Author: Jenny Wise

Make Moving With Your Child On The Autism Spectrum A Breeze With These Tips

Posted onAuthorJenny Wise

Moving to a new home takes a lot of careful planning, no matter what the circumstances are. But when your child is on the autism spectrum, there are several important considerations to make before the big day. Ensuring your new home is safe and accessible for your child is one; taking steps to keep her happy and comfortable during the moving process is another.

It can be overwhelming to take on these tasks while you’re also cleaning and preparing to pack, so Solve Learning Disabilities shares these resources that can benefit your entire family before and after the move. Then, think about your child’s specific needs and how you can ensure that the new house meets them.

Think safety and accessibility

Every individual on the autism spectrum has different abilities and needs; your child might require a quiet space to relax and de-stress, or a room where she can play with sensory toys. She might have a tendency to wander, necessitating security devices on doors and windows as well as a lack of stairs.

When looking for the perfect home, it can be helpful to consider things like proximity to therapists or doctors, your child’s school, and fun attractions or events. You can also look for local classes or groups that will help your child thrive. Talk about the possibility of making new friends to get her excited about the changes, and look for resources to help enhance your child’s social skills.

Of course, it’s rare to find a home or neighborhood that meets every single item on your checklist, so think about ways you can make inexpensive updates or small modifications that are within your price range. Research homes in your target area to find out how much they’re going for so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.

Once you’ve chosen the area where you’d like to live, it’s time to start shopping for mortgages. It’s best to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking at a home so you’ll know exactly how much you can spend. Keep in mind that you can lower your monthly mortgage payments by putting more down.

Keep communication open

Many children find moving to be stressful, but it helps if you keep communication open about what they can expect throughout the process. Show your child pictures of the new house or visit it together if possible. Talk about the process of packing and emphasize the fact that their belongings will accompany them to your new home; it may even be helpful to allow her to help with packing, as long as it’s safe to do so. Try to keep routines the same each day to prevent anxiety. If your child is having a hard time with the idea of the move, you might look for an episode of a favorite television show or a movie that deals with the process in a relatable way.

Consider your options

One great option to help with outbursts and behavior is to consider primitive reflex integration. It is simple exercises that help eliminate the reflexes that should have disappeared by age one. May children with Autism still have some remaining well after the age of five. 

There are several ways to get started with a move, so it’s wise to think about all your options in order to limit stress. Hiring a moving service can ensure that the packing and moving process go off without a hitch, and it will also free up some of your time so you can focus on helping your child get acclimated while staying safe. There are several factors that determine the cost of the service, such as the distance of the move and the day of the week your belongings will be loaded and delivered; use resources like Angi to help you find the perfect moving company for your budget and needs.

Moving is a big job, from the planning to the packing, and it often requires a lot of patience. Practice self-care to prevent burnout, give yourself plenty of time to complete tasks and create a checklist to stay organized throughout the process. Think about how you can involve your child from the beginning in order to ease any stress or anxieties she may have.

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How To Create A Safe, Fun, And Functional Backyard For A Child On The Autism Spectrum

Posted onAuthorJenny Wise

Many parents view the backyard as a haven, a place where the kids can go and entertain themselves for hours on end when the weather is nice. For moms and dads who work from home or have chores to get done around the house, the backyard can be a huge help nearly all year. For families of children who are on the autism spectrum, however, it can be one more cause for worry and stress.

Making sure your home is safe and comfortable for your child is important, and that includes the exterior as well as the interior. The backyard can be a wonderful place for your child to explore and have fun, but there are several considerations to make before they do. For instance, swingsets and other play equipment should be secured and in good shape; these can become weathered throughout the seasons and require a checkup once in a while.

Keep reading for more great tips on how to create a fun and functional backyard for your child on the autism spectrum.

Check for Hazards

Since all children on the autism spectrum have very different needs, the way your backyard is set up should be specific to those. Little ones who have a tendency to wander may require secure latches on fence gates or motion sensors around the pool area (for specific pool safety tips, click here). Look for new plant growth that might be toxic, nails or screws that have fallen to the ground and can hurt small feet, and play equipment that needs maintenance.

Create a garden space

Kids love learning how things grow, and a small garden space can help teach kids of all ages responsibility and math and science concepts. Whether you want some colorful flowers or an edible garden that the entire family can enjoy, it’s important to do a little research first to make sure your garden will be a success. Preparing the soil, planning for the right amount of water and sunlight, and making sure you have the right tools are important parts of the gardening process. Read up on how to get started here.

Set up a birdwatching station

A fun, safe activity for kids of any age is birdwatching, and it can be done nearly year-round in most states. Set up an area for the birds — a feeder, a birdbath, a small house in a sturdy tree — and invest in a good set of binoculars so that everyone can take turns watching these fascinating creatures. Look for a book that will help you learn about the different birds that come through your yard, and encourage your child to look up some info on his own. The internet is a great resource for tips on fun activities that can be done in the backyard.

Go camping

Camping is a great way to get the family together for some bonding time, but you don’t have to take a road trip to do it. Set up a tent in the backyard, bring out the flashlights, and tell some spooky stories over hot dogs and s’mores. If your child is interested in joining a wilderness organization, this is a great opportunity to start teaching him about the outdoors and how to make nature work for you.

Creating a fun, functional, and safe backyard takes a little work, but once it’s done, you and your family can have a great time learning about nature and making memories all year long. Keep your child’s specific needs in mind when looking for safety hazards; this will give you peace of mind and keep your little one incident-free as he’s having fun.