Parents of children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) know life can have a lot of ups and downs. Each year, more than two million kids under the age of 15 are injured in some kind of home accident. While we try our best to protect our children, some parents — especially those whose child has special needs — have to go the extra mile. And that extra mile can sometimes be very expensive. Here are a few affordable ways you can set up your home to ensure your child with ASD has opportunities to grow, explore and thrive.
Create a Sensory Safe Space
When your child with ASD is in the throes of a meltdown, removing overwhelming stimuli can hold back the tipping point. However, it’s also helpful to have the right kind of stimuli. That’s where a calm, low-sensory room can come in handy. To help save money, use online coupons to purchase linens, lighting, and furniture that turns a bedroom into a safe space for your child to go through their emotions and come out calm and collected.
Prepare Your Child for Changes in the Home
A child with ASD might become agitated if they have to deal with unexpected or sudden changes in the home — their most familiar environment. It might be something as innocuous as hanging a brightly colored piece of art or as complicated as moving into a new house or neighborhood. Change is going to happen; it is an unavoidable part of life. So, whenever possible, try to turn these scenarios into learning opportunities by having conversations before, during and after a change in the home. Encourage them to participate as much as they want and are interested in when it comes to implementing these changes.
Utilize Textured Flooring
A child on the autism spectrum can feel more calm and grounded when they are brought back into the present moment. Access to a variety of full-body sensations like bean bag chairs, crash mats, and carpet can create this experience. Get the right amount of sensory stimulation and stay within budget by looking for items, colored gel floor tiles that squish when kids step, jump, push, touch or play on Amazon Warehouse Deals.
Swinging to Settle Down
The back-and-forth and side-to-side motion of swinging can often soothe an upset child’s sense of self and security. It can also be a good distraction — your child can sit in his swing and rock while engaging socially with family or friends. A swing suspended from a single suspension hook gives your child a cozy place to relax and settle down. You can find affordable swings by looking at used ones advertised on consignment websites like eBay and Poshmark.
Keep Clutter to a Minimum
Clutter and mess can create anxiety in many people, but kids on the autism spectrum are especially sensitive to disorder. Keep clutter to a minimum by creating organizational routines and using storage solutions that will cut down on the visual chaos of a child’s bedroom. Find deals on storage containers with lids so toys stay out of sight when they aren’t being used. Use neutral colors for furniture like bookshelves and desks that would likely hold items that can be colorful and distracting. You can get great deals on these items at stores like Lowe’s and Home Depot by taking advantage of cashback promotions and online promo codes.
Having a child diagnosed with ASD is a life-changing experience. Parents of children with autism often say that they learn more about love, kindness, and joy from their child than anything else in life. Make sure to share that love by giving your child access to the space they need to live happily, healthily and independently.
Written By: Lin Buckner
– Lin has learned through trial and error what works and what doesn’t as far as creating a sensory-friendly environment in which her autistic daughter Gracen can thrive.
