Moving to a new home takes a lot of careful planning, no matter what the circumstances are. But when your child is on the autism spectrum, there are several important considerations to make before the big day. Ensuring your new home is safe and accessible for your child is one; taking steps to keep her happy and comfortable during the moving process is another.
It can be overwhelming to take on these tasks while you’re also cleaning and preparing to pack, so Solve Learning Disabilities shares these resources that can benefit your entire family before and after the move. Then, think about your child’s specific needs and how you can ensure that the new house meets them.
Think safety and accessibility
Every individual on the autism spectrum has different abilities and needs; your child might require a quiet space to relax and de-stress, or a room where she can play with sensory toys. She might have a tendency to wander, necessitating security devices on doors and windows as well as a lack of stairs.
When looking for the perfect home, it can be helpful to consider things like proximity to therapists or doctors, your child’s school, and fun attractions or events. You can also look for local classes or groups that will help your child thrive. Talk about the possibility of making new friends to get her excited about the changes, and look for resources to help enhance your child’s social skills.
Of course, it’s rare to find a home or neighborhood that meets every single item on your checklist, so think about ways you can make inexpensive updates or small modifications that are within your price range. Research homes in your target area to find out how much they’re going for so you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
Once you’ve chosen the area where you’d like to live, it’s time to start shopping for mortgages. It’s best to get preapproved for a mortgage before looking at a home so you’ll know exactly how much you can spend. Keep in mind that you can lower your monthly mortgage payments by putting more down.
Keep communication open
Many children find moving to be stressful, but it helps if you keep communication open about what they can expect throughout the process. Show your child pictures of the new house or visit it together if possible. Talk about the process of packing and emphasize the fact that their belongings will accompany them to your new home; it may even be helpful to allow her to help with packing, as long as it’s safe to do so. Try to keep routines the same each day to prevent anxiety. If your child is having a hard time with the idea of the move, you might look for an episode of a favorite television show or a movie that deals with the process in a relatable way.
Consider your options
One great option to help with outbursts and behavior is to consider primitive reflex integration. It is simple exercises that help eliminate the reflexes that should have disappeared by age one. May children with Autism still have some remaining well after the age of five.
There are several ways to get started with a move, so it’s wise to think about all your options in order to limit stress. Hiring a moving service can ensure that the packing and moving process go off without a hitch, and it will also free up some of your time so you can focus on helping your child get acclimated while staying safe. There are several factors that determine the cost of the service, such as the distance of the move and the day of the week your belongings will be loaded and delivered; use resources like Angi to help you find the perfect moving company for your budget and needs.
Moving is a big job, from the planning to the packing, and it often requires a lot of patience. Practice self-care to prevent burnout, give yourself plenty of time to complete tasks and create a checklist to stay organized throughout the process. Think about how you can involve your child from the beginning in order to ease any stress or anxieties she may have.
Photo via Pexels
