My mother the inveterate list maker gave me the gift of the action item list.  She had about 5 notepads around the house with various lists, and separate journal books beyond those.  Write it on the list, she’d say, and it will get done.

Structure is my godsend.   It’s how we got through the past several snow days until yay, the school bus arrived 10 min ago.  It’s often the antithesis of autism, at least the profound type with which I live here.  Autism means surprise, constant deviation from the norm and demands intense flexibility and creativity.  Structure keeps the expectations known for everyone.

Today I’m grateful for the most wonderful skills trainer in the world who showed up as expected yesterday for work, on a week here where 2 of the other 4 helpers cancelled already.  Her focus on individual work with the boys was like school – comforting, known, engaging in exactly the right way for each.  It continued my little efforts at doing the same while putting my finger in the dike of work at the same time earlier in the day.

My own day today is highly structured, and I find when I’m busiest, most structured and usually juggling 15 different things – I’m happiest.  So here’s to the rest of my own daily structure -and a tip of the hat to those helpers I am so very lucky to have in advancing both our skills and happiness.

Yay!