Going out can be a source of stress for an individual with autism especially if it is to new places and exposes them to new experiences.
After my child’s diagnosis I became scared to go out. I didn’t know how to go out with him. There were always people watching us, all the time, pointing, staring. Even people who tried to help always said the wrong thing. But when I stopped going out, then my son wasn’t getting the socialising he needed either. It became a vicious circle.
As a parent there are some things that you may want to do to make the process as easy for them as possible. These include:
- Preparing your child as much as possible in advance giving
them information on where they are going and what they will be expected to do. You can do this by showing them videos or pictures of the place they will visit and people they will meet or writing down a visual timetable or routine for the day. If you have been invited to a person’s house you can ask them for as much information as possible to share with your child. - Create a special bag, with all of your child’s favourite objectives including the food and drink they like. When you have reached the place, you can keep the bag in a quiet corner so the child knows they can retreat and play with familiar objectives if they are getting overwhelmed or anxious.
- Let the child know there will be a reward for them at the end of the day.
- Going out with a child on the spectrum will be stressful for you too. But stay as calm as possible. Otherwise the child will associate going out with you getting stressed and anxious and they may be even less willing to go out next time.
them information on where they are going and what they will be expected to do. You can do this by showing them videos or pictures of the place they will visit and people they will meet or writing down a visual timetable or routine for the day. If you have been invited to a person’s house you can ask them for as much information as possible to share with your child.If you are an individual with autism you can try some of these tips yourself:
- Find out as much as possible about the place you are visiting and what you will be expected to do.
- Be aware of when you are getting overwhelmed or stressed and give yourself breaks.
- Take something you enjoy doing with you that you can use during a break such as a book.
- Plan something that you can look forward to after the visit
If you have any strategies, tips or tools to share with others please contact us. We are listening.
