Summarize:

Autistic kids often feel more secure when they can predict the day's activities and make sense of the world. Create set places where activities occur. This can help the child stay calm and feel in control of things.  Routines also make it easier to narrow down why the child might be acting out. For example, if they always cry when you ask them to do homework after school, it might be that school tires them out too much and they need to relax first, or that homework is a source of major stress for them. Picture schedules help to explain which activity the child will do next. Picture schedules are wonderful tools parents can use to help guide some autistic children through different activities they will undertake during the day. It helps improve structure in a child’s life particularly because autistic children often have difficulty keeping an overview of their daily activities. Some ideas for ways to use picture schedules include:  You and your child can keep track of tasks by “ticking off” completed activities. You and your child can keep a clock or a light-up timer near the activities to determine the time frame for each activity (if this helps the child). Help your child to design and draw these pictures so they feel more of a connection with the images. Keep the images in a book or on a board or wall so that your child can refer to them whenever they please. This helps the child feel secure. If a change needs to be made, give the child warning and an explanation, so it feels less jarring. Work together with other caretakers (such as teachers and therapists) to create a consistent system. While the schedule should remain relatively consistent, this does not mean there is no room for development of your child’s activities and discipline as your child makes their natural progression in development and growth as an individual.   For example, bath time may turn into shower time once your child learns to shower independently. Make changes to help fix issues as needed. For example, if you schedule exercise time after lunch, and the child often gets a stomachache during exercise, it might be that they need time for the food to settle. Talk to the child about the schedule issue, and brainstorm how to rearrange things (like exercising before eating, or having 30 minutes of free time in between). Autistic children can be especially vulnerable to stress, so it's critical for them to get enough "down time." Down time is particularly relevant when your child feels there is too much going on and their senses have been overloaded. When your child becomes distressed or upset because of this over-stimulation, this indicative of the need for down time. Simply take your child to a safe, quiet place and allow your child to ‘relax’ in a simple environment under casual supervision.   Try to plan relaxation time after activities that tend to be stressful. For example, if the child usually comes home from school stressed or tired, then they should have at least half an hour of free time to unwind. If the child isn't old enough to go unsupervised, you can offer casual supervision. For example, the child could rock back and forth and draw pictures in a corner, while you read a book or do something on your phone. Autistic children, just like other children, need time to play and enjoy activities of their own choosing. Since stress can be a problem for autistic kids, relaxation time is especially critical. Self-directed play helps the child stay happy and emotionally balanced.   Keep in mind that your idea of "fun" might be different from the child's idea. For example, a noisy party might be stressful for an autistic child. And lining up toys or walking in circles might be an enjoyable way for an autistic kid to spend time. If the child likes it, then it counts as fun, even if you don't understand it. Being bossed around by an adult usually doesn't count as fun, even if the adult is telling the child to play. If you play with the child, let them take the lead. Some kids can't stay sitting or doing the same thing for very long. If this is the case for your child, make sure to schedule plenty of time for them to "blow off steam" and use some of their excess energy. Sports and playing outside are often good for active kids.  You can also announce unscheduled breaks if you see the child getting antsy. For example, you could say "I can see you're having a hard time focusing. Let's run around for 15 minutes, and then come back." If your child is not getting sufficient sleep or is suffering pain or ill health, it would be natural for them to express their distress which may be misconstrued as “problematic behaviour”.  If you notice behavior focused on a particular area, try having a doctor check that area. For example, a boy who hits his head might be suffering from a toothache or lice. Hitting a body part can indicate that something is wrong there.
Set a predictable routine and structure. Use "picture schedules" to create order. Be consistent with the schedule. Adapt the schedule in small ways as your child grows. Plan lots of time for your child to relax. Schedule plenty of time for fun. Plan some outlets for energy, especially if the child has hyperactive tendencies. Resolve any sleep or medical problems.