Mornings can be rough for the best of us. For a child who is sensory challenged, it can be particularly difficult to get going in the morning and be ready for school on time. Establishing predictable routines with clear expectations can help your child stay organized and reduce conflict that can arise when you and your child become stressed.

Alarming: Some children need time to themselves before they can handle being around other people, even family members. Get your child his own alarm clock, or two, so he can take responsibility for himself. This can help reduce confrontations that may occur with repeated parental reminders to get out of bed. Another way to get going in the morning is to wake up your mouth. Try a mint sucking candy or drinking from a bottle with a sports top.

Music to match the mood: Play rock music with a heavy beat to get your child up and running. Calming classical music is a good choice for soothing the school jitters.

Slow movers: Set a timer as your child completes his morning routine to help him manage time. For example, if he seems to get lost in the shower, set the timer for 10 minutes and make it clear that he is expected to be out of the shower when time is up.

Wanderers: If your child seems to be wandering around aimlessly in the morning, or seems unsure of what he should be doing, create a visual organizer such as a flow chart with pictures to show what to do and where to go next. Alternate an easy or fun activity with ones that are more difficulty or dreaded to perform. Include your child in the process by drawing the pictures and organizing the sequence.

Rewards: Make a sticker chart and award a sticker to reinforce good behavior. For example, if your child got out of bed on his own or got out of the shower in a timely fashion. Plan with your child how many stickers he needs to earn a small prize.

Blog written by: Aviva Goldwasser, MS, OTR

Chaye Lamm-Warburg, MA, OTR, Director POTS