Parents and guardians everywhere work hard to help their kids start the day off on the right foot. We wake our children up gently, plan a nutritious breakfast, and do our best to transition our kids from home to school. Or at least we try our very best.
The cadence of the morning sets the tone for the day, so it’s worthwhile to invest some time to establish a morning routine that sets your child up for success. As ABA therapists, we talk a lot about routines because the predictability that a good routine offers can provide comfort and stability and minimize problem behaviors for a child with autism or other special needs.
As we approach the end of the school year and begin to establish summer schedules—some of which may even carry into the next school year—for our families, consider making ABA therapy part of your morning routine. Here are a few reasons to start your day with ABA.
The Benefits of ABA Therapy in the Morning
We’ve already talked about the importance of a predictable morning routine, but the actual routine itself matters, too. Who doesn’t like to start the day with a little extra help in an environment that’s built to accommodate just you? ABA therapy sets up a structured environment that allows children with autism or other developmental disabilities to acquire the same fundamental skills as their peers.
Morning therapy sessions also take advantage of your child’s natural energy levels. Have you ever noticed that your kiddo has a bit more energy earlier in the day? ABA therapy can channel that energy into learning in an environment your child is comfortable in. And doing therapy in the morning when your child is well rested often translates into better focus and more learning.
Scheduling ABA therapy sessions in the morning also (and this one’s for the parents!) lets you avoid the long afternoon waitlists. After school sessions book up quickly, so working ABA into your morning routine means a shorter wait to get an appointment – and we know well the value of early intervention.
And if you’re wondering how (or if you even can) continue a morning therapy routine once the school year resumes, we can help. If you think your child with autism could benefit from a shortened school day with ABA therapy in the morning instead of in the afternoon, it’s possible to modify your child’s IEP.
At Innovative Behavior Options, we partner with families to promote independence, increase adaptive skills, and decrease potential maladaptive behaviors. Let’s work together to schedule behavior therapy that works for your family. Give us a call at 770-250-0093 to see how we can help.