Understanding what causes your child to experience sensory overload is key in order to reduce it happening and find solutions to help support them when it does. If you can, speak to your child about how they are feeling and what sensory experiences can be overwhelming for them. If your child struggles to communicate, observe them and keep a diary so that you can establish a pattern of behaviour and can identify sensory overload. Key signs include covering ears or eyes, rocking back and forth or other repetitive behaviours, clenching fists and becoming tense and becoming agitated and upset without obvious cause.
Use visuals to help your child to know when they are transitioning from one environment or activity to the next. This can help to reduce anxiety and help them to prepare for change, which in turn can help them to feel more in control and less overwhelmed.
Communicate with other supporting adults so that they are aware of what can cause sensory overload and overstimulation for your child. Working together is vital in ensuring a consistent approach to avoid certain sensory experiences and use the same tools to support your child when they are feeling overloaded and overstimulated.
Providing a calm and predictable space for your child, when possible, is a great way to reduce sensory overload and overstimulation. In order to create a sensory friendly environment you should consider the lighting, noise levels, colours and temperature.
Some children find a quiet space comforting when they feel overstimulated. Find a quiet space in your house that your child can go to if they need time to decompress and recover from an overwhelming sensory experience. When you are going out for the day, it is useful to identify a place that you can go to if sensory overload occurs when you are out and about, for example, your car.
Provide a calming place with fidget toys, pillows, bean bag and a soft blanket. This can be as simple as a corner in a room or even a small area rug with calming items. Make sure to practise going there so the child will identify it as a safe place.
Sensory breaks for a short period of time can help to reduce overstimulation in a child and prevent sensory overload. During a sensory break you could do deep pressure activities, such as sitting with a weighted blanket or toy or physical activities such as jumping on a trampoline.
If your child finds loud or specific noises difficult, ear defenders can be a fantastic aid to use. They can help your child to have control over their hearing environment, which will reduce anxiety and enable them to cope in certain environments.
Fidget toys can provide comfort and distraction, which is great when a child is feeling overwhelmed because of their environment and sensory needs. Keeping a fidget toy nearby can help to reduce sensory and psychological stress as well as anxiety.
If you have a child who has sensitivities to the way that clothes fit, the way that fabrics feel to the point where they won’t wear certain clothes, this can also be a cause of sensory overstimulation in children.
Specialkids.Company have a range of sensory friendly clothing that can help ease sensitivities, our range of clothing is made from sensory friendly materials with no tags and there are also seamfree options available.
]]>Early Bird is a course for parents and carers of children under 5 who have received a diagnosis of autism. It is designed to help parents better understand their child’s behaviour and how best to support and communicate with them. Bridging the age gap between nursery and school, the Early Bird course can help you prepare for your child’s school placement and what they will need to help them be supported at school.
For more information on this course, visit the National Autistic Society online or speak to your Health Visitor or child’s health professional.
Early Bird Plus is for parents and carers of children diagnosed with autism between the ages of 4 and 9. The course aims to promote a consistent approach across home and school by encouraging parents to attend with a professional who works regularly with their child. This helps to support parents and professionals working together to problem solve and develop strategies.
For more information on this course, visit the National Autistic Society online or speak to your Health Visitor or child’s health professional.
For parents and carers of children aged 10 to 16, Teen Life is the programme for you. Similarly, it is recommended that a professional attends as well as parent carers to work in harmony together to support autistic teenagers through day-to-day life. Subjects include puberty, stress and anxiety, independent skills – to name a few.
For more information on this course, visit the National Autistic Society online or speak to your Health Visitor or child’s health professional.
The National Autistic Society has a host of E-Learning modules that you can complete in your own time at home. They have been designed and written by autistic people and autism specialists to help you to improve your knowledge and understanding of autism. Whilst some modules are free, some need to be purchased. Each module is around 60-90 minutes and the subjects are as follows:
● A guide to the mental health experiences and needs of autistic teenagers
● Understanding autism
● Autism and communication
● Autism and sensory experience
● Autism, stress and anxiety
● Autism: supporting families
● Women and girls on the autistic spectrum
● Autism, sport and physical activity
● Autism and the police service
● Autism and the workplace
● Understanding autism for public transport professionals
● Managing money
● Finding employment
This is a free online understanding Autism course taking you from diagnosis and various transitions into adulthood. Topics include communication, behaviour and sensory needs. This course is focused more around introduction to Autism, if you already have a general understanding of Autism, the same provider has a course for professionals which covers the topics in more detail.
People with autism and autism experts have helped to develop training modules and materials to help parents and carers support their children to reach their full potential. For more information click here.
This website has free government funded courses to help parents of autistic children understand their child’s needs and offer the best support available. It’s a six week course, split into six modules:
● What is meant by ‘autism’
● Person-centered support
● Communication
● Sensory processing
● Positive behaviour
● Fulfilled lives
For more information, click here.
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Not only may your child want to avoid social situations because of this, but anxiety might also cause them to have a low mood, feel anxious and overwhelmed, cause nausea, insomnia and panic attacks. It is therefore important that parents are aware of what can trigger their child’s anxiety so that they can explore what can help and support them.
If your child has sensory needs, consider where the social meeting is taking place, including travelling to and from the location. It could be the noise and smell of the area or the feel of the furniture. It might even be a concern over eating and whether there will be social pressure to eat something that they are uncomfortable with. It is important to find places that your child feels comfortable visiting and for some children this may simply be at home, which is their safe space. Look for venues that have a quiet space, if needed.
