Discover 14 Autism parenting hacks in this post. Read to find out how to get through a day smoothly and let your Autistic child thrive!
Hey there, parents of autistic children!
I understand the difficulties and burdens of raising a child with an autism diagnosis you face.
Every day can present a unique set of challenges, but I want you to know that you are not alone.
This blog is here to help you navigate the complex world of raising an autistic child by providing valuable tips and hacks to make your life easier and your child’s life happier.
As parents, it is essential to have the right tools and techniques to create a structured routine, simplify communication, find enjoyable activities, and create a safe space for your child.
In this post, I’ll explore some practical solutions to everyday struggles that you may face while raising an autistic child.
From sensory activities to communication aids, I’ve got you covered.
I understand that raising an autistic child can be a daunting task.
Still, with the proper knowledge and resources, you can help your child live a fulfilling and happy life.
Let’s dive into our life hacks for parents of autistic children and make your journey a little smoother.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#1-Create a Structured Routine
One of the most important things you can do for your autistic child is to establish a consistent daily routine.
Autistic children thrive on routine, and having a structured routine can help your child feel more secure and less anxious.
Keep the same daily schedule, including wake-up times, meal times, and bedtime.
This can help your child know what to expect and reduce stress.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#2-Use Visual Aids
Many autistic children respond well to visual aids such as pictures, charts, and diagrams.
Use these to help your child understand tasks, schedules, and expectations.
For example, you can use pictures to illustrate what activities will happen during the day or to show what time it is.
This can help your child feel more engaged and motivated.
This post talks about PECS, an excellent tool for visual communication, so check it out.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#3-Simplify Communication
Autistic children often struggle with communication, so it’s essential to keep communication simple and straightforward.
Use short, simple sentences and avoid using sarcasm or abstract concepts.
Try to speak slowly and calmly, and give your child time to process what you are saying.
If you’re unsure your child understands, ask them to repeat what you said.
You can read in this post how to communicate with your autistic child.
And here, you will find some fantastic ideas on how to boost your child’s speaking and understanding.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#4-Find Activities Your Child Enjoys
Autistic children often have specific interests, so finding activities they enjoy can help them feel more engaged and motivated.
This can be anything from art to music to sports.
Try to find activities your child enjoys and encourage them to pursue their interests.
If you don’t know where to start, why not get a pet? This post will give you 20 reasons to get a dog for your autistic child.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#5-Use Sensory Tools
Many autistic children are sensitive to sensory stimuli such as noise, touch, or light.
Use sensory tools such as weighted blankets or fidget toys to help your child regulate their sensory input.
For example, a weighted blanket can provide deep pressure stimulation, which can be calming and soothing for some autistic children.
Check out this post here for details on sensory tools and more sensory gadgets.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#6-Create a Safe Space
Autistic children often feel overwhelmed by their environment, so creating a safe and calming space for them can be helpful.
This can be a designated room or even just a corner of a room.
Fill it with items your child enjoys, such as toys, books, or puzzles.
Make sure it is a quiet and comfortable space where your child can relax and feel safe.
If indoors is somewhere your child or you would rather not spend more time, check this post here. It talks about all the reasons why being outdoors is beneficial for your autistic child.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#7-Connect with Other Parents
Connecting with other parents of autistic children can provide support and advice.
Join a support group or online forum to connect with others who understand what you’re going through.
You can share your experiences, ask for advice, and learn from others.
Social media and blogs might be excellent sources for connecting with people.
Also, many local authorities, charities or schools host groups or workshops for parents where you can meet like-minded people who are in the same boat.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#8-Use Color-Coded Clothing
This is a practical hack: If your child struggles with getting dressed in the morning, try using colour-coded clothing.
For example, assign a specific colour to each day of the week so your child knows what to wear without thinking about it.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#9-Use a Visual Timer
Many autistic children struggle with transitions, so using a visual timer can be helpful.
For example, set a timer for 5 minutes before it’s time to stop playing and start getting ready for bed.
Your child can see the timer counting down and know when to switch activities.
You can use a sand timer or a kitchen timer.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#10-Create a Sensory Bin
Fill a plastic container with materials your child can touch and manipulate, such as sand, rice, or dried beans. This can help your child regulate their sensory input and provide a calming activity.
Use a whiteboard for schedules.
Create a daily schedule on a whiteboard, including activities, meals, and transitions.
Use pictures or symbols to help your child understand the schedule and make it more engaging.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#11-Use a visual schedule app
There are many visual schedule apps available that can help your child understand their daily routine.
Some apps even allow you to add pictures and sound to the schedule to make it more engaging.
Some of the apps are First-Then Visual Schedule, Choiceworks,iPrompts, and Visual Schedule Planner.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#12-Use social stories
Social stories are short, written or visual prompts that help your child understand social situations and interactions.
For example, create a social story for a playdate or a family gathering.
You can check out our youtube channel for countless videos of social stories.
For those not familiar with social stories, I wrote about them here.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#13-Use a visual rewards chart
A visual rewards chart can help motivate your child and reinforce positive behaviour.
Use pictures or symbols to represent rewards, and allow your child to earn rewards for completing tasks or exhibiting positive behaviour.
Autism Parenting Hacks:
#14-Use noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs
If your child is sensitive to noise, noise-cancelling headphones (called ear defenders) or earplugs can be helpful.
They can block out distracting sounds and help your child stay focused.
This post talk about them and other gadgets for sensory sensitivities.
I hope these hacks and tips will be useful to you and your family, and we encourage you to try them out and see what works best for you and your child.
Remember, you’re not alone on this journey.
Many resources are available to help you and your family navigate the challenges of raising an autistic child.
If you have any additional hacks or tips you would like to share with our community, please leave them in the comments below.
We’d love to hear from you and continue the conversation about how parents of autistic children can support each other.
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