Make A Plan

Once you've identified your child's most pressing behaviors and reset your expectations, it's time to create a plan. A well-structured, personalized plan brings clarity, lowers stress, and fosters consistent support at home, school, and in the community. For many neurodivergent children, predictability and routine can make a big difference in how they engage and cope with the world around them.

Why Planning Matters

A clear plan turns understanding into action. Instead of reacting to challenging moments in the heat of the moment, you’re ready with tools, language, and support systems in place. It’s not about having all the answers—it's about setting up a structure that evolves with your child.

What a Support Plan Might Include

Every family’s plan will look different, but a comprehensive support plan typically includes:

  • Target behaviors and how to respond to them.

  • Daily routines and transitions with supports built in.

  • Sensory accommodations, if needed (e.g., noise-canceling headphones, fidget tools).

  • Emotional regulation tools (like calm-down corners or emotion cards).

  • Communication strategies—especially important for non-speaking or selectively verbal children.

  • Support team contacts and when to reach out.

Collaborate with Your Team

You don’t have to do this alone—and you shouldn’t. Include the people who interact with your child regularly:

  • Teachers (general and special education)

  • Therapists (speech, occupational, behavioral, mental health)

  • School counselors, aides, or case managers

  • Family members, babysitters, and other caregivers

Ask:

  • What’s already working for my child in other settings?

  • How can we align strategies across home and school?

  • How will we measure progress and adapt the plan?

Example:

If your child uses a visual schedule at school to transition between tasks, replicate it at home for morning and bedtime routines.

Define Specific Strategies

Instead of vague goals like “help my child behave,” break your plan into specific actions:

Challenge Strategy Tool or Action Meltdowns during transitions Use a visual timer + a 5-minute countdown script Time Timer app, transition cards Difficulty with focus during homework Break tasks into chunks with short breaks in between Pomodoro timer, sticker reward chart Overwhelm in noisy places Create a sensory kit to carry Headphones, chewy necklace, weighted lap pad

Prepare for Challenging Moments (Contingency Planning)

Even the best-laid plans will be tested—kids have off days, and so do adults. Including “Plan B” options helps everyone stay calmer when things go sideways.

Examples of contingency planning:

  • If my child refuses to leave the park → Give a 2-minute warning, offer a transition object (like a fidget toy or snack), and provide two choices: “Walk or scooter?”

  • If a meltdown happens at the store → Have a go-bag with headphones and a favorite snack. Practice exiting calmly without punishment.

Real-Life Example:

Meet David, a 9-year-old with sensory processing challenges. His parents noticed that morning transitions were a daily stress point. After identifying this as a priority, they created a plan:

  • A picture schedule for the morning routine.

  • A 5-minute countdown using a sand timer.

  • A calming song playlist played while dressing and eating.

  • A “reward card” system where David earns a marble each time he completes a step without resistance, earning a Friday bike ride.

Over a month, mornings shifted from chaos to calm—not perfect, but manageable.

Final Thought

Your plan doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be personalized, flexible, and shared. Think of it as a living document. As your child grows and changes, so will the plan. You’re building a roadmap, not a rigid rulebook.