Tips for Home Success

Practical, evidence-based strategies and activities to help your child thrive at home. Every family's journey is unique -- these tips are here to support yours.

"Every child is a different kind of flower, and all together, they make this world a beautiful garden."

Creating a Home Success Environment

Small, consistent changes at home can make a big difference. These four strategies form the foundation of a supportive environment for your child.

Establish Predictable Routines

Use visual schedules, timers, and consistent daily sequences so your child knows what to expect. Predictability reduces anxiety and builds confidence.

Implement Visual Supports

Try First-Then boards for transitions, picture checklists for multi-step tasks, and token boards for motivation. Visual supports make abstract expectations concrete.

Designate Sensory-Safe Spaces

Set up a calm-down corner with soft lighting, noise-reducing headphones, weighted items, and fidget tools. This gives your child a place to self-regulate.

Focus on Positive Reinforcement

Celebrate effort, not just outcomes. Use specific praise ("You put your shoes on all by yourself!"), preferred activities, or small rewards to encourage growth.

Learning Activities by Age Group

Select an age group below to see activity ideas you can do at home. Every child develops at their own pace -- choose what fits best.

Sensory Bins

Fill bins with rice, dried pasta, water beads, or kinetic sand. Hide small toys inside for discovery. This develops fine motor skills, tactile tolerance, and exploratory play.

Picture Books and Social Stories

Read social stories together about everyday situations (visiting the dentist, making a friend). Pause to discuss feelings and choices. This builds comprehension and social understanding.

Movement Breaks

Schedule short bursts of jumping, dancing, or animal walks between learning activities. Movement breaks help regulate energy and improve focus for the next task.

Choice Boards

Offer a board with 4-6 activity options (read, draw, build, play outside). Giving choices increases engagement and teaches decision-making skills.

Social Role-Play

Practice real-life scenarios through pretend play -- ordering at a restaurant, greeting a neighbor, resolving a disagreement. Use puppets or action figures if face-to-face feels too intense.

Fine Motor Crafts

Beading, cutting, folding origami, or using playdough all strengthen hand muscles and coordination while being creative and calming.

Executive Function Coaching

Introduce planners, to-do lists, and time-blocking techniques. Practice breaking large assignments into smaller steps. Use visual timers to build time awareness.

Cooking as Learning

Follow visual recipes together. Cooking teaches math (measuring), sequencing, safety awareness, and results in a tangible reward -- a meal your child helped create.

Collaborative Board Games

Choose cooperative games where players work together toward a shared goal. This builds turn-taking, teamwork, flexible thinking, and graceful handling of wins and losses.

Self-Advocacy Skills

Help your teen practice communicating their needs: requesting accommodations, explaining sensory preferences, and asking for help. Role-play IEP meetings and job interviews together.

Community Safety Training

Practice navigating public spaces, using public transit, recognizing safe vs. unsafe situations, and knowing who to ask for help. Use visual checklists and repeated real-world practice.

Money Management

Use real coins and bills for hands-on practice. Set up a simple budget for a weekly allowance. Practice making purchases, counting change, and understanding value in everyday shopping trips.

Innovative Tools for Success

The right tools can empower your child toward greater independence and self-regulation. Here are some categories to explore.

Communication Aids

  • AAC Apps -- Augmentative and Alternative Communication apps (e.g., Proloquo2Go, TouchChat) let children express needs through icons and speech output.
  • Picture Exchange (PECS) -- Children hand a picture card to a communication partner to make requests, building intentional communication.
  • Communication Boards -- Low-tech boards with core vocabulary displayed for quick pointing and partner-assisted scanning.

Regulatory Tools

  • Noise-Canceling Headphones -- Reduce overwhelming auditory input in loud environments like stores, classrooms, or family gatherings.
  • Weighted Lap Pads -- Provide calming deep-pressure input during seated activities like homework or mealtimes.
  • Chewelry -- Safe, wearable chew necklaces and bracelets satisfy the need for oral sensory input without damaging clothing or objects.

Independence Builders

  • Task Analysis for Chores -- Break tasks like "clean your room" into picture-based micro-steps: 1) Put toys in bin, 2) Place books on shelf, 3) Put dirty clothes in hamper.
  • Visual Timers -- Time Timer or sand timers give a concrete visual of "how much time is left" for transitions and work periods.
  • Self-Monitoring Checklists -- Let your child check off completed steps independently, building ownership and self-esteem.

Crisis Resources

If you or someone you know is in crisis, please reach out for help immediately.

  • 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988 (available 24/7)
  • Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741
  • Autism Society Helpline: 1-800-328-8476
  • Emergency Services: Call 911 for immediate danger

You are not alone. These services are free and confidential.