Learning how to do simple chores that gradually increase in complexity teaches organizational and other critical life skills. These steps build to what a person needs as a teen and young adult to reach their full potential and live in the appropriate housing setting for their needs.

Cleaning up or doing other chores is an important part of life and taking responsibility, which are the first seeds of employment skills for when older. If possible, try to connect the chores to something they enjoy, like caring for a pet or cleaning the sink if they like the feeling of water. Pair chores with something enjoyable like listening to music.

Tips to Help You Get Started

Start small with simple tasks with simple steps and then build on that. Be aware that autistic children may not transfer a task in one setting to another, so explaining and watching for signs of understanding can be helpful. Before you do the next step, ask your child what comes next?

Using a visual checklist is very helpful and serves as a tool your child can engage with. Take a picture of the step by step list that they can flip through. You could attach a dry erase pen with velcro once they are past the stage you’d worry about them writing on counters or walls.

When your child does a good job or makes good progress, reinforce with praise.

Incorporating your child into your daily routines is important for building skills. Give them developmentally appropriate tasks such as drying off plastic plates with a cloth, helping to fix a meal or setting the table as they develop abilities.

Practice daily activities you do in the course of the day together such as putting away toys or straightening up. Encourage your child to cooperate with you using the clean up song even if you’re doing most of the work. First accomplishments might be just that your child is staying with you and observing you. Next you could give a simple direction like to pick up a toy and put it away.

Teach simple systems and organizational skills so that if your child does a chore like putting things away they know where to put it, and you can find it later.