Routines

Routines give meaning to actions and events, while building a memory foundation for other learning. (TSBVI, 2012)

Routines are structured activities with clear beginnings, middles, and ends.

They are carried out the same way with a child until they change or evolve based on the child's needs. The consistent use of routines serves a number of purposes for children and youth who are deaf-blind, especially those who were born deaf-blind. They help children build their communication skills, learn new concepts, access the general education curriculum, and improve interactions and social skills.

They also provide a sense of security and predictability to a child's day by helping them understand what is happening in the here and now and anticipate what is coming. As they learn to use a routine, children "Understand more about the world and it seems a less hostile and frightening place" (Hodges, 2000, p. 169).

Introductory Resources

External Resource
Routines (GA Sensory Assistance Project)
External Resource
Routine-Based Learning (WA Sensory Disability Services - includes videos)
External Resource
Routines (Texas Deafblind Project)
Slide Presentation
Routines and the Team (in OHOA Module "Routines for Participation and Learning")
External Resource
Deafblind Active Lives: Difficulties and Solutions, Part 1 (Video - TSBVI)

Learn More

Routine-Based Learning (CA Deafblind Services)

Routines for Participation and Learning (OHOA Module)

References

Hodges, L. (2000). Effective teaching and learning. In S. Aitken, M. Buultjens, C. Clark, J. T. Eyre, & L. Pease (Eds.), Teaching children who are deafblind: Contact, communication, and learning (pp. 167-199). David Fulton Publishers.

Texas Deafblind Project. (n.d.). Communication Overview: Routines.

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