Guiding Principles

Guiding Principles in Planning Ryan's day

1) Avoid huge chunks of time of not doing anything – every hour Ryan does some chores.

2) Balance of work and play – the rest of the time he is free to use his iPad.

3) Identification of new tasks to teach: 
Whatever we “DO FOR” Ryan – think about how we can “DO WITH” Ryan.  

We aim for Ryan to be as independent as possible in each task, but need not be completely independent.

4) Task focus is mainly:
Taking care of SELF : Ryan’s self-help skills, and 

Taking care of FAMILY : how Ryan can contribute to the family.

When supporting Ryan in his daily routines:

Use of Visual schedule

“The most important to teach, is the routine of following the visual supports”
~ paraphrasing Professor Gary Mesibov, Division TEACCH, University of North Carolina.

Using visual schedules is a MUST, even when Ryan appears to have memorized the routines.

Some of his routines change regularly -- depending on what his learning goals are and what chores need to be done.

With visual schedules, these changes mean changing what is arranged in Ryan’s schedule. There is no need to tell Ryan, he has been taught to follow and refer to it – thus increasing his level of independence.

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Alternating “light” and “heavy” Tasks

In setting up his schedules, alternate between "heavy" and “light" tasks. "Heavy" are tasks that he still need supervision & also require him to focus more and demand more work stamina. "Light tasks” are those that he can finish on his own very quickly. The list of heavy and light tasks is pasted at the side of the schedule cupboard.

Reason: Ryan is impulsive and his work stamina is weak, but his focus during task is intense. The alternating “light” and “heavy” task breaks up the effort required and thus ease up focus intensity. This also then enables Ryan’s work duration (stamina) to be longer, without getting agitated.

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Number of Tasks to Set Up

Typically, we set up 4 to 5 tasks in each hourly schedule. This is taking into account his work stamina and his mood / condition that day.

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Positive End to Each Hourly Schedule

Usually a "reward" e.g.- iPad, cold water, snack etc are placed as the last item in his hourly schedule to make it a positive ending.

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Message to present and future caregivers
What I want for Ryan’s future

My promise to Ryan
that he will lead a life worth living.

A life that:
“Allows him the maximum level of Choice and Control
His days filled with genuine choices and interests
Has a balance of Work and Play
He is surrounded by people who loves him”

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