Lots of children with autism have communication difficulties. If your child is non-verbal or has limited speech, are they able to communicate how they feel in social situations? A communication passport, which explains how your child interacts and communicates in specific situations, might be helpful for those that they are interacting with. Some children feel misunderstood and feel like they don’t ‘fit in’. They might find it hard to read social cues and this can cause anxiety and avoidance of certain social situations.
Other things that you can do to support your child when experiencing social anxiety is:
1. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
It is quite common for children with autism to have ADHD. Both are neurological disorders, which can interact with one another. ADHD can affect behaviour and your child might be restless and have difficulty concentrating. Children with ADHD often act on impulse and can struggle to follow instructions, be organised and socialise.
2. Problems with joints
Some children with autism also have problems with joints, which can be flexible and painful. Hypermobility is a condition that a lot of autistic children have, as is Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. These can impact your child’s balance, cause pain and difficulty walking and cause them to tire easily.
3. Insomnia
It is perhaps no surprise that lots of children with autism have difficulty sleeping. Insomnia is unfortunately very common and lots of children struggle to get to sleep and stay asleep.
4. Learning Disabilities
Learning Disabilities are often associated with autism and can vary in severity. For some children, their cognitive ability is impacted, they may have speech and language difficulties and may have difficulty with understanding and danger awareness. As a result of this, some children with autism may need to attend schools for children with complex special educational needs.
5. Epilepsy
It is unclear why children with autism are more likely to develop epilepsy than neurotypical children, however, there is evidence to show that there is a link between autism and epilepsy. According to the National Autistic Society, ‘different studies have shown that intellectual disability (ID) is the major risk factor for autistic people developing epilepsy. The risk for epilepsy in autistic children without an ID is 8%, increasing to 20% in those with an ID. The risk can be as high as 40% in those with severe intellectual disability. Among autistic children who have IQs above 70, approximately 4% develop epilepsy’.
It's important to be aware that epilepsy can present in many ways. Some seizures are obvious, whereas some can present as tics, a blank ‘spaced out’ expression or even laughter. If you suspect your child might be having seizures, it is worthwhile recording the episodes to show a doctor and noting how they felt before and afterwards. Your child might be referred for an electroencephalogram (EEG) or MRI.
6. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
Children with autism are more likely to experience OCD. Compulsions can be physical actions, such as checking something repetitively; mental rituals, such as washing hands; or wanting to complete a compulsion a specific number of times without being interrupted. OCD can be overwhelming and cause worry and fear for some children if things are done a certain way. This can result in intrusive thoughts.
7. Sensory Issues / Sensory Processing Disorder
Most autistic children have some sensory processing issues, which means that they are either over-sensitive or under-sensitive to stimuli that they can smell, taste, touch or hear. Sensory issues are often not diagnosed as a disorder but are common in children with autism, ADHD and anxiety.
8. Mental Health Problems
Sadly, mental health problems often come hand in hand with the difficulties that autism and the conditions associated with it bring. Children may suffer from low mood, anxiety and stress as a result. There is lots of support available if your child is having mental health problems and if you have any concerns you should speak to your child and the team of professionals that support them.
]]>Whereas you can provide your child with deep pressure through touch, compression clothing can be worn all day and be a constant comfort when they are both at home and out and about. It can also be used during the night. Most compression clothing provides what could be described as a tight hug, however, you can also buy weighted items of clothing that provide deep pressure.
With a better understanding of autism and sensory needs these days, there are many items available. Some examples of items you can find online are socks, tights, vests, shorts, leggings, t-shirts, arm sleeves and pyjamas. These pretty much cover all areas of the body. If your child is conscious of appearing different to their peers in terms of what they wear, compression vests are ideal as they can be worn underneath your child’s clothing, not making their sensory needs obvious to others, if this is something that they worry about. Compression vests often help children who seek compression all over their body and can help to decrease other sensory-seeking behaviours that they have.
In addition to clothing items, it is worth noting that you can now find a range of compression items online, such as cuddly toys, cushions and neck wraps. A product that SpecialKids Company recommends is a compression bed sheet called Fidgetbum. Fidgetbum is a sleep aid for children with stress, sensory and sleep issues which is recommended by Occupational Therapists. It helps to keep covers on your child at bedtime and can be hidden discreetly under the covers helping them to feel comforted whilst they sleep.
Generally if your child demonstrates any of the below behaviours, it might be a good idea to try compression clothing.
In this blog, we will list some things that you should consider if you would like to help your child to change their clothes.
]]>In this blog, we will list some things that you should consider if you would like to help your child to change their clothes.
Sensory needs can impact how a child feels wearing a particular item of clothing. Consider if the item is too tight or too loose. Check if there are any labels or seams that they might find irritating. Try to establish which textures they find uncomfortable. Even the colour of their clothes could be distressing. These things can make a huge difference.
Some children with autism struggle to communicate and it can be a bit of a guessing game for parents and trial and error to figure out what works. If your child can understand social stories or PECs (picture exchange cards), you could use these to try and determine which items of clothing they do not like and try to narrow down the issue from there.
If you have a child who dislikes wearing clothing so much that they take their clothes off, a social story can help to explain why this is not always an appropriate thing to do.
Take notes or write a diary of what your child wears and how they react to try and establish what works best for your child. Ask their school to feedback to you too.
