We are all affected by our environments, especially the home. So making it a place where you and your family can feel safe, comfortable and secure is a foundation for supporting a child with ASD
Designing homes for someone with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a challenge, The Conversation reports. Every person with ASD is different and may have varying physical and medical issues you must address – such as seizures, sensory sensitivities, sleep dysfunctions, and gastrointestinal problems. With small children, it’s even harder. They have behavioral challenges and routinely engage in unsafe behavior without understanding the consequences of their actions.
You need to individually and uniquely tailor your space to your child with their safety in comfort in mind. Below are some tried-and-tested suggestions on how to make a suitable environment for your child with ASD, presented by Keep Calm and Play.
Tone down the sounds
Children with ASD report extreme noise sensitivity. They can pick up the slightest of whispers. Loud noises are painful and shocking and can cause panic attacks. As such, making your home noise-proof should be a priority. Consider insulating your living room, dining room, and the child’s bedroom. Invest in noise-canceling earphones. Finally, train your child to withstand the noise better.
Adjust the lighting
Light sensitivity can cause children headaches, visual snow, and general discomfort, says TheraSpecs. Make sure your house doesn’t have any fluorescent lighting. Allow for natural sunlight when possible, and have dim lighting in resting places like bedrooms. Reducing visual mismatches will also help.
Order your spaces
Chaos and clutter can put anyone with ASD off. One of the best ways to make your child comfortable at home is to arrange all the furniture appropriately and neatly. Techniques like sequential circulation, sub-dividing rooms, and reconfigurable spaces can help your child adapt to the environment. Using visual labels and signs also help, as does modular furniture.
Make it spick and span
Cleanliness needs to go hand in hand with order. Many with ASD have a heightened need for sanitation. Keep your floors dirt-free, regularly vacuum your carpets, and tidy up often to help your child relax. Be aware that stains and spots are especially jarring for your child if the environment is otherwise spotless. If you can’t get rid of stains with cleaning products, contacting professional upholstery cleaners may be a worthwhile investment.
If you do contact professionals, research them thoroughly. You should avoid working with someone who uses all-in-one cleaning tools – it could be unsuitable for your child. Read reviews before picking a cleaner and asking for a quote. Narrow it down to a few companies and ask for referrals from satisfied customers for maximum safety.
Keep the bedroom restful
Many children with ASD report sleeping problems. And without sufficient sleep, ASD can become extremely difficult to manage. Take special care when decorating and setting up your child’s bedroom. Make sure the bed is cozy, the mattress firm enough, the walls have calm colors, and there is adequate ventilation in the room. Let your child arrange things to his or her liking. Complement all this with other helpful aides like pre-bedtime routines, consistent turning in schedules, and warm baths.
Tick all the safety boxes
Lastly, you have to keep your child safe, so you should child-proof your home. The Autism Society offers many excellent suggestions: using alarms, locking windows, stowing away hazardous items, arranging safe seating, using visual signs everywhere, and teaching intervention techniques to help your child behave appropriately.
Consider a new home
If you discover that your home isn’t as safe or as comfortable as it could be for your child, then you might consider purchasing a new home. Sometimes, buying a home better suited to your child’s needs is more affordable than making changes to the home you currently live in. So, look at your finances, see how much you can realistically afford to spend, and then start searching for a home that will serve as a safe, comfortable sanctuary for your child.
Wrapping it up
Remember to make arrangements for your child’s unique medical needs, such as acquiring a seizure-safe bed. Keep in mind that building a suitable space for your child with ASD won’t happen overnight. Make minor improvements as you go and give it time. With sustained effort, you will build a wonderful, nurturing environment for your child with ASD – and family as a whole – to thrive in.
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