The new year is one of the best times to make changes to your personal habits and living spaces alike. If your child is on the autism spectrum, we’re sure you devote no shortage of time to things you can do to help them. Are you curious what little changes you can make to make life easier for your child in 2021? Look no further than these autism-friendly home modifications.
Stay Organized!
Most people make it a goal to stay organized, but whether they actually succeed in doing so is another story. But if your child has autism, you may want to be extra vigilant and dedicated in your efforts to reduce clutter. A disorganized living space can make home life for children with sensory issues challenging.
Studies show that an organized living and working space can improve the psychological wellbeing of those who use it. Why not take advantage of the new year and commit to keeping your home organized?
Control the Lighting
It is no secret that many children with autism are sensitive to light. Over the years, you’ve probably gotten a sense of what sort of lights have the potential to upset your child—from bright lights, to flickering, to fluorescents.
You have probably already given some thought to how you can control the lighting in your home to make it as comfortable as possible for your child. Still, here are some specific autism-friendly home modifications that you might not have thought of:
- Black-out curtains
- Window tinting
- Dimmable light switches
- Light therapy lamps
Reduce Bright Colors
Just as many children with autism react poorly to bright lights, many can be sensitive to bright colors. This is something you may want to take into account in order for your home to be as autism-friendly as possible.
If you have any rooms that are brightly painted, now would be a good time to paint them a subtler color. Keep this in mind with your furnishing as well. Boldly colored furniture could be causing your child undue stress. See the new year as an opportunity to say farewell to some of your old furniture and hello to something newer.
The Connections Therapy Center
The Connections Therapy Center serves families of children and adolescents with disabilities and special needs. We are a team of experts in the fields of pediatric speech, occupational therapy, speech-language pathology, and behavioral sciences. As a team, we offer intensive hands-on therapy for children and adolescents, as well as informative and useful resources for families. If you are interested in learning more about what we can do to help your family, visit us online or give us a call at (301) 577-4333. Want to get more information on how to help your child thrive? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google+, and Pinterest.