For many people with autism, the whole world can seem like a scary place to navigate, Sensory overload can hit individuals anywhere from the local store to their own homes.
You might not be able to change all of the world to help your child with autism feel more comfortable, but you can definitely make your own home more accommodating for them.
With that in mind, below are some top tips to help you make your home more autism-friendly:
Get rid of clutter
Many people who are autistic can become overwhelmed by their environment very easily, which is why many kids with autism do not do so well with lots of mess and clutter.
If you want to make our home more autism-friendly, then, it could be a good idea to hire a dumpster from Red Dog Dumpsters and start getting rid of any clutter you do not need or that you do not love having in your home.
It is important when you are decluttering, however, to remember that children with autism may be attached to certain objects or want to have rooms looking a certain way, is you should always consult them if that is possible, and make sure you never get rid of anything that they need in the home to feel safe and secure.
Dim the lights
Many autistic people find bright lights to be a bit overwhelming to their senses, so if you can install lower-light bulbs, this is likely to be a big help even better, would be installing dimmer switches in as many rooms as possible, That way, the autistic person can decide how bright or dark they want a room to be, and so can you when you are in a room without them.
Dimmer switches are cheap and easy to install, so this is one of the simplest things you can do to make your home a bit more autism-friendly.
Do some soundproofing
Loud noises can also cause distress to people with autism, so making your home as quiet and relaxing as possible is good. If you can not afford to have various parts of your home soundproofed, and it is pretty expensive to do that you can still muffle sounds by hanging heavy drapes, fitting heavy carpets or rugs, and keeping the Tv at a lower volume.
If you have a family member with autism, putting them in a bedroom that is far away from the noisiest areas of the home might also help them to feel more comfortable, but you should only do this with their agreement – if they are settled in another room, then it could be distressing for them to move.
Keep it scent-neutral
If your child is averse to various odors, then keeping your home as neutral smelling as possible is a good idea. Many kids with autism hate the smell of bleach or lemon, which can make cleaning tricky, but you can find minimally or unscented cleaning products these days and they are often better for your general health too, being that they often don’t contain so many harsh chemicals Use them if you want to avoid sensory overload and make your home as welcoming as possible while also keeping it clean.
Create a quiet space
Whether it is a while room or a corner in a room, creating a quiet little space where your child can retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed can be very helpful. Make this space neutral in color as quiet as possible, as comfy as possible – lots of pillows and blankets – and make sure there are some comforting books and toys in the space too if you want it to be as effective as possible, It should also, ideally, be in a location where you can keep an eye on your child, and if that is not possible, a nanny cam might be appropriate.
Plant a sensory garden
Although many children with autism have sensory issues, and are overwhelmed by various sounds, smells, and sights, many people with autism find that sensory gardens have a very relaxing effect.
How do you create a sensory garden? Plant lots of delicious smelling herbs and flowers like lavender and mint, install a water feature for the gentle soothing sound of running water, and create a comfy seating area, to start with.
When your child has autism, you want to do anything you can to help them feel as comfortable as possible as much as possible, and your home is definitely a good place to start.
Kori
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