Special Educational Needs Inclusion ServiceSLD

Home Learning

All parents want their child to develop their independence. To help your child, we have put resources together to develop with independent skills. It is important to remember what your child’s current skills are and how you can take steps to develop these skills at their level.

Top tips: Provide visual support… photos, the written word or symbols.

Challenge at the beginning of a task and make the end easier.

Where possible use errorless learning- don’t let them fail! Errorless learning is guiding your child in each step and if they make a mistake, guiding them to the correct choice and giving praise.

Give positive, immediate reinforcement e.g. sticker, stamp, high five.

Use backward chaining - do first 5 steps of a task and let the child do the last step. For example when teaching your child to wash their hands, you may teach your child the last task first and when independent with that,

Allowing your child to learn new skills at home, will help them become more independent

Children enjoy learning new skills

moving on the teaching the next element which would be rinsing their hands.

Personal CareEstablishing good personal care skills are essential for independence. Having difficulty with fine and gross motor skills which may also trigger sensory issues. Learning any skill does take time and requires everyone to be patient.

To find out more about sensory issues, have a look at our service information on the EA website.

Going to the toiletThis visual can be used to help with independence going to the toilet. It can be changed to suit your child.

Close the door Pull down trousers

Pull down pants

Sit on toilet Wipe with toilet roll

Pull up pants

Pull up trousers Flush toilet Wash hands

Washing handsThe visual from Centre of Autism Middletown illustrates the hand washing sequence.

Morning routine and dressingThese visuals provided by Living Well and Autism, helps your child become more independent when getting up and dressed each morning.

This resource can be accessed and printed out at Living Well With Autism website.

Bedtime routineBelow is an example of a checklist and visual schedule. Complete the visual schedule/checklist every night with your child (adapt this to suit your child’s bedtime routine)

Checklist

1. Put on Pyjamas2. Use the toilet3. Wash hands4. Brush Teeth5. Get a drink 6. Read a book 7. Get into bed8. Go to sleep

As your child completes each task, they can tick it.

Example visual schedule.

Brushing your teethThis visual can help your child to understand the routine of brushing their teeth.

This is from Living Well With Autism You can also find lots of other resources in relation to going to the dentist.

This checklist can also be useful to help your child be organised.

Toothbrush Toothpaste Put toothpaste on the brush Brush your teeth Rinse your mouth

Deodorant social storyThis visual is provided by Living Well with Autism. Your child may find this beneficial when they start to use deodorant.

This can be accessed at Living Well With Autism.

Shower/bathThis visual is provided by Living Well with Autism that your child may find beneficial when using the shower or bath.

This can be accessed at Living Well With Autism.

Self-Care ChecklistThis is a self-care checklist that is available from Boardmaker.

ChoresThe Centre for Autism, Middletown has resources available which are very useful for visual learners. Examples are setting the table, washing dishes to name but a few.

Other links

Belfast Heath and Social Care Trust

RISENI Bedtime Leaflet