This article was brought to use by Autism Parenting Magazine website
Expert insights on designing spaces that truly support your child’s needs
Key Points:
- Autism support expert identifies seven frequent oversights parents make when adapting their homes for children with autism
- Expert highlights sensory overload issues, lighting problems, and lack of consistent routines as key challenges that can be easily addressed
- Parents should focus on creating predictable, calming environments that support their child’s specific sensory needs rather than following generic advice
Creating a supportive home environment for a child with autism requires thoughtful consideration of their unique sensory needs and preferences. Many well-intentioned parents make adjustments to their homes without realizing some common pitfalls that could actually hinder their child’s comfort and development.
Mark Blakey, CEO of Autism Parenting Magazine, an award-winning publication dedicated to improving the lives of families affected by autism, shares insights on these common mistakes and offers practical solutions to help parents create truly supportive spaces for their children.
“When parents learn their child has autism, they often rush to make immediate changes to their home environment,” explains Blakey. “While this enthusiasm comes from a place of love, taking time to understand your specific child’s needs rather than applying general solutions can make a significant difference.”
1. Overlooking Individual Sensory Preferences
One of the most common mistakes parents make is assuming all children with autism have the same sensory sensitivities. Some children may be hypersensitive to certain stimuli, finding normal sounds, lights, or textures overwhelming, while others might be hyposensitive, seeking out intense sensory experiences.
“Parents often implement changes based on general autism guidelines without observing their own child’s specific reactions,” says Blakey. “I recommend keeping a sensory journal for at least two weeks to document your child’s responses to different environments before making significant changes to your home.”
2. Creating Visually Overwhelming Spaces
To make learning spaces engaging, parents sometimes fill rooms with bright colors, multiple posters, and numerous visual aids. For some children with autism, this visual clutter can be overwhelming and make it difficult to focus.
Mark’s solution: Opt for neutral wall colors with minimal decorations. Use clear, consistent organizational systems with visual labels that help your child understand where things belong. Store items in covered containers or cabinets to reduce visual stimulation when needed.
3. Ignoring Acoustic Considerations
Many homes have hard surfaces that amplify sounds – tile floors, hardwood, and bare walls all contribute to noise reverberation that can be distressing for children with auditory sensitivities.
Mark’s solution: Incorporate sound-absorbing elements like area rugs, curtains, acoustic panels, or fabric wall hangings. Consider using weather stripping around doors to buffer sounds from other rooms. White noise machines can also help mask unpredictable environmental sounds that might cause distress.
4. Poor Lighting Choices
Standard fluorescent lighting can be particularly problematic for children with autism, as they may perceive the subtle flickering that others don’t notice.
“Lighting is often overlooked, but it can significantly impact a child’s comfort,” Blakey notes. “Many parents don’t realize their child might be seeing imperceptible flickering in fluorescent bulbs that can trigger sensory overload or even migraines in some children.”
Mark’s solution: Whenever possible, maximize natural light. Replace fluorescent bulbs with LEDs or incandescent options. Install dimmer switches to adjust brightness levels based on your child’s changing needs throughout the day.
5. Lack of Consistent Routines and Visual Supports
Parents sometimes fail to incorporate visual schedules and supports throughout the home, which can leave children feeling anxious about what comes next.
Mark’s solution: Create clear visual schedules showing daily routines. Use simple picture cards or written instructions for multi-step activities like morning preparation or bedtime routines. Place these visual supports where the activities occur, such as bathroom routines in the bathroom and mealtime expectations near the dining area.
6. Neglecting Safe Sensory Retreat Spaces
When children become overwhelmed, they need a designated space to regulate their emotions and sensory input.
Mark’s solution: Create a calming sensory space with comfortable seating, weighted blankets, noise-canceling headphones, and favorite sensory tools. This doesn’t require an entire room – even a converted closet, corner, or area under a loft bed can serve as an effective retreat space when thoughtfully designed.
7. Implementing Changes Without Preparation
Making sudden changes to the home environment without preparing a child with autism can cause significant distress, even when the changes are intended to be helpful.
“Children with autism often rely heavily on predictability and sameness in their environment,” Blakey explains. “Even positive changes can be upsetting if they appear suddenly without warning or explanation.”
Mark’s solution: Use social stories with pictures to explain upcoming changes before they happen. Involve your child in the process when appropriate, offering choices between acceptable options to give them some control. Make changes gradually when possible, rather than all at once.
Mark Blakey, CEO of Autism Parenting Magazine, comments:
“The most important thing to remember when creating an autism-friendly home is that it should be designed specifically for your child, not according to a generic template. What works wonderfully for one child might be completely ineffective or even distressing for another. Parents often make these common mistakes with the best intentions, which is why it’s vital to understand your individual child’s sensory profile.
“Small, thoughtful adjustments can make a tremendous difference in a child’s ability to feel safe, regulated, and understood at home. When children aren’t constantly struggling with sensory overload or environmental stress, they have more energy for learning, connecting with family members, and developing important life skills. Creating an appropriate home environment isn’t just about avoiding meltdowns – it’s about providing the foundation your child needs to thrive.”
About Autism Parenting Magazine
Autism Parenting Magazine is an award-winning publication dedicated to improving the lives of families affected by autism worldwide. Established in 2012, the magazine provides objective coverage of autism-related topics, events, treatments, and success stories, offering a valuable resource for parents seeking informed decisions and the latest therapeutic options. With contributions from professionals, autism experts, and individuals on the spectrum, the magazine fosters a supportive community while advocating for understanding, acceptance, and individualized approaches to autism care.
This article was brought to use by Autism Parenting Magazine website
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Glenda, Charlier and David Cates
