Here are some strategies to assist teens and children with FASD to develop routines in daily activities.

1. Decide which parts of your day need routines. Some ideas are wake up and bedtime
routines, mealtime routines, when to watch TV, play, or do chores. Simple routines
like sitting in the same seat at the table or in the car are important.

2. It is important for parents and caregivers to have routines in their own lives if they
want to help children with FASD develop routines. Adults who have good routines
have more energy to teach children how to develop good routines and habits.

3. Keep routines simple and basic. Develop routines that build on your child’s strengths.

4. Think and plan ahead. Think about what could go wrong and make changes to the
environment. For example, it can be noisy and confusing for a child when the entry
bell rings at school. Having an adult routinely meet the child with FASD at the door to
lead them through the maze of children to their classroom can be helpful.

5. When asking your child or teen to do something use the same plain and simple phrase
each time, “Sandra, time to get ready for bed.”

6. Teach the steps of a task in the same order every time. For example when doing the
dishes, teach the child to use 3 steps: scrape, rinse, and wash in hot soapy water. Your
child may not understand why they should scrape the food off the plate, but we know
it’s a good way to do dishes.

7. For some children the first way they learn something is the only way they can
successfully do something. Always plan for the future when you teach a child with
FASD a new skill. They may not be able to change a routine once it is locked in their
brain.

8. Routines help children and teens with FASD to succeed and feel good about their life.

Reference: FASD Support Network of Saskatchewan Inc. (n.d.).
FASD Tips for Parents and Caregivers Numbers 1-20. https://lcfasd.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/FASD-Tips-for-Parents-and-Caregivers-1-20.pdf