The everyday routines of families of children with autism: examining the impact of sensory processing difficulties on the family.

The team talked to the families who each had one autistic child.

They asked how sensory quirks changed daily life.

Parents shared stories about meals, shopping, and bedtime.

Loud dryers, itchy tags, or bright lights could stop a whole outing.

Families skipped parks, restaurants, and even work trips to avoid meltdowns.

Parents invented tiny fixes like corner booths, ear plugs, or preview videos.

Patton et al. (2020) later counted that only a large share of daily moments include therapy.

This number shows why coaching must fit inside the routines C et al. already described.

Davy et al. (2024) found that when kids have stronger daily-living skills, caregivers join more activities.

The two studies link: fewer sensory bumps lead to better child skills, which then free up the whole family.

Whaling et al. (2025) add that autistic kids often miss sleep and screen-time guidelines.

Together the papers trace a chain: sensory triggers → broken routines → lost sleep → tired families.

You can ask caregivers which sounds, textures, or lights derail their day.

Then pick one routine—say, grocery trips—and pre-pack headphones, a visual list, or a quieter hour.

Tiny sensory tweaks can keep the family working, playing, and sleeping better.