Lots of children with sensory needs find deep pressure comforting. It can help them to relax, reduce anxiety and stress and even help to improve mood and concentration. There are lots of different types of compression clothing, including compression and weighted vests. It is worthwhile exploring if this helps. A compression vest can even be worn underneath their regular clothing and can help them to feel more safe and secure.
The seams on clothing can be irritating for children with autism, particularly in socks. Lots of stores now offer a range of seamless clothes to help with this.
Some children may find it difficult to put on and take off their clothing. Some shops, such as Marks and Spencer, offer a range of clothing with this in mind, from Velcro shirts to seamless leggings.
Sometimes the detergents that we use to wash our clothes can have a strong smell. Scentless, non-bio detergents might work better for your child.
If you find something that works, purchase several of the same items if you can.
]]>Of course, the music that your child might enjoy at Christmas very much depends on their mood and their sensory needs. Some children have auditory sensitivity and can be hypersensitive to certain sounds, which can be distressing. These children might prefer quiet, relaxing music. Some children are completely the opposite to this and like loud, bashful noise and will enjoy all the jolly singsongs that Christmas has to offer.
If your child prefers quieter, relaxing songs, you might find that instrumental or classical music is a good option for them. If you search ‘soft Christmas music’ on YouTube, there are plenty of ready-made playlists for you to explore. Similarly, nursery-style, instrumental music can be lovely and relaxing to listen to. This kind of music can be great for autistic children if they are feeling anxious. You could try putting some on at a low volume in a quiet space that they feel comfortable in.
Multi-sensory songs are a great way of interacting with your child and making a real sensory experience of the music for them. Using a range of sensory stimuli and props, you can bring the music to life and enhance the experience of music for your child. For example, for Jingle Bells, you could use bells, some cotton wool for snow, some plastic cups for the sound of reindeer clip-clopping, some fairy lights and perhaps a Santa sack with some boxes or a Santa hat. There are lots of different ideas for multi-sensory stories available online.
Lots of Christmas songs are repetitive and have a good beat, which makes it easier to learn to sing and find the rhythm of. There are some great songs, like ‘When Santa got stuck up the chimney’, that you can sing along to, tap to the rhythm and find the actions online.
Similarly, there are lots of Christmas songs with the Makaton available online to sign along to. This can help your child to develop their communication skills and understand the music. ‘Singing Hands’ have a Christmas playlist online, which is a fantastic
]]>If you know of a place that doesn’t offer an autism-friendly session, it is always worthwhile approaching them and letting them know of the benefits of this and what it would mean to your family and others. There are so many events over the UK this year that are sensory-friendly, that we couldn’t possibly name them all. But here are a few that you might want to consider attending if they are located near you.
Victorian Santa’s Grotto at the Museum of London Docklands (London) – each morning, children with autism can attend to meet Santa in a quiet, calm and relaxed environment from the 3rd to 23rd December. Please check availability online and book in advance to avoid disappointment.
Winter Funland at Intu Trafford Centre (Manchester) & NEC (Birmingham) – The largest indoor winter wonderland has a sensory-friendly session, complete with a quiet space to chill out if things become too overwhelming.
Croxteth Hall T’was the night before Christmas (Liverpool) – an interactive journey through Croxteth Hall meeting characters along the way and the big man himself, Santa. Relaxed sessions are available for pre-booking.
Birmingham Hippodrome (Birmingham) – The Hippodrome in Birmingham has several relaxed performances this year of ‘Dear Santa’, ‘Jack and the Beanstalk’ and ‘Dear Zoo Live!’ Attendees are welcome to walk around the auditorium and make noise throughout and certain aspects of the performance are adapted to suit the audience.
The Eden Project – Meet Father Christmas (Cornwall) – A chance to meet Father Christmas and leave with a storybook of Elfie the Elf’s adventures and a chocolate treat. There are relaxed sessions available with a more informal experience for those with sensory needs.
Lotherton Hall – The Christmas Experience (Leeds) – This experience offers a relaxed visit to see Santa as well as meeting Mrs Claus to decorate gingerbread.
Kings Theatre – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (Glasgow) – A relaxed performance of this festive panto is on Thursday, 14th December and can be booked online.
Five Sisters Zoo Illuminations (Edinburgh) – The zoo's Christmas illuminations are back with a relaxed session for children with autism and sensory needs. You must book in advance to avoid disappointment.
The MacRobert Centre – Aladdin (Stirling) – Bring your child to see Aladdin at the MacRobert Centre in Stirling, which offers an accessible experience and a Changing Places toilet. If you are after something for the younger ones, we recommend the Eric the Elf performance which not only offers a relaxed session, but they have a BSL option too.
M&D’s Believe in Santa (Motherwell) - A festive story, a visit to see Santa, a visit to his workshop and a ride on a carousel are just part of this experience. Bookings are available for children with additional support needs in mind.
Christmas at Bute Park (Cardiff) – Relaxed sessions available for children with autism, experience a Christmas village and beautifully lit trail.
The Millennium Forum – Jack and the Beanstalk (Derry) – A chance to watch the pantomime with accessible performances available.
]]>Consider creating a social story to tell your child all about Christmas trees. The different types (real or fake), decorating them, the lights and smell. Use your child’s communication aids, such as PECs and AAC devices, to tell them what you are about to do. Explaining beforehand, might help to reduce any anxiety that they might have and help them prepare for the change.
