Fall is here…my personal favourite season as we transition from the summer haze to the winter frost. Fall also means transition to new routines and new schedules. The question begs to be asked…do transitions rule the roost in your home? Transitions, from bed to the breakfast table, from the house to the car, or from playtime to bedtime, can be a caregiver’s struggle. Transitions are vulnerable to challenging behaviour, but we must make friends, as they are a necessary part of the day. As the weekend arrives, let’s talk about helpful ways to reign in the chaos of transitions and instead get set for smooth(er) sailing!
What is a transition?
Transition is change. Change is hard, even when we want the change to happen. For individuals with communication disorders, change can be:
• hard to understand
• hard to predict and prepare for
• accompanied by rushing or its opposite, long periods of W….A….I….T….I….N….G
• controlled by others in a bossy or commanding kind of way
With that list of descriptors, it is no wonder transition puts us at risk for challenging behaviour…
Why does challenging behaviour creep in when we transition?
The answer is not simple – there is a long list of factors that interfere with smooth transitions. Some of the most common ones are:
• the instructions about an upcoming transition were not clear and therefore the loved one is confused
• the loved one is not ready for, or motivated, to transition away from what he/she is currently doing
• there are too many transitions taking place in the day
• the loved one is feeling disempowered to make decisions and choices
What can be done to improve transitions?
Fortunately there are many helpful strategies that improve transition time:
• Plan and prepare: be sure to give advance notice with a clear instruction of what is going to happen (use a timer with an alarm to notify when it is time to tidy up)
• Use transitional objects to help communicate the change (e.g., give your loved one the car keys to hold as you head out to the car; give your loved one the grocery list to put in their pocket before leaving the house; have your loved one help pack the bag and put it by the door)
• Use a visual schedule – there is a fabulous list of resources compiled by CMAS about creating visual schedules if you need some help!
• Create motivation – if your loved one has a favourite song or artist, adjust your instructions to highlight that motivator (e.g., “__ is in the car! It’s time to go listen to __ in the car”)
• Review your schedule for the day and be critical by asking: Are there too many transitions? What can I do to reduce the number of transitions today?
If you are having difficulty communicating transitions to your loved one, seek out advice and suggestions from your speech-language pathologist. Caregiver associations can also be a wealth of resources and help to improve transitions for you and your family. Check out Caregivers Nova Scotia, or your local caregivers group for assistance and guidance.
Talk soon,
Julie
