A week at a glance

	Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
Morning	-----------	OT	ST	OT	ST	OT	PT
afternoon	ST/PT	SI/ST	FT	SI	FT	ST	PT
evening	FT	PT	ST	PT	OT/PT	SI	FT

I've read that unschooling children with autism can be a beautiful and peaceful experience, which makes sense because they tend to be very strong willed with their interests and goals. If you go against these, you face meltdowns or worse. I've witnessed my children in both 100% adult-led or child-led environments, and scenarios; neither of which had positive results, however may seem so at the time. My oldest attended school in a contained class with a higher level of structure than is seen in typical kindergarten classes today. We saw him come home exhausted, dissociated from family life, and uninterested in anything but video games and tv. I've also read about how many children with autism crave structure and cling to it for personal security.

This here is the framework I'm starting with to ensure that we cover all our autism-related treatments throughout the week. Notice there are no times listed. That's because we must stay flexible in our home. If there is a meltdown, it could take some time to cool things off. If a child is having a sick day, activities and lesson plans need to change.

* FT stands for Floortime. This is when we play With them, and make it as engaging, comfortable, and a learning experience. In this area I include activities such as playgroups and home group games and play. Also for expanding their adaptability to different ages, personalities, and roles. Learning to express in traditional extroverted ways, that are generally acceptable and understandable by everyone.

* SI stands for Sensory Integration. (my anxieties typically revolve around this aspect) This is where we focus on sensory issues, and living normal lives in and out of the house, gaining awareness of self and regulating responses to the environment. This is a big deal, no matter where they go they will always be around people or environments that will not agree with them. Positive responses, respect, and expression of needs.. HUGE challenge, but so worth it.

* ST stands for speech therapy. This is a given, we work on expressive language, social skills, and reward with receptive language skills (story time, cartoons, music, etc).

* PT stands for physio therapy. This is simple. Being active, and conversely being calm.

* OT stands for occupational therapy. We all know this one, the dreaded fine motor skills. Some kids don't mind it, mine have the strongest aversion to this.

I use this system as a reminder of what area of play or learning I need to focus on training. This is the autism part of my homeschooling program.