If they want to be involved in the process, let them be from start to finish and make it fun! They can help to pick a tree, decorate it, and turn the lights on. Similarly, if they would rather watch or not be involved, don’t put any pressure on them to join in.
You know your child best and how their sensory needs might be impacted by the lights on the tree. Consider whether colourful lights or white ones would be best and consider ones with a dimmer so that you can alter the brightness. Lights that flash might be overwhelming so you might want to avoid these completely and keep your lights simple. Remember, you create your own traditions and what works best for your family – perhaps your tree doesn’t need to have lights.
It might be too overwhelming for your child to do everything at once and easier for them to do things gradually. Decorate at a pace that suits them. It might take an hour, a day, or a week. Whatever works.
Some children might like the idea of a Christmas tree but find having one too overwhelming. This is when you might want to look in to making a felt or paper tree that you can stick on to the wall and decorate with felt or paper decorations.
It might be that your child can only manage to be around the Christmas tree for short periods. Consider where you put it. For example, it might be best not to put it in the living room if this is a room that they are in a lot.
It can be hard as a parent when you have an image in your head of what Christmas should look like and it turns out to be something completely different. The truth is, Christmas is never like it is in the movies. Yes, it can be wonderful, but it is also stressful and a lot of work. Try to remember this and focus on making your own traditions and forgetting about old ones. Christmas trees are lovely, but they don’t make Christmas. You do.
]]>The first thing you need to do is prepare your child as much as possible for their upcoming haircut. This can be done multiple ways – via a social story, a storyboard, using PECs and AAC devices. You can let them watch haircut videos on YouTube and read stories about haircuts, such as ‘Getting A Hair Cut (Spec Tales: Life Skills Stories for Kids with Autism and Special Needs Book 1)’, by Christine Ambrose and Brenda Insalaco, show every step in the process of a child getting their haircut, much like a social story. You might want to create a visual board for each part of the haircut that you can use from start to finish.
Finding a hairdresser who can work with your child and understand their sensory and behavioural needs is crucial. There are lots of autism-friendly hairdressers who offer sensory-friendly appointments, that are quieter and less busy. It might be that it is easier for you to get your child’s haircut at home, in which case it is a good idea to speak to local parent carers and find out which mobile local hairdressers are recommended. Let your child take their time to get to know and trust them. It might be that you have several visits without a haircut and need to build it up slowly. An autism-friendly hairdresser will work with your child to cut their hair, be it in a chair or even on the floor. They will let them see, hear and feel the tools that they will use to help them adjust and feel safe and secure. Visual, auditory and mental preparation is so important.
If it helps, let your child bring along their favourite toy, fidget toy or even their tablet/iPad. If it makes them feel more comfortable, then it will help to reduce their anxiety and make the appointment less overwhelming for them. If you are in your home, you might even want to put the TV on to help distract them.
If it helps, turn part of the process into a game. It could start from when you leave your house, counting the number of cars you see until you reach the hairdresser. When you are in the hairdresser, perhaps you could count along with each snip of their hair.
Some children with autism hate having their hair washed and brushed and as a result, their hair can become tangled and prone to matting. If this is your child, speak to their hairdresser to find a cut that will work best for them. For example, a very short haircut might work best.
This is perhaps the most important tip. Being patient and supportive throughout the process is so important. This is an extremely big deal to your child, and they need you to understand this and not add any additional pressure.
Having a haircut can be a huge achievement for some children with autism and this should be celebrated. Make sure that they are aware of how proud you are of them and celebrate in a way that suits them best – be it an award chart, a treat or simply a big high five.
]]>It doesn’t always take a trigger for your child to bolt or wander away. However, sometimes there are specific things that can be triggering for autistic children and may cause them to do so. For example, noise, seeing something that they like, sensory seeking or being scared. Being aware of these things can help you to avoid situations where you are at risk of losing them.
Secure your home. Think Fort Knox. Keep the doors always locked and remove the key from the door. Put a sign on your door to remind visitors to do this. Consider the use of a door alarm so that you are alerted when the door is open. Ensure that your garden is secure with high fencing and that the back gate is padlocked. Use window locks and alarms. You might want to consider a security camera, which can be useful in an emergency.
Make your local community aware of your child and that they are vulnerable so that if they see them without adult supervision, they are aware to contact you. Provide them with your contact details and make them aware of your child’s behaviours so that they are best equipped with the knowledge on how to approach them.
Trusting others to look after your child when they are at risk of wandering can be hard. Make sure that they are aware of the need to keep an eye on your child at all times and keep doors locked.
There are ID bracelets and necklaces that children with autism can wear that contain contact details in case of emergency. If your child would tolerate wearing one of these, you should consider it. Especially if you are going somewhere that is crowded.
You might also wish to consider a GPS tracking device, which may sound extreme but can make a world of difference if your child gets lost. There are various watches available and devices such as Apple AirTag, which can be attached to keyrings or bracelets.
If you are out and somewhere crowded, dress your child in bright clothing, which will help you spot them if they wander off.
Teaching your child road safety and how to swim can be a matter of life or death if you find yourself in the horrible situation of losing them.
Finally, create an emergency plan that is there and waiting ready for use should you need it. This should include an up-to-date photograph of your child, their name and a description of them. You should list places that they might go to and how people should approach them if they find them. It is important to put down your contact number and a few other people you can trust, should the responder not be able to reach you. Share this plan with friends, family and those who look after your child.
