Creating a goal-specific roadmap for your autistic child can have long-lasting effects that go far beyond their learning years. Most parents will admit that parenting an autistic child can have its ups and downs, and rightfully so. Having clear and concise goals gives you something to work towards as well as gives you guidance.
There are times when a few bad days can make a month’s worth of progress look foggy. On the other hand, focusing on one skill for too long can hinder other ones. Being an autism parent isn’t easy is an understatement.
This is why it’s important to consider having an autism action plan. Within this plan, you’ll be able to see your child’s path more clearly. It also helps you stay on the path for Affording Autism. No one wants to throw money at therapies or items that aren’t going to get us gains where we need them most.
Practical Tips for Creating Goals For Autism
No matter how big or how small, goals should always be achievable. They should also be observable in a way where they can be measured in terms of progression. Observable also means specific. Instead of just writing down, “My child will be happy during his morning routine,” be more specific by writing, “My child will work through his morning routine without any negative behaviors 80% of the time.”
Think of the plan as your at home IEP. Take time to form objectives for your goals, regardless of whether they are short term or long term. The short term goals are initially the smaller tasks that work together to complete the overall goal. If not having a negative behavior is the overall goal, then smaller tasks such as, “My child will listen to a story without interrupting” can be a doable task.
Creating goals for autism helps you know and visualize what you’re working toward. They help you keep track of improvements and note where adjustments need to be made. They give you a purpose for where to spend your limited time, money, and resources for helping your autistic child. They also give you hope. Even slow progress is still progress. Progress brings hope.
How to Set Goals Using the Autism Action Plan
The specially created Autism Action Plan has been designed in a way to give you a roadmap for weeks, months, and years ahead. The overall objective is to help your autistic child meet long term, far reaching goals by breaking them down into smaller more achievable tasks. It helps you see the big picture for your child’s future.
When using the Autism Action plan, you’ll start with a profile about your child. It’s important to put the child first when making goals. This profile should include chronological age, developmental age, likes, dislikes, and a recent picture of your child. Your child is a person first. Always remember that when making any decision.
With this paper in hand, you can begin creating what’s called a 10 Year Roadmap. You start with making a 10 year goal. Remember to keep these goals and descriptions applicable and realistic. I wouldn’t make a 10 year goal for Logan to skydive successfully. He hates flying and heights. I would make a 10 year goal for Logan to live independently in his own apartment with needed supports. He will be in his thirties in ten years and it’s a goal he would like to achieve.
Working backwards, you’ll begin to note current tasks that will work toward your 5-10 plan. What should Logan be able to do in 5 years that will make his 10 year goal attainable? Those become his 5 year goals. What should Logan be able to do in a year that will help him achieve his 5 year goals? Those become his 1 year goals. Then break those down into what should we be working on now to achieve those 1 year goals.
For each goal, it’s important to create an action plan for success. Try not to combine goals. Instead, break them down so that creating the action plan will be easier as well as attainable. Every goal has steps needed to achieve them all the way down to short term goals.
Once you have it all figured out, then get started. Every skill your child achieves for himself makes him safer in the long run. Not everyone will have their bests interests at heart. Even if living independently is not in your wheelhouse, there are tasks you can work on to improve their quality of life as well as your family’s. Reach for the moon. If you fail, you’ll land in the stars.
