emotional state. Stay calm but talk about things that make you mad or happy or sad and why they do. Your child will be interested and eventually be able to share their feelings.

There are lots of great techniques using Relationship Development Intervention at home with your autistic kids check out the website if you haven’t already www.rdiconnect.com.