]]>Here are some reasons why tablets and iPads are helpful for children with Autism.
There are so many ways that children have access to learning online using applications. A tablet may be a great option for a child who learns well from computer-based educational resources, these can be used to help hand/eye coordination, speech, mathematics, colour matching and even pincer and fine motor skills – to name just a few things! Your child might find it easier using a device to independently learn in their own time and in their own comfort and apps can help break down learning into topics.
iPads and tablets have been life-changing for many autistic children and can aid with communications, especially for children who use AAC devices to communicate. There are various speech and language applications recommended by professionals that can help children to communicate. Applications can use symbols and photographs to aid speech if your child struggles with verbal communication. They can literally open your child’s world by providing them with a voice and helping them to feel less frustrated and more understood.
If you think that this might benefit your child and they don’t already have access to one of them, you should speak to their nursery/school or speech and language therapist to find out what would best suit your child’s needs.
Some autistic children struggle to use the television and remote controls but can operate YouTube like a pro. Having access to this, with supervision, can help them to choose what they would like to watch and when they want to watch it.
Devices can show you what your child likes and dislikes, which can be invaluable.
You can pick up a tablet or iPad and take it anywhere, which makes it an invaluable reliable tool for children with autism. Within seconds, your child can have access to applications that make their life easier whether they are out and about, at home or at school. This familiarity can be comforting and help them to adjust to being in different settings.
Whilst we feel that these devices are fantastic at helping autistic children, we always recommend adult supervision and monitoring to keep your child safe.
]]>Children, particularly autistic children, are vulnerable to online abuse and predators. It is therefore paramount that we teach our kids online safety to ensure that they are not at any risk when using online devices such as a tablet or computers. Teaching internet safety for an autistic child is dependent on the child’s level of understanding and ability to communicate. Here are some approaches that you can take…
Speak to your child about internet safety if you can communicate this to them. You can use a social story to explain things like not sharing personal information over the internet, online scams and bullying. Talk to your child about behaviour and what to expect from others online. Encourage them to speak to an adult if they find anything confusing or worrying and have regular conversations with them to reinforce this. The NSPCC has a great social story to explain cyberbullying to children with special educational needs and disabilities. They also have a social story explaining online friendships.
As well as adding parental control make sure you can monitor your child’s access to the Internet. It means making sure all devices that have access to the Internet are also monitored, such as mobile phones, tablets and laptops. Have main computers and devices with access to the internet in an area in the home, where you can see your children and are in high-traffic areas such as the kitchen and the living room.
Setting boundaries or creating rules can be helpful. For example:
On devices like the iPad, you can password-protect application downloads and in-app purchases to prevent your child from being able to buy games online. It can be easy for a child with autism to accidentally download games or in-app purchases and not understand that this costs money. Adding parental controls can prevent this. Parental controls can also be used to manage the content that your child can access online as well as putting a time limit on their online usage.
Check the location settings on your child’s device and ensure that these are off so that there is no risk of them sharing their location online.
Lots of online games have chat and messaging functions, such as Roblox. However, did you know that a lot of games enable you to turn these functions off? Turning them off can help to protect your child from online abuse or online predators.
Finally, check your child’s device regularly to look at the content, chat and messages they have had access to. This will ensure that you are aware of any potential trouble as soon as possible if your child does not tell you.
]]>The good news is, there are bikes for almost everyone. Whether your child can pedal or not, in this blog we will give you some tips on teaching an autistic child to ride a bike.
First things first – safety is paramount. Introduce your child to a bike helmet and explain why it is important that they wear one. You might also want to consider elbow, wrist and knee pads. You should let your child help choose their safety gear to ensure that they are comfortable wearing it. Your child also needs to understand road safety and the need to exercise caution when riding a bike. A social story can be a good way to explain bike safety to a child.
If your child is under the age of 4, balance bikes are a great way to teach your child how to balance before learning to ride a bike. These bikes have all the features of a bike minus the pedals, to enable children to focus purely on balance and moving forward using their legs. If your child is too old for a balance bike, you could try lowering the seat and removing the pedals from a regular bike.
Stabilisers can help your child feel secure sitting on a bike and pedalling if they have not mastered balancing on one. These can be bought in different sizes and can help your child feel more secure and confident on a bike.
Finding a suitable area with no obstructions is important. Somewhere with soft grass or tarmac is ideal in case of any falls.
It can be overwhelming learning to ride a bike to remember to take one step at a time and be patient. Have clear step-by-step instructions and use positive language. Start by learning to get on and off the bike, then how to hold the handlebars and use the brakes. Balancing and pedalling come next but first, they should learn how to sit and walk forward with the pedals off.
If you think your child will manage to ride a regular bike but is taking time to learn the skill of balancing, look at a balance trainer, which is a handlebar that attaches to the rear axle of a child’s bike that a parent can hold onto. This will help you to help them to keep the bike upright whilst they are learning to pedal.
If your child has difficulty with motor skills, understanding and balance, an adapted bike or trike might be your answer. These are typically more expensive than regular bikes, however, there are charity grants that you can access to help you purchase one, such as Whizz-Kidz and Newlife the Charity for Disabled Children.
Adapted bikes come in all shapes and sizes. There are trikes which your child can either pedal alone or with the help of an adult using a handlebar. There are tandem bikes, which you can ride with your child. There are even wheelchair-adapted bikes.
