| Home | Site TOC | Site Search | VMI |

Why are routines worth the trouble?

by Millie Smith

The power of a routine is the precise planning of what the student will do and how he will do it in on each step of the routine. Many students are able to learn new skills and participate at higher levels when this strategy is used because they need the following things that routines provide.

Predictability:"I know what is going to happen from start to finish."

Consistency: "I know what I am supposed to do."

Anticipation: "When you do that, I know to get ready for."

Practice: "I remember what I did Last time and I can try to do more this time."

Students with severe disabilities rarely do every step of a routine independently, but they are afforded the dignity of doing everything that they are cognitively and physically capable of doing.

Agency Contact Information | Texas State Homepage | Texas State Wide Search

Please complete the comment form or send comments and suggestions to: Jim Allan (Webmaster-Jim Allan)