Last week was crazy. And this is partly my own fault because I let the routine slack and thought I could shoehorn too many things into my day.
In the latest meeting with Jude’s social worker team, we touched on how important routine is to Jude. I’m sure many people with an SEND young person in their family can relate to this.
He’s got so many funny routine-related quirks – his pre-bedtime yoghurt for example. He has to have a yoghurt in the evening or he’s not a happy bunny. Run out of yoghurts at your peril!
My mum and I often laugh when something nearly veers towards a new ‘thing’. Naturally we do our best to stop any potentially challenging routines accidentally becoming a new norm.
The biggest one we’ve initiated is his Saturday lunchtime date with granny. My poor mum can now literally never do anything on a Saturday unless it fits around their lunch. Ha!
But while we laugh at some of the funnier routines we end up falling into, there are huge benefits to having strong routines with SEND young people and adults.
- Predictability reduces anxiety: Consistent routines help SEND young people and adults feel secure and calm by knowing what to expect each day.
- Supports independence: Clear, repeated structures build confidence and self-reliance in daily tasks.
- Improves focus and learning: Predictable environments reduce distractions and help children engage better with activities.
- Encourages emotional regulation: Regular routines provide stability, making it easier to manage transitions and emotions.
- Builds trust and safety: Consistent patterns strengthen trust between children, caregivers, and educators.
Our individual routines are unique to a situation but are hugely important to the person involved. Whatever routines you may have in place – what time you read a book, eat dinner, have a bath – all builds up to help keep you regulated.
I know I laugh at Jude’s habits but I can see their merit. So long may the pre-bed yoghurt continue.
Adios!