Remember that learning to ride a bike takes patience and time and is no mean feat. Encourage your child by using positive language and any aids that might help them to be successful.
]]>There are a number of behaviours that Autistic children display that can often mean that additional steps need to be taken to ensure they are safe.
When thinking about road safety, consider your child’s level of comprehension and what they will be able to understand. This will help you to determine the best way to communicate to them and others how to be safe.
It’s important to use clear and concise language, for example, ‘stop’, ‘look’ and ‘listen’ when crossing the road or ‘no running’. You can use visuals to reinforce this. Social stories can be used to demonstrate things like zebra crossings, pelican crossings and the importance of crossing the road carefully. You can also role-play these scenarios using toy cars.
If your child is easily distracted crossing the road, you could use distractions to keep them focussed, such as singing a song or pointing out things you can see. If your child has sensory differences, using a fidget toy or their favourite toy might help to keep them calm and distracted.
When your child is going to be outside, put them in brightly coloured clothing so that they are easier for drivers to see. At night time, consider a high vis/fluorescent jacket. If your child cannot learn how to cross a road by themselves and will not hold an adult’s hand, use a harness to keep them safe, particularly if your child is at risk of running off. You should also consider an emergency bracelet, necklace or something to keep on your person with your name and telephone number. The National Autistic Society has an ‘I am autistic’ card that might also be helpful.
There are books and videos available online that teach road safety to young children. These might be helpful.
Speak to your family, friends and teaching staff at your child’s school to make sure that everyone is aware of your child’s road safety needs. You cannot assume that everyone will understand the help that they require and so it’s important to discuss this with anyone who might be involved in their care.
]]>Sensory processing issues have a lot to do with this because colours, textures, smells and tastes can be extremely overwhelming for autistic children and can have a huge impact on how they feel. A lot of colourful foods, such as fruit and vegetables, can change in taste depending on the season and this can be problematic for children who like routine and predictability. In this blog, we will provide you with some suggestions of things that you can try to encourage your child to try colourful foods.
Trying new foods can overwhelm and cause anxiety for children with autism so it’s important that you do not put any pressure on them. Take things one food at a time. Let them explore a new food and gradually they might like to try touching it, smelling it or even licking it. Let them take the lead.
Try using visuals when introducing new foods. This could be using PECS or an AAC device. Using visuals can help your child to mentally prepare and may help to alleviate any anxiety. If your child struggles to communicate and does not use pictures or symbols, take note of the way that they communicate with their body. For example, they might push food away or become upset.
Think about the environment that your child eats in. Is it noisy? Do they prefer a quiet space? What does it smell like? What is the lighting like? All of these things can have an impact on your child and how secure they feel.
Consider asking for a referral to an Occupational Therapist who can provide you with aids to help your child eat. This might include specialist seating, angled or weight cutlery or a special bowl. Aids can make your child feel more confident eating.
Think about how you present new foods to your child. They might find it easier to be chopped up or might not feel comfortable touching it with their hands. Some children prefer a plate that is not overloaded with food. Lots of children with autism notice changes in the presentation of their food so when you find what works, it’s important to bear this in mind.
When keeping a food diary consider the following:
Taking note of these things can help you to identify patterns and behaviours and what works best for your child when introducing new foods.
It’s important to stay positive and praise your child when they try new things, even if they do not like them. Having the confidence to try to touch, smell or taste them is a huge achievement and you should always remember this. Always use positive language.
]]>The Association of UK Dieticians states that ‘there are no differences in nutritional requirements for autistic people and a balanced diet is important for good health and development’. Whilst this is true, many autistic children have food hypersensitivity due to sensory processing issues. This means that certain textures, smells or tastes can be extremely overwhelming and upsetting for them. It is important to remember this whilst offering your child food. Although you may feel frustrated and worried if your child’s diet is limited, you should be mindful that this is not something that your child is doing deliberately, and it can be extremely difficult for them.
Why does my child chew on clothes?
]]>So, what causes an autistic child to chew their clothes? There may be several reasons for this, come of the reasons include:
Lots of autistic children are sensory seekers and chewing clothes can be a sensory-seeking habit. It’s common to see children with autism with wet tops or sleeves because they have chewed them. Chewing can be a self-stimulatory behaviour known as ‘stimming’.
Some children chew their clothes when they are feeling anxious. Doing so helps them feel comforted and calms them down if they are worried or overstimulated.
We completely empathise that your child chewing their clothes can be a little frustrating in terms of making them soggy and providing you with extra washing. However, it is important to remember that clothes chewing is not a particularly dangerous habit nor is it something to worry about. Whilst it’s not necessary to stop your child from chewing their clothes if you want to try to encourage them not to, here are some ideas that you could try.
Chewelry is something that you might not have heard of but is for sure something that you should consider if your child is a chewer. There are lots of places online that sell it and it ranges from bracelets to necklaces. We would recommend looking at Chewigem’s range. The products are soft and safe to chew and are usually brightly coloured with different textures. Chewelry is a great way to provide safe oral sensory input and can prevent some children from chewing their clothes.
Specialist bodysuits and other autism-friendly clothing can be great at preventing chewing clothes.
Short-sleeved discreet body suits can limit the access a child has to put the clothing in their mouths. You may also find that by having tag-free, short-sleeved garments, you can prevent access to the bottom of the shirts and remove the option to chew.
