7 Day Series, Day 2: Providing Structure and Safety for Children with ASD.

By Sharon Rose

      Parents of an autistic child should learn all they can about autism and get involved in their ASD child's treatment and education. Your active support will make a difference. Providing structure and safety for your child will make daily home life easier for your ASD child, for you, and for the family.  Likely, there are also activities you and your ASD child can enjoy together away from home.  Just have a sound safety plan in place. 

Providing Structure and Safety:

1. Be consistent - ASD children find it difficult to transfer how to use what they learned in one environment to another environment. (Example - from the therapist's office, to school, to home.)  So, if your child uses sign language to communicate at the therapist's office, encourage him to use it in all of the settings in their daily life. This will reinforce learning the use of sign language as a way for your child to communicate.

2. Stick to a schedule - Create a schedule with regular times for getting up, meals, school, therapy, and bedtime. It is very important to avoid disrupting your ASD child's routine.  If a change in the schedule cannot be avoided, prepare your child in advance.

3. Reward good behavior - It's important to reward good behavior because you want to see it repeated. Praise your child when they act appropriately. Even, go so far as to watch for them carrying out good behavior, or a new skill, and reward them with a sticker or a toy.  Be careful of using hugs as a reward because ASD children are often sensitive to touch. Know your child.

4. Create a home safety zone - Create a private area at home where your child can relax, feel safe and secure, and have quiet time. Organize and set boundaries your child can understand. Use visual cues such as: colored tape, pictures, or gates/fences. Decorate a special area with floor pillows in a corner of a room. Safety proof your home as you would for a baby/toddler, removing or placing in a high, locked cabinet: chemicals, medicines, sharp tools, etc. This is especially important if your child tends to have tantrums and/or violent behaviors.

*Join us tomorrow as our series continues with Day 3: Choosing a Good Treatment Plan.





Copyright, 7 Day Series, Day 2: Providing Structure and Safety for Children with ASD, Sharon Rose, Parents Want to Know 101, April 10, 2018.  All rights reserved.