By Andrea Dixon – Boldy What is time blindness? How does it effect your ASD/ADHD child/Young Person? Time blindness is a term used to describe difficulties in perceiving, estimating, and managing time. It is often associated with conditions such as Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Poor Time Estimation: Individuals with time blindness may frequently underestimate or overestimate the time needed for certain activities, leading to time management difficulties. Chronic Lateness: They may frequently arrive late to lessons, meetings, or social gatherings. This is typically unintentional and can be very frustrating for all concerned. Procrastination: They may procrastinate on tasks because they have difficulty gauging how much time they have. Missed Deadlines: Difficulty in tracking deadlines and schedules can result in missed appointments, assignments, or other time-sensitive commitments. Difficulty with Transitions: Managing transitions from one activity to another can be challenging. They may struggle with shifting focus or ending one task to start another. Feeling Time is Moving Too Quickly: They may experience a sensation that time is passing too quickly, leading to anxiety or stress. Difficulty Planning Ahead: They may struggle to plan for the future, as they find it hard to prepare for events or responsibilities that haven’t happened yet or that they are unable to envisage. Impulsivity: In some cases, time blindness can lead to impulsive behaviours, such as making decisions without considering the long-term consequences or acting without planning. Time blindness is not a formal medical diagnosis, but it is a real struggle for many individuals with ASD and ADHD. Understanding and accommodating these challenges can help improve daily functioning and reduce stress. Time Blindness falls under the Executive Functioning. Time blindness is a real struggle for those it effects, it may be that you currently don’t see it as ‘time blindness’ at the moment, but instead see a child who can’t start a task, struggles to get ready for school on time, doesn’t start work in class or doesn’t get past the page header or is able to stay on task? It may be that you are constantly prompting your child on next steps, repeatedly telling them how many minutes they have before you have to set off to school. If you suspect that your child or young person may be on the spectrum, then this may improve in time but no amount of pressure will make them improve in the short term. Instead consider scaffolding to help both you and your child or young person. Use Visual Timers: Visual timers can help make the passage of time more concrete. They provide a visual representation of how much time is left for a task Set Alarms and Reminders: Use alarms and reminders on your phone or other devices to keep track of time and important tasks. Create a Routine: Establishing a daily routine can help create a sense of structure and predictability. Consistency is key Break Tasks into Smaller Steps: Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable steps can make them less overwhelming and easier to complete Use a Planner or Calendar: Keeping a planner or calendar can help you stay organized and keep track of appointments, deadlines, and tasks. Prioritize Tasks: Prioritize tasks based on their importance and deadlines. Focus on completing high-priority tasks first. Set Time Limits: Set specific time limits for tasks to help stay on track and avoid spending too much time on one activity. Use Visual Schedules: Visual schedules can help provide a clear outline of the day’s activities and when they will occur. Practice Time Management Skills: Practice estimating how long tasks will take and track their progress to improve time management skills over time. It is helpful to track via a visual tool which promotes their successes. These strategies can help improve time management and reduce the stress and anxiety associated with time blindness, additionally they can also be applied in the classroom under reasonable adjustments.