Sometimes, dribble bibs work well at preventing your child from chewing the top of their t-shirt. Instead, they chew the bib, but you can replace this regularly when it gets soggy or dirty.
When tied in with other behaviour-changing activities, you can limit and influence what your child uses to stim; allowing them to do so in a safe way, working towards helping them stop completely in their own time.
Finally, try oral activities that might distract your child when they start to chew their clothes. You could sing a song, read a book together, blow bubbles or pull funny faces! You can do many things – can you think of any?
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Dancing along to your favourite songs is something that everyone can do and enjoy. It is great for movement and coordination and can lift moods. Music really is universal.
Playing with musical instruments can be so much fun, especially if you tap to the beat of a song that you like. If you don’t have any instruments, they can be easy to make. From saucepan drums to make-shift shakers using bottles filled with rice. This activity not only great for your child’s movement and coordination skills, but also their fine and gross motor skills.
Lots of children find bubbles a great sensory experience. They can practice blowing them, but if they are unable to do this you can do this for them or why not use a bubble machine? Popping and catching bubbles is a fun activity that can help to develop your child’s fine motor skills.
Play dough is a tactile, sensory experience that a lot of children love. Squeezing, pinching, pulling and moulding the dough can be great at strengthening hand muscles and improving fine motor skills. Your child can be really creative with play dough, if they choose to be, which can be great for their imagination.
Digging out the toy cars and making a road with some masking tape is another creative activity that can be good fun. Your child can use their imagination to create a journey for the car to go on and you can create a story as you go along.
This very basic game can be hugely fun. Using toys or chosen objects, hide them around the house and find them. If you want to be creative, you could create a treasure hunt and use symbols to help your child identify and find the treasure.
Balloons are always a winner and there are lots of different things you can do with them. From blowing them up and letting out the air, to balancing them on different body parts and playing ‘keepy uppy’ and trying to keep them in the air.
‘Simon says’ is a great game for aiding communication skills, from speech and understanding to listening.
Using some household objects, like old juice bottles and a ball, you can create your own indoor bowling alley, perhaps in the hall!
Rolling a ball to one another is a simple, yet fun game, particularly for younger children. It is great for hand-eye coordination and you can use small, medium or large balls.
Building with blocks is not only great for improving hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills, but it can help your child develop their imagination. For children some children, Lego is fantastic, but if your child struggles with their pincer grip or their fine motor skills then blocks like Mega Bloks are fantastic.
This activity is great for developing gross motor skills, balance and coordination. There are lots of household objects that you could use, for example chairs and cushions. You can ask your child to walk, hop, skip or jump, depending on their physical capabilities.
What indoor activities do you and your child like to do?
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This book will be relatable to a lot of children with autism who struggle at school due to sensory and behavioural issues. It tells the story of Abigail, who can find it hard to concentrate and often gets sent out of her class to cool down. One day Abigail screams in class but instead of telling her off or sending her out of the room, her teacher finds a way to include Abigail. This book is great at showing children that some people behave differently and this doesn’t mean that they are ‘bad’ for doing so.
This book highlights that autism is a spectrum and as such, not everyone with autism is the same. In fact, they can be quite different. It tells the story of Kya and Martha who have different experiences due to their autism and sensory needs.
This is a great book for children with autism to read on the journey of starting high school. It tells the story of Frankie and how being yourself is important, even if you are different, and how we should be kind and supportive of one another.
Another great book by Robbins, this story uses speech bubbles, colours and pictures to highlight non-verbal communication. It’s a great picture book for younger children with autism.
This book tells the story of Isaac who has aspergers. It helps children to understand that children with autism can find understanding emotions difficult and that various strategies can help them to concentrate and focus, like fidget toys.
This book is useful for helping to explain autism to your child and why they may feel different to other children. It is about Zane the zebra who is worried that his classmates might treat him differently because of his autism. He soon realises that his autism is a positive thing and so is being unique.
Different Like Me is a great book that highlights famous and inspirational figures who have autism. They all excel in different things but find it difficult to fit in, just like Quinn, who is 8-years-old and has asperger’s.
This book is a fantastic resource for children with autism, helping them to understand their feelings and behaviours and find tools to help cope with any challenges that they face. The book has checklists, facts, resources and stories from children with autism. There is also a helpful section for parents.
It can be difficult to know if your child is being bullied, especially if they struggle with communication. It’s important to know what to look out for so that if this is happening to your child, you can take the appropriate action to make it stop.
As well as the general signs of bullying above it is also important to look out for other signs that might indicate that your child is being bullied online.
Below is a list of things you can do if you suspect that your child is being bullied.
It is easy for us to give you a list of strategies but we know if this is happening to your child it is extremely upsetting and worrying. Your school should be absolutely behind you to combat this and will support you and your child and help to find the right strategies to put an end to the bullying.
]]>So we have come up with a list of ways how you can adapt your child's Easter egg hunt to their individual needs. Not only will this help create a calmer more inclusive setting, but you are also creating precious memories for years to come. Happy Easter to all!
The National Autistic Society aims to provide support, information and practical advice for autistic adults and children and change attitudes by improving public understanding of autism. Its website is filled with advice and guidance, from education, strategies, and interventions to benefits and money.
Ambitious about Autism has a parent toolkit called ‘right from the start’ for preschool and older children to help guide parents and carers throughout their child’s autism journey. The toolkit has practical tips and checklists along with signposts to other sources of support.
SCOPE provides practical support and advice from benefits and accessible equipment to mental health, travel and transport.
