Making sure a space is kid-friendly is a top priority for any parent or for family and friends planning to host kids. It can be even more helpful to take your prep one step further and make sure it’s sensory-friendly to accommodate children with autism.
Children on the spectrum may have issues with lights, sounds, smells, materials, and spatial awareness. They could experience hypersensitivity or hyposensitivity, where they will try to respectively avoid or seek these sensations. This makes it hard for them to focus on learning, playing, and interacting with others.
Below are some ways to make your home sensory-friendly and make unfamiliar spaces a little more inviting.
Accommodations at Home
By cutting distractions and adjusting different aspects of your home, you can help children with autism feel more relaxed and at ease. They will find it more comfortable to socialize, communicate, and participate in activities without feeling overwhelmed. The accommodations should be tailored to address the unique elements that trigger each child, but some general best practices include:
- Arrange furniture to create open spaces
- Soften lighting by using lamps and turning off overhead lights
- Avoid strongly scented products
- Serve familiar, kid-friendly food in order to avoid aversions to textures, temperatures, or spiciness.
- Have quiet spaces where kids can take breaks
- Use one electronic device at a time or avoid altogether
The Right Tools
In addition to creating an inviting space, there are toys and accessories that can help kids who are over- or understimulated calm down. It helps them focus on one task that can be fun, relaxing, and educational. Some examples are:
- Fidget spinners, chewies, and other sensory tools
- Mini trampoline
- Legos, puzzles
- Educational tablet
- Headphones, ear plugs
- Soft, comfortable clothing
- Weighted blankets
- Hats and sunglasses for fluorescent lighting
Here to Help
In addition to our Behavioral Health services, we maintain a dedicated list of community resources for families with a variety of needs. You can connect with one of our support navigators at the Hancock Health Connection Center at 317-468-4231 or visit our resourse database.
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