Make moving more manageable for a child with autism

28 May 2019 Make moving more manageable for a child with autism

Moving house is a stressful experience for anyone but if you have autism, such a major change can be totally overwhelming.

Figures from the National Autistic Society suggest more than 695,000 people in the UK are on the autism spectrum and the condition affects different people in different ways. But there are things you can do to make the process of moving house easier.

Talk it through beforehand

If you are moving house with an autistic child, spend time preparing them for the change. Talk through exactly what will happen on moving day itself as well as once you have made it into your new home. Make sure they know the reasons for moving and highlight any positives. For example, if your new home is going to be closer to grandparents or other family members or if your child will have a bigger bedroom or a nicer garden. Spend time talking about all the things that will stay the same too so your child knows that not everything will be changing.

Use visual aids

Some people with autism find it easier to take in information visually. Use a calendar to visually tick off the days until you move. Photographs of your new house can be a helpful way of preparing a child or young person, along with visual aids to spell out what will happen on moving day. You could use photographs and images to create social stories about moving house, including details like packing your stuff into boxes and the removal crew arriving. You could also include maps to show where you are moving to and mark familiar landmarks like their school and the library. If you can, include a layout of the new house and where their bedroom will be.

Remember little things matter

Be aware that even small changes may be a source of anxiety for someone with autism. Some autistic people are more sensory aware than others so different smells, noises and levels of light in the new property can be unsettling. Make time for some enjoyable and calming activities to escape the hustle and bustle of moving and reduce stress levels. Try where possible to provide some consistency in your new home  - for example, you could make sure it smells similar by using the same brand of air freshener or scented candles.

Consider childcare

It might be helpful to arrange for your child to be looked after by someone else on moving day itself. However, if you do choose for your child to go somewhere else, make sure they understand exactly what will happen and allow them time to say goodbye to their home before they go. For some children, getting involved in moving and having their own tasks to complete can be helpful as it will help them feel more in control of what is happening.

Prioritise creating a safe space

Many children with autism really value having their own space and their bedroom can be an important haven to escape from the stresses of the outside world. Prioritise unpacking your child’s room first and help them to arrange their furniture in a similar way to in your former property. This will then provide them with somewhere they can go if they start to feel overwhelmed with all the unpacking and chaos elsewhere in the house.

 

Stick to the old routines

Try to keep to your usual routines as much as possible, although this may be challenging on moving day itself. Once you are in your new home, try to get back to a recognisable daily routine as quickly as possible to make the change less unsettling.

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