Importance of Routine & Structure for Special Needs Children

A special needs child can lead as successful life as a child who is not special needs. Routine and structure of daily activities is key to that success for a special needs child. He learns what is expected of him, and increases positive behaviors through routine and structure. A special needs child benefits socially, cognitively and emotionally from routines and structure, by having a reliable base to return to when he feels anxious or frustrated.

  1. Behavior

    • For children with special needs, routine is a great way to encourage positive behavior. According to Kids Health, a special needs child thrives more on structure and routine than a non-special needs child. They say a child with something like autism will exhibit more positive behavior when his day is structured and he knows what to expect. Kids Health says a special needs child can meet expectations of behavior more frequently when he knows beforehand what those expectations are through established routines.

    Social Skills

    • The child development site Zero to Three recommends routine activities as a way to increase social skills of a special needs child. In their article, "Love, Learning, and Routines," the site says a special needs child learns to greet and say goodbye to peers through routines. Mealtime routines also help with social skills in a special needs child. Zero to Three advises routines increase other play interactions, and therefore increase socialization overall. A special needs child who becomes comfortable opening up to peers also learns how to further converse and play with other children.

    Anxiety

    • A special needs child can suffer from anxiety of the unknown when they do not have routines in place. The Northwest Regional Service District published their "Five Important Reasons Why Your Child Needs Routine to Succeed" for parents of special needs children. The publication recommends routine as an anxiety reducer for their child. They say a child with special needs feels less anxiety when they already know what is coming next. Transitions can be difficult for these children, and routines eliminate the anxiety that comes with transitions to unknown activities, according to Northwest Regional Service District.

    Learning

    • A special needs child benefits academically from having a routine to follow. A newsletter published by the Akron Children's Hospital states that special needs children benefit from the extra practice that routine provides. The Children's Hospital says the repetition and consistency provided by routine increases the learning opportunity for a special needs child. The hospital goes on to note, routine and structure aid a special needs child's language development and cognition through allowing for continued practice. The child can practice new skills while continuing to build on previously learned skills.

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