Do you currently share your home with a child or family member who has a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder?
This disorder can present with very challenging and somewhat emotive behaviors, particularly when an individual who has ASD becomes overloaded with sensory information.This can cause them to meltdown, which can be distressing to witness, and to manage, especially if they are a young child.
Luckily, there are some ways that you can reduce the chance of your child or family member having a sensory overload and meltdown; by creating a home environment that is sensory-friendly for them to live in.ย
If you want to know more about this, read on, as this article will guide you through some of the top ways you can keep your home autism friendly.
Create a Sensory-Friendly Environment
Nobody likes a flickering light, and if you have one in your home, you need to fix it as this can cause sensory issues for a child orindividual with autism.
It may be worth investing in an adjustable light fitting, which will avoid harsh brightness that may be overwhelming. Try to ensure minimal background noise,too; use as many carpets,curtains,and soundproofing options as possible in certain rooms. It could also be worth investing in a white noise machine for the bedroom. If you have a young child, try to designate a low-stimulation, quiet area where they can retreat to. This space can have a lot of sensory tools, such as weighted blankets, fidget toys, or even a phone or tablet that has apps for kids and apps for autistic adults to use.
Organize and Declutter
Many people who have ASD can become incredibly anxious when they are exposed to cluttered spaces, which can lead to a meltdown. So, ensure that your home is divided into organized zones, where different activities will occur. Try to use visual supports, such as labels,pictures, or schedules, and colour coding to help navigate an organisation around your home.
Enhance Safety and Security
As distressing as it is to consider, many individuals who have autism, when they become overwhelmed, can engage in behaviours that are self-damaging. So, ensure that any potentially dangerous items like sharp objects or chemicals are stored securely. You could install such locks on cabinets or drawers to prevent access. In a similar vein, try to identify and create safe zones within the home where the person can go when they feel overwhelmed.
Support Communication and Independence
If you share your home with somebody who is autistic and is non-verbal or minimally verbal, try to provide communication aids such as communication apps, picture boards or even sign language tools. Try to ensure that the home is also designed to support their independence, by making the commonly used items (such as mugs and plates) accessible to them, if this is suitable.
Keep A Routine
It can be hard to keep a routine in place, especially when you have multiple children and multiple commitments. However, one way you can ensure that your home is friendly for your child or family member with autism is to create a routine and stick to it. This will help them to feel safe and secure and will also prevent anxiety attacks as well as melt downs.ย
