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Teaching the Value of Punctuality When There Are Special Needs

By Karen Kaplan

Punctual means arriving on time. It means being prompt, not late or tardy. Many of us understand the social implications of not arriving on time, and we understand the feelings of how others might react if we are not prompt. We may also see the consequences of not being punctual. But I wonder if people with special needs understand those who do not know how arriving late may affect the feelings of others involved in the experience and realize the importance of punctuality. It's crucial for everyone, including those on the spectrum or with similar social understanding differences, to grasp these social implications.


This understanding can significantly improve their social engagement, work engagement, and community access experiences.


So, parents and teachers, take time to help your loved ones and students understand how being on time can affect others and their daily lives. Here are some helpful tips for teaching the value of punctuality:


Read books to teach punctuality to children.


Read books with teens and adult.


Model being on time in your own family.

Show them when invited to parties, events, and activities with a starting and ending time. Mark the date and time on a visual calendar. Give warnings that the day and time are coming up. Help them problem-solve what they will be wearing.


Sit down and explain WHY it is important to arrive on time.


So, just take a little time as they grow up and teach them the importance of PUNCTUALITY. Teaching social skills is just as important as learning to read and write. Those teachers who support Individual Education Plans and Individual Transition Plans make sure there is a goal for understanding all job interviewing and daily job expectations, especially arriving on time.


Karen Kaplan, MS, is a native San Franciscan. She completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in speech pathology and audiology at Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona. 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 and 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 meaningful conversations with those we love).

 

 

 

 

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