Exploring Timers to Help People of All Abilities Manage the Minutes
- amykdtobik2
- 16 hours ago
- 3 min read
By Karen Kaplan, BS
Not everyone feels time passing. Not everyone can judge what five more minutes might feel like. Not everyone can allocate the right amount of time to complete something.
How then can they follow a recipe that says, cook for 45 minutes? How can they manage when a teacher or mom says, “You have 10 more minutes, and then we must leave.” How can they manage to complete a test on time at school? How will they know how long it will be till the bus arrives to take them to school without a parent reminding them repeatedly? How can they handle waiting for their favorite TV show to come on? How might they judge how quickly they must shop if they hear, “We are closing in 15 minutes”?
So much of our daily lives is feeling time passing and knowing how to prepare for our next transition of the day.
Some of the most common challenges may be:
When children are not aware whether something will take five minutes or an hour. This can lead to anxiety, especially if they’re engaged in an activity they dislike or are uncertain when a preferred activity will begin.
When individuals on the spectrum or with other neurodiversities are trying to handle transitions between tasks, moving from one activity to another can be very difficult. Sudden transitions may cause distress or result in meltdowns if an individual is not prepared or doesn’t know what to expect.
When they try to manage time-related behaviors, some may overestimate how much time they have, while others may rush through tasks. This inconsistency can affect everything from daily routines to school performance.
These time perception difficulties can make everyday life feel very unpredictable and increase fears, anxiety, and frustrations.
Yes, today stoves, microwaves, and phones have timers. And our watches have beeps that remind us time is passing or time is up. So, we might just need to help our individuals learn to set timers.
At home, parents can use timers to help in some of the following areas:
Managing Screen Time: A timer with visual cues helps children understand how long they can play games or watch videos, and when it’s time to stop.
Staying on Task with Homework: Breaking work into short, timed sessions helps children stay focused without becoming overwhelmed.
Completing Chores: Setting a timer for ten minutes can make chores feel more manageable and give kids a clear goal to work toward.
Transitioning Between Activities: Whether it’s time to eat dinner, get dressed, or prepare for bed, a timer can signal a change without surprises.
In a variety of educational settings, timers can also play a vital role. Teachers may use timers to give warnings before changes in activities, support focus during lessons, and encourage independent work. Let's investigate exploring timers to help your student, worker, or loved one today.
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Karen Kaplan, MS, is a native San Franciscan. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, in speech pathology and audiology. She minored in special education and obtained her speech therapist and special education credentials in California. Karen worked as a speech therapist for schools for 20 years before opening her own residential and education program for students with autism. She worked in credential programs at Sacramento State University as well as UC Davis and spent 20 years directing private schools for those with autism and similar learning challenges. Karen founded a non-profit, Offerings, which helps cultures globally to understand those with developmental challenges. For seven years, she founded and facilitated an autism lecture series and resource fair in Northern California. Karen still facilitates an annual Autism Awesomeness event. She is currently consulting, helping families, schools, and centers for children, teens, and adults. Karen has authored three books: Reach Me Teach Me: A Public School Program for the Autistic Child; A Handbook for Teachers and Administrators, On the Yellow Brick Road: My Search for Home and Hope for the Child with Autism, and Typewriting to Heaven… and Back: Conversations with My Dad on Death, Afterlife and Living (which is not about autism but about having important conversations with those we love).
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