TIPS FOR SPECIAL NEEDS CHILDREN

Kristen Koba-Burdt, director of clinical operations at the Behavioral Health Support Office at Hawaii’s BAYADA Home Health Care, offered tips and guidance to families with children with autism amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Koba-Burdt is a licensed and board-certified behavior analyst.

■ Create a structured schedule. Develop a schedule that works for the needs of everyone in the household. Take into consideration any work-fromhome requirements, and “what your child can do successfully during this time, such as a preferred leisure activity,” Koba-Burdt said. Creating a daily schedule “allows your child to know what to expect.”

■ Use visual supports. Customize to your child’s needs. Some children may do well with items written out, whereas others may need pictures, she said. There’s a variety of apps available for creating activity schedules, as well as using online images or photographs taken at home. “Visual supports can help with the scheduled structure of the day,” she said. “If you’re working with your child on school activities, use visuals to structure what tasks they need to complete as well as steps within the tasks.”

■ Use visual/auditory reminders. “Items such as timers can be beneficial in helping a child transition from one activity to the next,” she said.

■ Keep preferred items on hand. Rotate toys and other preferred items. Watch for signs that may signify a child getting bored with a toy or activity and swap out when needed.

■ Motivation. Completing tasks, like school work and activities, and following up with preferred items, snacks, fun activities or a break, will help the child stay motivated, Koba-Burdt said.