What are daily living skills for autistic children?
Daily living skills are the everyday routines that help a child participate more independently at home, school, and in the community. They include dressing, washing hands, brushing teeth, eating, toileting, cleaning up, and following routines.
These skills can be hard because they involve language, motor planning, sensory tolerance, sequencing, and transitions. Teaching one small step at a time can make them more manageable.
What daily living skills should parents work on?
- Handwashing
- Toothbrushing
- Dressing and undressing
- Using utensils
- Cleaning up toys
- Putting shoes or clothes away
- Toileting routines
- Bedtime routines
Start with the routine that affects daily stress the most. One meaningful routine is better than ten inconsistent goals.
How do you break a daily living skill into steps?
Breaking a routine into steps is called task analysis. For handwashing, the steps might be: go to sink, turn on water, wet hands, get soap, rub hands, rinse, turn off water, dry hands.
Teach one step at a time. Some children do well starting with the first step. Others do better learning the last step first, so they end with success.
Daily living practice ideas
Dressing
Start with the easiest part of dressing, such as pushing arms through sleeves after you set up the shirt or pulling pants up after you help start them.
Cleanup
Begin with one item and one container. Say "put in," prompt if needed, then reinforce.
Toothbrushing
Start by tolerating the toothbrush near the mouth, then touching teeth, then brushing for short periods.
How should parents track daily living progress?
Track which steps your child completes independently, with a prompt, or not yet. This gives a clearer picture than simply marking the whole routine as done or not done.
Celebrate small changes. Completing one new step independently is real progress.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my child do a skill one day and not the next?
Fatigue, sensory stress, motivation, routine changes, and prompt differences can all affect performance. Look for patterns over time.
Should I use rewards for self-care?
Reinforcement can help build new routines. Over time, the routine itself may become more familiar and need less outside reward.
What if a skill has sensory barriers?
Go slowly, reduce the sensory demand, and consider support from an occupational therapist when sensory needs are significant.