Clear Your Plate
It seems like every movie and tv show with families has the kids clearing their plates after meals. It is one of those typical family routines that can feel out of reach for us when we have kids with special needs.
But recently, I did some substitute teaching at a local Montessori School. The two-year-olds carry their plate to the small sink (the plates are not breakable) after their lunch and snack. The three- and four-year-olds participate in washing the dishes by hand after the meal.
As always, take your child’s needs and abilities into account…but also, ask them to help to the best of their ability. Michael used unbreakable dishes for longer than a typical kid, but now he can use the regular dishes, carry them to the sink, and rinse them.
For more on a family dish routine that will lighten your load, click the link below.
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About the Author
Erica Mauro is a mom to two teenage boys, Will who is neurotypical and Michael with Autism and cognitive delays. She holds a BA in Psychology from Colgate University and a Masters of Psychology in Education from Columbia Teacher’s College. Before staying home with her children, she worked as an elementary school teacher. For five years, she served on the Board of Directors of the Molly Ann Tango Memorial Foundation, a charity dedicated to enriching the lives of children with special needs. In partnership with her husband Dave, she aspires to parent by using daily life as an opportunity for therapeutic intervention, seizing on real experiences as opportunities to build skills and strategies for Michael in a joyful, loving home environment. On the tougher early days, she just tried to get everyone safely to bedtime and start fresh in the morning. *wink* 
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