Daily routines form the backbone of a safe, structured environment for individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). When combined with Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy principles, these routines can become powerful tools for promoting independence, reducing anxiety, and ensuring safety across all areas of daily living. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore how ABA therapy supports the development of safer daily routines and provide practical strategies for families navigating this journey.
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) has emerged as the gold standard treatment for autism spectrum disorder, with more than 20 studies establishing that intensive and long-term therapy using ABA principles improves outcomes for many children with autism, with programs providing 25 to 40 hours a week of therapy for 1 to 3 years showing gains in intellectual functioning, language development, daily living skills and social functioning.
Research has shown that ABA therapy has an over 89% success rate in treating autism spectrum disorder in children, being highly effective in improving IQ scores, communication skills, and language skills. This impressive success rate underscores the importance of integrating ABA principles into daily routines to maximize therapeutic benefits.
The need for effective daily routine support has never been more critical. About 1 in 31 (3.2%) children aged 8 years has been identified with ASD according to estimates from CDC’s ADDM Network. This represents a significant increase from previous years, highlighting the growing need for evidence-based interventions like ABA therapy.
The diversity of the autism spectrum means that the abilities of people with ASD can vary significantly – some people with ASD may have advanced conversation skills whereas others may be nonverbal, and some people with ASD need a lot of help in their daily lives while others can work and live with little to no support.
Daily living skills are fundamental to independent functioning and safety. Daily living skills (DLS), such as personal hygiene, meal preparation, and money management, are important to independent living, with research suggesting that many individuals with autism spectrum disorder exhibit impairments in daily living skills relative to their cognitive skills.
Research tracking individuals from childhood through early adulthood reveals concerning patterns. Skill levels for both groups of young adults with autism spectrum disorder remained considerably below age level expectations, with the “High-DLS” group gaining approximately 12 years in daily living skills from T2 to T21, while the “Low-DLS” group’s daily living skills improved only 3–4 years over the 16- to 19-year study period.
Safety awareness represents one of the most critical aspects of daily routine development for individuals with ASD. People with disabilities can be at higher risk for injuries and abuse, making it important for parents and other family members to teach their loved one how to stay safe and what to do if they feel threatened or have been hurt in any way.
For individuals with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), safety awareness and risk management are critical autism life skills that help individuals identify dangers, respect emergency procedures, and avoid unsafe situations, with the ability to identify potential dangers and understanding emergency procedures being essential life skills that can be lifesaving.
Children with autism often thrive when their environment offers predictability and structure, as consistent routines help reduce uncertainty, which can cause anxiety and behavioral challenges, and by establishing clear, familiar patterns, children learn what to expect next, which fosters a sense of safety and security.
Research has consistently highlighted the positive impact of daily routines on individuals with autism, with studies indicating that children who have established routines have a 47% likelihood of maintaining robust social-emotional health as they grow older, providing predictability and stability that can be particularly helpful in managing anxiety-inducing situations.
The integration of ABA therapy into daily routines creates a seamless therapeutic environment. In ABA therapy, routines serve as a foundation for effective learning, and regular routines facilitate reinforcement of learned behaviors, ensuring that skills are practiced and maintained across different contexts.
Visual schedules play a vital role in helping children participating in ABA therapy by providing a visual overview of their daily routines, helping children understand what activities are coming next and reducing feelings of uncertainty and anxiety, and for children with autism or communication challenges, visual schedules serve as an effective tool to enhance receptive language skills while fostering independence by enabling children to manage their routines with minimal guidance from adults.
Creating a structured morning routine sets the tone for the entire day. Begin by listing your child’s key daily activities—such as therapy sessions, meals, playtime, learning, and quiet time, and try to schedule activities at the same time each day.
Key components of a safe morning routine include:
Everyday life is full of learning experiences, with mealtime, bedtime, getting dressed, and brushing teeth each offering opportunities to reinforce skills learned in therapy. Mealtimes provide excellent opportunities to practice:
Daily structure includes bedtime routines, which are important for helping children wind down and get the rest they need, as quality sleep supports focus, learning, and emotional balance. Evening routines should prioritize:
Involving families in establishing and maintaining routines ensures continuity across settings, and this consistency promotes the generalization of skills, meaning children can apply what they learn in therapy to everyday situations.
As a parent, you don’t need to be perfect – you just need to be present, patient, and open to learning alongside your child, and by weaving ABA strategies into your family’s daily life, you’re supporting your child’s growth, which more than anything is what makes the biggest difference.
While consistency is crucial, flexibility remains equally important. Consistency forms the backbone of any routine, yet adaptability remains crucial, and integrating flexible elements within structured routines allows individuals to navigate day-to-day life with a sense of security while addressing both the need for predictability and the necessity of adapting when circumstances shift, fostering resilience.
