explaining DS1's absence to DS2

[sphil]

Ds2 is 8 and has ASD. He has some understanding of language, but very little idea of time or days of the week. Tomorrow his older brother is going on a three day residential trip with school. Can anyone think of a way I could represent his absence on a visual timetable? Ds2 asks for him constantly even when he's gone round to play at a friend's house and I don't think I can stand three days of it!

Do a visual sleep timeline showing how long his brother will be away. Use a photo of him with the no entry through and 3 sleeps. HTH

Oh I hadnt thought of using the no entry sign - thats a great idea, thanks.

You could also use a countdown chart of some sorts? If you know he is going to repeatedly ask for his brother segment the day into parts. Ie breakfast, lunch, dinner and bedtime. Or you could draw cereal bowl for breakfast, etc etc and every time your ds asks let him look at how long it is till he comes home and let him tick off at each meal time the bits that have gone by.