Creating a Calming Environment for an Autistic Child

Though figures vary from publication to publication, it is widely accepted that 1 in every 100 people is on the autism spectrum. For children, the impact of autism can lead to heightened stress and anxiety. They struggle to process the world around them, but are often required to follow another person’s structure. They might like to stay indoors where it’s peaceful and quiet, but they find themselves required to attend school or to go shopping with a parent. Their home should be the safe space that the rest of the world can’t offer them. Here are ways to create that safe space, with their sensory needs in mind: Equip them with an enclosed sensory environment Wide open spaces can cause autistic individuals to become overwhelmed and panicked. A tent is a valuable tool. It provides somewhere small, cosy and safe in which to rest and relax. Some autistic children prefer to sleep in a tent, rather than in a traditional bed. A sensory pod – a pop-up tent that can be equipped with lights, projectors and favourite toys – could be the perfect calming environment. Create a space that’s clear and clean ‘Busy’ and messy environments can be very overwhelming for children with autism. Many find comfort in order – categorization, alphabetical or numerical arrangements or the lining up of toys. Their safe space should be clean and clear, without too many objects to draw their attention. Think about the environments that might be created for users of manual or electric wheelchairs. Imagine that the autistic child, likewise, requires extra space to navigate around the room that they’re in. Mess on the floor, overhanging edges (such as wall shelves) and excess furniture can simply create confusion. Don’t set limits or invade the safe space If someone with autism is feeling overwhelmed, the additional input of your conversation can make things significantly worse. If an autistic person is in their calming environment, leave them to relax on their own. They’ll let you know if they’d like your company, but should have somewhere that they can retreat to where they’ll not be bothered by social interaction. In the same vein, you shouldn’t tell someone that they can escape to their safe space for 10 minutes, or any other specific length of time. This puts pressure on someone to calm down to a time limit, with the clock ticking down the seconds until they’ll be required to interact again. If anything, this will have entirely the opposite effect. Provide sensory stimulation toys ‘Stim’ toys are everyday objects, or specific toys, that appeal to the senses in particular. Stress balls, spinning objects and rockers are ideal for repetitive movements. Different children will like different types of sensory stimulation. When they’re overwhelmed, it may help them to have their favourite toys on hand. Adapt their space to meet their needs The child should be able to reach their safe space on their own, and shouldn’t be blocked from doing so by any physical or mental barrier. They should feel free to escape, when the world around them is getting too stressful. If they do happen to use a wheelchair, whether it’s an electric wheelchair or a manual, their space should be on the level that they spend most of their time on. Nobody wants to wait for an elevator, or ask to be helped to an upper or lower floor of the house, when they’re trying to quickly escape. It may be that you can’t safely allow a very small child to retreat to a room on their own. In these cases, a sensory pop-up tent in the corner of a room may be a suitable compromise. Ear defenders can be used to block out the sounds of other people. For older children and teenagers, a door lock may make a calming space feel completely safe to use.