I second using an Excel type spread sheet. Not only for your benefit but also as a tool for long term analysis of improvement/regression/traits for any healthcare provider to utilize. The reason is this. Just by human nature we tend to focus on only what’s wrong or problem areas. At least with a daily spread sheet you can analyze the actual trend – month, quarter or on a yearly basis. Just for an example my child was said to have a problem with transitions. After putting in the data from my observations and from reports from school we found out that his problem transitions (class to therapy or here at home from one activity to another) accounted for just 10% in problem transitions. Bottom line it is nice to actually give your child’s action some real perspective long term and not a “snap shot” of one bad day or last couple of days.

This can help you really fine tune your and healthcare providers focus and attention to actual trends, see visually if therapies are working, and modify/fine tune any treatment approaches going forward.

Just a word of caution – like anything else – junk in, junk out. Pay attention to what you are actually entering as data.

I cover naps, toilet events, feedings, transitions, tantrums/meltdowns with a distinction of the two, sleeping habits and even playtime with friends (interaction). It gives me a very clear picture of what is going on in my child’s life and progress they are making.

As far as an app, I would think that would be a great idea for some developer to come up with.

I used an Excel worksheet. I have to be honest. I was looking for correlation and causation of good days to bad, and though I built several models, nothing ever really held up under statistical analysis. However, I would not discourage you! You might find linkages for your child, or you may just be wanting to track for different reasons. Based on your child's photo, I can tell you that I did this around the same time. 3/4/5. He is now 7. It has gotten so much easier as he has become more articulate. He still has a fair number of moments, but it is so much easier to work through.

I don't keep track though I do keep a baby journal.

To be honest no. Kids grow so fast and the milestones change, the problems change, how articulate they are changes...things I thought I had figured out changed. What they couldn't do one day is just gone the next like it was never a problem. Some things persisted, but the data collection wasn't my most effective means of recall. Visual observation was.

What it would be helpful for is to document the milestones (e.g. first time the child walked, talked, etc.). Because frankly you will be filling out forms for a long time to come, and every single one will ask you for this data. It might be helpful if your child has GI issues and you want to try a gluten free diet. We never had really bad GI problems and have never done the gluten free thing. I don't mean to discourage you. I am a firm believer in following your gut when you raise an autistic child. Also, this might be more important for a non-verbal child.

One thing I liked about keeping data...when I am being really honest with myself...it felt like it was something I could do and something I could control when I felt like everything else was out of my control. It was really a dark time for me when my son was between 4-5. So, I needed this.

Thanks @A MyAutismTeam Member. Did you find it helpful to have a record of when certain things happened, to look back on?

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