How timers can make life a little easier for kids with disability (and their parents)

If you’re a parent of a child with disability or neurodivergence, you know how important it can be to have a predictable routine and smooth transitions between activities. For many of our kids, knowing what to expect and when helps keep anxiety in check, makes transitions easier, and can even give them a little extra independence. One tool that’s surprisingly helpful? The humble timer.

Timers might seem simple, but they can make a big difference in managing day-to-day life. From helping with transitions to supporting focus, timers are one of those little hacks that can make things easier for everyone. Here’s how they can help:

Creating routine and predictability

Many of our kids find comfort in routines and knowing what’s coming next. Timers are a straightforward way to add structure to the day. Whether it’s getting ready in the morning, transitioning between activities, or winding down before bed, a timer helps set up expectations for what’s next. It’s like a gentle reminder for everyone.

Making transitions smoother

Transitions can be tough, especially if your child is really absorbed in what they’re doing. Research shows that having clear signals for transitions helps reduce challenging behaviours and emotional responses in children with autism and intellectual disabilities. Setting a timer gives them a heads-up that it’s almost time to switch gears, which helps them mentally prepare. Instead of having to spring it on them, the timer gives a buffer period, so there are fewer abrupt stops (and hopefully fewer meltdowns).

Teaching basic time management

For our kids, getting a feel for how long things take is a valuable skill. Setting a timer for specific tasks can help them learn to pace themselves and gives them a better understanding of time. They start to get a sense of what “five minutes” feels like, which is helpful not just now but for life in general.

Breaking tasks down into bite-sized chunks

Some tasks are just plain hard for our kids, especially if it involves focusing for a long stretch. Timers are great for breaking things down into smaller steps. Say you’re tackling a homework assignment—set a timer for short bursts of work with a break in between. It’s a way to keep up motivation and avoid overwhelm, which studies suggest improves task engagement and reduces frustration.

Reducing anxiety around time-related activities

Timers are also amazing for reducing some of the anxiety around tasks that feel hard or unpredictable. Knowing exactly when an activity will start or end is often reassuring for kids, especially if they struggle with time or feel anxious about certain activities. That little countdown can bring a lot of calm.

Building a sense of independence

As they get used to it, kids can start setting their own timers for different tasks, giving them a sense of ownership over their routines. This bit of independence feels great for them and gives them a boost of confidence. And for you? One less thing to remind them about!

Providing visual cues

Some timers have visual indicators, like colour-coded countdowns or bars that shrink as time goes by. These are especially helpful for kids who respond better to visual cues, as they can see the time ticking down in a way that’s easy to understand.