Autism Strategies for Daily Life That Actually Help

Some days, autism can make the world feel too loud, too fast, and too confusing.

The good news? Small changes like a simple visual schedule or a clear routine can make life feel safer and easier.

This page is a toolbox of practical strategies you can use at home, school, or out in the community.

Here are a few links to sites of organisations and individuals dedicated to teaching individuals with autism and communication disabilities. What you will find is that everyone has different approaches and strategies. See which one is useful and take bits and pieces from here and there to help you.

Sites of Organisations and Individuals

TEACCH (Resources) – Helps families and teachers create a more predictable day, which can lower stress and build independence. TEACCH shares practical autism resources like worksheets and tools linked to structured teaching (think routines, visuals, and clearer expectations).

Tasks Galore – Gives you ready-to-copy task setups so learning feels more “doable” and less like worksheets. A big library of hands-on task ideas and books that show how to teach skills using structured, visual activities.

Shoebox Tasks – Supports independence, focus, and smoother classroom/home routines. Independent work tasks (“task boxes”) are designed to help kids practise skills on their own, step-by-step.

Learning Styles & Autism (Stephen M. Edelson, PhD) – Helps you choose strategies that match how the person understands information, so learning clicks faster. Explains how many autistic people learn best (often more visual/step-based) and what that means for teaching.

IRCA Articles Hub (Indiana Resource Center for Autism) – Trustworthy, practical guidance you can share with parents/teachers without overwhelming them. A huge collection of plain-English articles on autism support strategies across home, school, and community life.

IRCA Visual Supports – Helps reduce confusion and anxiety by making instructions and routines clear and visible. A focused section on visual supports (like schedules, visuals for behaviour, and structure).

Temple Grandin Teaching Tips (via IRCA) – Gives simple changes that often lead to calmer behaviour and better learning. A list of teaching tips with a strong “real world” approach (clear instructions, visual thinking, strengths-based support).

Raising Children Network (Visual Supports – Australia) – Super parent-friendly, and great for schools too — perfect for people who want a quick, reliable explanation. Aussie-based guidance on what visual supports are, how to use them, and why they help.

Amaze (Australia) – Helps families feel less alone and find local support pathways and reliable information. A leading Australian autism organisation with resources, education, and support info.

Autism CRC (Australia) – Great when you want strategies backed by research, not trends or opinions. Australia’s major autism research centre with evidence-informed resources and projects.

Speech Teach – Gives fun, practical activities to build communication skills at home or school. A resource site with speech and language games, worksheets, and downloads for kids with speech/learning difficulties.

SET-BC Visual Schedule Systems (PDF) – A simple, printable reference that schools and parents can follow step-by-step. A visual schedule guide explaining what visual schedules are and how to use them with students.

Do2Learn (How to Use Visual Schedules) – Helps you implement visuals properly, not just download them and get stuck. Shows how to set up and use visual schedules in real life (with practical tips).

AFIRM Visual Supports (Brief Packet PDF) – Perfect for teachers/therapists who want an evidence-based guide they can use straight away. A structured “how-to” packet on visual supports (what they are, why they work, and how to apply them).

Many autistic people do best when things are:

Clear (what’s happening, what comes next)
Predictable (less guessing)
Visual (pictures, written words, steps)

That’s why you’ll see a big theme here: show it, don’t just say it.

You don’t need fancy tools to start. You can use paper, photos on your phone, sticky notes, or free printable cards.

1) Visual schedules (the “what’s next?” lifesaver)

A visual schedule is a set of pictures/words that shows what will happen (or the steps in one activity). It can reduce anxiety and help with transitions.

Try this:

Start with just 3–5 steps (not the whole day).

Add a Finished box, so the person can move items across as they’re done.

If plans change, update the schedule (so trust stays strong).

Free help:

SET-BC Visual Schedule Systems (PDF)

Do2Learn visual schedule guide

2) “First–Then” (simple, powerful)

This is one of the easiest supports:

First: hard thing
Then: preferred thing (reward/choice)

It helps when motivation is low or when tasks feel overwhelming. Visual supports like this are widely used because they make expectations clear.

3) Structured teaching (less chaos, more independence)

Structured teaching is about making the environment make sense:

Physical structure (clear spaces)
Schedules
Work systems
Visual structure (tasks that “show” what to do)

Great places to learn and borrow ideas:

4) Choice boards (more control, fewer meltdowns)

A choice board shows options visually. It can help with:

asking for a break
choosing food/activities
picking how to do a task

It also reduces guesswork and power struggles (because the choices are clear).

5) Communication supports (especially when words are hard)

When someone is stressed, words can disappear. Visual supports, pictures, and AAC options can help them still be heard.

Good starting points:

6) Teaching tips that still hold up (Temple Grandin)

Temple Grandin’s tips are practical and easy to understand—especially around:

thinking visually
keeping instructions short
building on strengths

7) A “calm plan” for big feelings

When emotions explode, teaching won’t work in that moment. A calm plan is about support first, learning later.

Build a calm plan with 3 parts:

Early signs (pacing, humming, shutting down)
Helpful tools (quiet spot, headphones, drink of water, weighted item)
A recovery step (simple routine: sit, breathe, drink, then rejoin)

(If you’re working with a school, aim for the same calm plan at home and at school so it feels familiar.)

Action Plan: Start here (10-minute checklist)

Pick one goal for the next week:

Make a mini visual schedule for one routine (morning, shower, bedtime).

Add a First–Then card for one tough task.

Create a choice board with 4 options (including “break”).

Set up one independent work task (match, sort, pack, wipe, clip, stack). Use examples from Tasks Galore or Shoebox Tasks.