The good news for families seeking ABA therapy support is that insurance coverage has expanded significantly. Insurance coverage for ABA therapy has become more widespread over the years, with at least 200 million people now having coverage for ABA therapy, and most insurance plans cover autism therapy, including ABA therapy, and autism evaluations, with a federal mandate requiring insurance companies in all 50 U.S. states to provide coverage for services like ABA therapy for individuals with an autism diagnosis.
Without insurance, ABA therapy costs can be substantial. Without insurance coverage, ABA therapy costs can range from $62,400 to $249,600 per year, with monthly costs ranging from $4,800 to over $20,000, and weekly costs starting at $1,200 and going up to $4,800. However, insurance coverage can significantly reduce the cost of ABA therapy, making it much more accessible to families.
Personal care and hygiene are integral components of the autism life skills necessary for individuals with ASD to lead a healthy lifestyle, encompassing activities like showering, washing face, putting on deodorant, and brushing hair, which not only promote cleanliness and good health but also instill a sense of independence and responsibility.
Teaching and practicing travel training including pedestrian safety, identifying signs and other important safety markers, and becoming familiar with public transportation is essential. Additional safety considerations include:
Executive functioning skills are a crucial aspect of autism life skills, encompassing a range of cognitive processes that are essential for daily functioning and independence, and for individuals with ASD, these skills may present particular challenges, but with focused training and practice, improvements can be made.
Modern visual scheduler tools provide a convenient and versatile way to incorporate visual supports into daily routines, offering flexibility, interactivity, and customization options that can cater to the unique needs of individuals with autism, and incorporating visual schedules and utilizing modern visual scheduler tools can greatly contribute to the establishment of structured routines.
Technology can enhance routine implementation through:
Receiving greater than 20 hours of parent-implemented intervention before age 3 was associated with daily living skills trajectory, and results suggest that daily living skills should be a focus of treatment plans for individuals with autism spectrum disorder, particularly adolescents transitioning to young adulthood.
The structured nature of ABA allows for continuous assessment and adjustment, ensuring that the approach remains beneficial as the child grows and their needs evolve. Regular evaluation should include:
Routines can promote self-sufficiency and independence for individuals with autism by providing structure and predictability, enabling individuals to complete tasks without constant external guidance, which helps build their confidence and autonomy, allowing them to take ownership of their daily activities.
For individuals with autism, transitions can be challenging, but routines offer a clear structure for transitioning from one activity to another, making these shifts smoother and less distressing, and by incorporating visual supports, such as visual schedules or timers, individuals can better understand the sequence of events and anticipate upcoming changes.
When children resist routine implementation, consider:
Motivation is a key part of ABA therapy, and including your child’s favorite activities throughout the day can make learning more enjoyable and engaging, such as using puzzles or building blocks as part of their learning process if your child loves these activities.
Real-world environments are perfect for practicing generalization, and there are ways to help your child respond well when your daily routine takes you out and about. Community preparation includes:
The findings demonstrate that the applied behavior analysis program significantly improves the social, communicative, and daily life skills of institutionalized children with autism spectrum disorder, with ABA interventions delivered through structured sessions effectively enhancing emotional and social development.
The transition from high school to adulthood can be especially challenging for a person with ASD, with many important, life-changing decisions to make, such as whether to go to college or vocational school or enter the workforce, making it important to begin thinking about this transition in childhood with educational transition plans preferably by age 14, but no later than age 16.
The principles learned through ABA-supported daily routines create a foundation for lifelong success. If comprehensive ABA-based treatments lead to higher levels of adaptive behavior and intellectual functioning, they would decrease the differences between the developmental and actual age of children on the autistic spectrum in these areas, and improvements of this kind can make major differences in the daily life of the children and their families.
Creating safer daily routines with ABA therapy support represents a comprehensive approach to promoting independence, safety, and quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The evidence clearly demonstrates that structured, ABA-informed routines can significantly impact developmental outcomes and daily functioning.
The key to success lies in understanding that each individual with ASD is unique, requiring personalized approaches that balance structure with flexibility, safety with independence, and therapeutic goals with family values. By implementing the strategies outlined in this guide and working closely with qualified professionals, families can create sustainable daily routines that support long-term success and well-being.
The journey of creating effective daily routines is ongoing, requiring patience, consistency, and adaptation as individuals grow and develop. However, with the strong foundation provided by ABA therapy principles and the growing support from insurance coverage and community resources, families have more tools than ever to support their loved ones in achieving their full potential.
Remember that progress may be gradual, but every small step forward in developing safer, more independent daily routines contributes to a brighter, more autonomous future. The investment in structured, ABA-supported daily routines today creates the foundation for lifelong success and independence tomorrow.