As a parent with a busy schedule, while caring for an autistic child, you are most likely aware of autism wandering and the dangers it poses. According to a study, nearly 50% of children with autism spectrum disorder have wandered from their designated safe spaces. Unfortunately, you cannot always keep an eye on your child. The good news is that there are a few tips to help you keep your child safe during those busy moments, including the following.
Secure Your Home Effectively
To keep your child from wandering, you must ensure that your home is properly secured to minimize danger and the risk of accidents. That said, set priority areas in your home that require upgrades or modifications. These could be your child’s bedroom, bathroom, kitchen, living room, and any other rooms with high traffic. Consequently, arrange the furniture in those designated rooms in a comfortable way for your child. If your child enjoys doing seated activities, ensure that all table surfaces are clear and that you set up the appropriate chairs.
If your child likes to move around a lot, arrange your furniture to help limit excessive movements. Avoid furniture that your child may likely climb. You can also use locks and install alarms where it is appropriate. This strategy will stop your child from leaving a supervised area or attempting to leave. You should cover or take out electrical outlets and reduce access to electrical devices and appliances. If your child is at the reading age, you can label everyday items around the home and use visual signs to warn them.
Understand What Triggers Your Child
Raising a child with autism means that you have most likely witnessed them going through difficult periods and eventually having meltdowns. You must learn to understand these patterns and identify what causes them to wander. More often than not, autistic children wander off to find relief after a stressful situation. Or perhaps they do not like crowds and do not like to receive too much information at once. It could also be a change in routines that could create stress, meltdowns, or anxiety. The more you take the time to understand your child’s triggers, the better you can adopt strategies that reduce these stressors and help your child cope.
Teach Your Child How to Swim
Unfortunately, children with autism are 160 times more likely to die from drowning than other children. You must teach your child how to swim when they reach the ages of two and three. It should be one of the first things to learn even before other therapies are designed to improve their quality of life long-term. Various community centers around your town or neighborhood specialize in teaching autistic children how to swim. Include visual signs, stories, and scenarios to help them learn about safety. This will teach your child what they can do if they ever wander and get lost.
Autism wandering can pose a serious risk to children. Accidents happen, and if your child gets hurt from wandering, ensure that you give them the urgent care needed. Keep ensuring that all safety measures are in place and help them understand the need for those measures.