Young people with autism are almost three times more likely to die in an accident as children without the condition. That’s a disturbing thing to think about as the parent of such a child, but it’s probably not surprising. After all, youngsters with autism spectrum disorders, or ASDs, possess a number of characteristics that make them more susceptible to danger. For example, they exhibit very little fear and often seem insensitive to pain. Furthermore, because they have difficulty expressing fear, anger or anxiety in a normal way, these kids often lash out by throwing things or behaving violently.
It’s not their fault, and as a parent, you want to do everything possible so they remain safe, especially at home, which should be a place of happiness and security. Here are some modifications to ensure it remains precisely that. Many are the same as precautions for a toddler, but they should be continued at a more advanced age for children who are on the autism spectrum.
Secure Heavy Cabinets
As they often misinterpret your wishes and don’t understand what’s dangerous, there’s a good chance your child will attempt to climb on your furniture, which could topple over and cause grievous injury. Eliminate this potential disaster by securing top-heavy cabinets to a wall stud using brackets, braces, anchors or straps. Furthermore, toys, candy and anything else that’s tempting should never be stored on a high shelf.
Install Safety Locks
These will keep your child out of drawers or cabinets where you’ve stored your knives, cleaning products and other dangerous items. There are a variety of different kinds on the market, such as magnetic locks and adhesive locks, as well as models specifically designed for stoves, toilets, doors and windows. The latter are particularly important to keep your child from falling out a window in the upper story.
Put Up Some Barriers
There are likely parts of the house that are “no-go” zones, such as the basement, garage or kitchen. That’s why baby gates come in handy, as they can block your child from entering anywhere dangerous while allowing you full freedom of movement. They come in a variety of measurements and materials, though whatever you buy should be certified by the Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association.
Conceal Cables and Wires
Not only are they trip hazards, but younger children may put them in their mouth and chew while you’re not looking, and that’s something you don’t want to even imagine. Duct cord covers, which look like little rubber speed bumps, keep cords running along the ground and protected from prying hands that try to snatch them up. While you’re eliminating electrical hazards, you may also consider some child-proof covers for the outlets.
Create a Safe Space
This could be an entirely separate room or just a quiet corner with natural light, a table and some chairs where they can work on their arts and crafts projects, says Your Modern Family. Your child will be naturally drawn to this space rather than other areas of the house that can be a bit overwhelming. To make it more attractive, paint it in cooling colors and keep it free of clutter with an easy-to-use storage system.
Get a Service Animal
Service dogs that are specially trained to work with people with autism create unique bonding opportunities for your child and help them socialize with other children. The greatest
advantages, however, come from the increase in safety, which will put your mind at ease when you know the dog is near. Among their skills, these service dogs are trained to run interference in situations where the child is in danger and keep the child from wandering off.
With their safety taken care of, you can move onto other things, like helping your child develop their motor and cognitive skills, or maybe just play together and have fun. They deserve it.