Changes, both big and small, can be a significant challenge for autistic children. For these children, even the most minor changes, such as trying a new brand of shampoo or eating lunch at a different time, can be just as overwhelming as more significant changes like moving to a new home or traveling to a new place. It is crucial to recognize the stress and insecurity that any change can cause for an autistic person, as their brain processes and copes with changes differently.
The Importance of Routine for Autistic Children
Autistic children live in a confusing world, with a chaotic mix of events, people, places, sounds, and sights. Set routines, specific times, familiar routes, and rituals are critical in bringing order to an otherwise unbearable level of chaos. Trying to keep things the same helps to reduce the fear and anxiety associated with changes.
Rules are also essential for some autistic children, who may find it difficult to learn a new approach to something after they have been taught the “right” way to do it. Some children may find even the smallest change between activities distressing, while others may experience anxiety during significant events like starting or changing school, moving to a new home, or celebrating holidays.
Managing Changes for Autistic Children: Strategies and Tips
Parents, caregivers, and teachers can help autistic children cope with changes by following specific strategies and tips:
- Find out about the change: When a change is inevitable, parents and caregivers should be proactive in finding out what is involved in the change. For instance, they should know when the changes are happening and what is involved.
- Describe the change: Parents and caregivers should use clear language when describing the change and give the child enough time to process what they say. Limiting the use of gestures and facial expressions is also crucial.
- Use visual supports: Visual supports such as photos, books, or collections of images on the child’s device can help explain the change. Visual supports can show the outcome of specific activities, helping the child to understand the situation better.
- Involve the right people: When the change is due to a move to a new school or care service, staff from both settings should be part of the preparations. The autistic child should be central in any decision making, and staff should know about the child’s communication needs and things they get anxious about.
- Moving from one activity to the next: Autistic children may find sequencing challenging, putting what is going to happen in a day in a logical order in their mind. Unstructured time, such as break times at school, may also be difficult to deal with. Parents and caregivers should try to structure activities and be aware of anxiety signs.
- Be aware of anxiety: Autistic children may experience anxiety during changes, so parents and caregivers should look out for signs of anxiety and support the child to express how they are feeling. They could offer a worry book or box where the child can write or draw any concerns they have. Social stories™ can also help explain what the child could do if they are anxious.
Conclusion
In conclusion, managing changes for autistic children is crucial in reducing their stress and anxiety levels. Parents, caregivers, and teachers should recognize the importance of routines in an autistic child’s life and follow specific strategies to help them cope with changes. By being proactive, using visual supports, involving the right people, and being aware of anxiety, parents and caregivers can help their autistic children manage changes and reduce the negative impact of change on their lives.
