Operational Manual for your Child

Ok lets just suppose that tommorrow you disappear off the face of the earth and your child was left with someone who DID NOT have a clue where to start--- How would they survive??? How would your child survive?

Ok I know not one of us wants to even contemplate something so terrible but the simple fact is that most of us will be gone before our children are and when that happens ; even if family plays and intricate part will they really know how to make life comfortable and safe for our kids?

Most seem to think that our kids will weather the change as long as there is someone there to take over the routine --which is probably true -- but how do we go about making sure that some things are carried on without us? An Operational Manual>

Before computers a simple notebook with hand written notes and instruction was the way to go and actually was an assignment I had when we attended Cal State San Bernardino's UCDD program {University Center for Developmental Disabilities}. I still have the notebook and it has a plethora of information-- some outdated now but some that is still relevant and useable today .

I found the exercise to be overwhelming at first yet as I dove into the project it became appeasing and rewarding . To know that I made a diligent effort to provide information that might help any one who might be helping Dakota get on with his life was a relief.

I discovered that you can make it anyway you want but these are some of the things I included --First of all a title page with general info as to parents, addresses,siblings ,aunts and uncles kind of a family tree with contact info attached. Then I went in to Medical Information Doctors with contact info meds or Prescriptions and phone numbers -- The next section was Medical Diagnosis and background. Then I broke into daily routines and schedules and weekend routines and schedules,grooming strengths and weaknesses,sleeping routines, eating schedules etc.....anything you think is important for someone to know if you are not there. I include information for agencies and non-profits that might help some one ,also articles that I found in magazines or papers that shed light on ideas about Autism

You can really make this "nook anything you want it to be but keep in mind the whole Idea is an operational manual for your child---As I have started this journal on the Internet Many of the things that pertain to Dakota are now notated in this medium so you can also pick and choose what "form" you will use-- I Like the idea of a notebook for a couple of reasons mostly because some people may not have access to a computer or may be reluctant to use a computer and also there's always a chance that the info could get dumped on a computer so you have to be the judge of that Never-The-Less It is something I think all care givers ought to consider doing --for the sake of the kids having a smooth transition in the event that you might not be there.