The recent images of floods in Pakistan, earthquake in Turkey and storms in US are a reminder of unpredictability of this world and the need to prepare our neurodiverse child for the unexpected. Remember our children thrive with structure, routine, predictability, and familiarity. Any kind of emergencies (or even preparations for them) will be a change to what they are used to: from fire drill or lockdowns in school, to a natural catastrophe or a family situation. You will need to prepare them (and yourselves) on how to respond.
The best way to start this process would be to talk to our child beforehand. Address this in a manner that will resonate with your child. This could be through social stories or a simple conversation, always making sure it is framed in a manner which feels nonthreatening and appropriate for your child. Once that conversation occurs, you can start by putting together a rudimentary action plan. Include the child in this activity as well. What this looks like will be specific to a child but a few things your plan could include:
- Who to go to for support: Help identify adults who will be able to help the child. This can include adults who the child knows and feels comfortable. Alert those identified adults to the possibility of needing their support in the future. You can also include a description of authority figures who could be involved in the emergency and the role they will play e.g. doctors, firefighters, police.
- The process you need to follow: This could include action plans with descriptions of what to do in different scenarios e.g. a fire or earthquakes. You could create this through social stories or through visuals that show what to do.
- What you can do to stay calm: A reminder to you, your child and other adults on calming strategies that can work for your child: breathing, sensory fidgets, progressive muscle relaxation, counting silently etc. If certain objects will work for example noise cancelling headphones then please make sure they are accessible.
This is not an exhaustive list and the most important thing is for you to work with your child. Make sure it is done in an engaging and simple manner without scaring the child. Set reminders for yourself to periodically review the plan as your child grows and develops so it reflects their current needs.
Stay safe, stay healthy.
Durriya Ahmed Shamsi is a behaviour therapist practising in the United States. She is a board certified behaviour analyst (BCBA) and licensed behaviour specialist (LBS).
