Creating a comfortable and safe environment for a child with autism is an important part of supportive therapy. Children with autism often have difficulties in perceiving the world around them, which can lead to sensory overload, communication and behavioral difficulties. Therefore, the approach to organizing space in the home should take into account the child’s perceptions and needs, providing them with a sense of security and peace of mind.
Varieties of space
The space in which a special child lives and develops acquires special therapeutic significance.
According to the type of the child’s activity, the space can be divided into:
- Domestic (eating, getting ready for bed, toileting, etc.);
- Playroom (a place for a variety of games);
- Educational (a place for special developmental activities);
- The nearest social environment (stairwell, playground, store, street).
Parents need to take care of the children’s room, which should become a “fortress” for the child. A child’s room is a special comfortable place in which the baby will feel safe and secure. It will require empathy and love from the parents, as well as fulfillment of a number of necessary conditions.
1. Safety:
- Furnish the room with items without sharp corners;
- Remove all dangerous items as much as possible.
2. Providing coziness and comfort:
- Decorate the room in pastel, soothing colors;
- Provide soft lighting that does not sting the eyes.
3. Availability of necessary equipment:
- A table with a chair or desk;
- Choose children’s literature, taking into account the peculiarities of your child;
- Toys for the nursery can be selected absolutely different, but, of course, taking into account individual characteristics;
- Equipment for physical development of the child;
4. Maintaining order:
The child’s room should be kept in a certain order, i.e. all things and toys should have their fixed location. Order in the world of objects is important for any child, but for a child with autism, given the stereotypical nature of his or her behavior, it is a necessary condition for his or her life.
Household rituals for a child with autism
A child with autism requires specially organized instruction and repeated repetition of daily routines with adults.
By “everyday rituals” we mean the organization of the child’s learning of individual everyday skills and the learning of daily routines. Normally, children learn a lot by observing adults and imitating their actions. In this case, babies act by trial and error, tirelessly improving their skills. Children with autism spectrum disorder do not imitate adults. The development of a special child’s ability to serve themselves will require special work, patience and tact from loved ones.
This work will be based on the stereotypes of behavior in everyday situations learned by the child, on the basis of which it is possible to form and consolidate new skills.
The following rules should be observed when teaching stereotypical behavior in everyday life:
- You can insist on doing an activity only if the child can do it;
- Explore the world, starting with simple things and moving on to complex things;
- Do not try to teach your child everything at once, the process should be consistent and gradual;
- You should be optimistic: react emotionally to the child’s success, do not pay attention to failures, prevent possible mistakes;
- All participants of this process should use the same scheme of actions.
Organizing a clear daily schedule and routine helps children learn everyday rituals: over time, children begin to understand that they will not go for a walk until they get dressed, wash their hands, eat, and so on. Maintaining a daily routine is of paramount importance for a child’s development. The daily routine should have a certain consistency and repetition and should be based on the individual characteristics of the baby and change as he grows up.
Sensory environment
Many children with autism spectrum disorder have sensory perception, usually hypersensitivity to things (lights, sounds, etc.). It is critical to understand how the sensory environment affects your child.
Your child may be overloaded due to high noise levels, and as a result, may be worse at maintaining eye contact and less likely to interact with others. Try to shield your child from extraneous noise as much as possible – especially if you are trying to get their attention at the time. Turn off the TV and music, turn on the dishwasher only after your child has fallen asleep, put headphones and other noise-canceling devices in areas where you usually play or do activities together.
Visual overload in children with autism
When creating an environment for a child with autism, it is important to avoid visual overload in the room. Often the walls are decorated with lots of letters, pictures, and decorative items, which can be helpful for other children. However, for a child with autism, this environment can be distracting, making it difficult to focus on important objects and people. To help your child, it is important to minimize unnecessary visual elements and create a calm, orderly environment.
The importance of tactile sensations for children with autism
Tactile sensations play an important role in environmental perception for children with autism. Many children with autism are hyper- or hypo-sensitive to certain textures and materials. Some surfaces may be unpleasant to the touch, while others may be soothing. It is important to be careful in choosing materials for furniture, toys, and accessories in the room.
Parents should avoid using fabrics and materials with strong textures or strong odors. It is better to choose soft, natural materials that create a comfortable atmosphere, such as cotton or flannel fabrics for bedding and clothing. It is also useful to create a lounge area with soft rugs or cushions where the child can feel safe and secluded, which is especially important for children with sensory sensitivities.
Conclusion
Creating a comfortable and safe environment for a child with autism is an important aspect of supporting their psycho-emotional well-being and effective development. The space in which the child lives should be designed and adapted to his or her individual needs, taking into account sensory, safety and comfort needs. It is important to provide a stable daily routine, keep the room tidy and avoid sensory overload. It is also worth paying attention to the choice of materials for furniture and clothing so that they are comfortable for a child with autism.
Every child’s room should become a cozy and safe corner for the child, where he or she will feel support and understanding. Parental empathy and attentiveness to the child’s needs are key factors in creating an environment conducive to the child’s harmonious development. Combined with patience and love, a well-organized space can significantly improve the quality of life of a child with autism, providing him or her with comfort and safety in everyday life.