Contact has some of the best tips for completing a Disability Living Allowance (DLA) form, particularly if your child qualifies for mobility under the SMI (severely mentally impaired) rule, which often applies to children with autism.
Autistica is an autism research and campaigning charity, which works with autistic people to make a difference in shaping policy and funding research. They have lots of evidence-based tools, resources and information.
Open University has a free online course called ‘Understanding Autism’, which talks about how autism is experienced by different individuals and their families as well as intervention and lifespan development.
The National Development Team for Inclusion developed a report called ‘It’s not rocket science’, which was based on the experience of children and young people who have experienced Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) inpatient environments. There are sensory recommendations and lots of useful information available to download.
Having an autistic sibling can be challenging at times for some children. Sibs is a charity that supports siblings of disabled children. It has lots of helpful advice for parents and children with information to help you support your sibling child.
]]>Sensory clothing can help your child to feel confident, comfortable and secure in what they are wearing. Imagine if the clothes that you wore felt itchy, stiff and constantly unpleasant. You wouldn’t want to wear them. Sensory clothing can make a huge difference to your child if they have sensory issues and can help to reduce stress and anxiety and essentially improve their quality of life.
SpecialKids.Company has been a sensory and autism-aware supplier of sensory-friendly clothing for many years and now mainstream stores are beginning to acknowledge the need and benefit of this. We are proud to have helped families overcome the challenges that sensory issues can cause. It could be as simple as removing labels and speaking to your child about what they feel uncomfortable in, however, many children with special needs find it difficult to communicate. If they are unable to communicate this to you, either verbally or through communication aids, we would recommend trying the following items.
There is a wide variety of KayCey® popper vests; sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved, polo shirt styles and garments with feeding tube access, catering for all needs. They come in various colours and are great for children who have sensory difficulties with clothing. This is because they are made from AZO-free, super soft cotton/elastane fabric, which is gentle on the skin. They have flat-locked side seams to prevent digging into the skin under a brace and they have top-stitched seams to minimise curling of the leg, neck and armhole openings. Furthermore, they are tag-free.
Scratch Sleeve™ dungarees are button-back dungarees made from woven cotton, which makes them an ideal summer outfit or useful for night times as pyjamas. They are great for children with sensory processing disorder because they are loose-fitting and made of 100% cotton jersey fabric, which ensures that your child is cool and comfortable and that sensitive skin is not irritated. If your child has wandering hands, the button-back fastening keeps them securely in place and makes it difficult for them to access their nappy/diaper.
If your child is incontinent or wets the bed, they might find wearing a nappy at night uncomfortable. Enter Peejamas – kid-friendly, eco-friendly and wallet-friendly alternatives to disposable nappies. They are created from certified fabrics that are safe for contact with your child’s skin and provide a good level of absorbency of urine to keep them comfortable while still allowing the child to feel the wet sensation.
Kes-Vir offers a range of children's swimwear and period pants that are sensory-friendly and incredibly helpful. Both are perfect if your child is incontinent and does not like the feel of swim nappies. They feature adjustable leg and waist cuffs to avoid any leakage as well as easy access for children with limited movement. The period pants can be used as an alternative to swim nappies or during your child’s period. The material used is versatile, hyper-resistant, thin, breathable and soft and stretchy, which is a unique mix of muscular compression and comfort.
Some sensory seekers chew their clothing or dribble, which can make their tops uncomfortable. Waterproof / Water Resistant bibs can help to resolve this problem as they are soft and super absorbent. We offer a range of them on our website.
If your child benefits from deep pressure, then a compression vest might be beneficial for them. It can help children who fidget a lot, are impulsive, struggles to concentrate and has poor body awareness.
Lots of children find the seams in socks uncomfortable and irritating. Lots of stores now offer seamless socks for children who find these difficult to wear. Be aware of the difference between Seamless and Seam-Free though as seamless is woven in one piece with no joins at all whereas Seam-Free has a seam that has been adapted to make sure it lies flat.
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For some children with autism, it can be difficult to understand personal space and boundaries, which relates to them and the people around them. It’s important to try and teach your child about personal space and physical boundaries because it will help them to socialise with others and feel comfortable in their own bodies. Likewise, it will help others to socialise and feel comfortable around them.
Using a social story can be so helpful in teaching boundaries and personal space to a child with autism. There are lots available on the internet but you can also create your own, catering it to your child’s needs. Social stories help autistic children to break down information, process, and understand it. You can explain what personal space is and what good and bad personal space looks like. You can then explain to your child why people have boundaries and what social cues to look for.
Visual cues, such as PECS or objects, can be a great tool for explaining boundaries to children with autism. Some recommend using a big ball or a hula hoop to explain the need for space between one person and another. You can also use PECS to let your child know when they are pushing boundaries or invading a person’s personal space.
Try to teach your child the social cues for body language, for example, another child might push them away if they are too close to them. Another person might look upset or back away from them.
You can do this by telling them a story or modelling this behaviour yourself. You could even video it and different examples and reactions to help them to understand. Show them what it is like to be ‘too close’ to help them understand and explain what language people might use if they are in their personal space, for example ‘you are too close to me’ or ‘move away’.
This is not only a good place for your child to retreat to when they are feeling overwhelmed or in need of some quiet time, but it can also help them to understand personal boundaries by demonstrating to them some places in the house are just for them as are other spaces for other family members, like bedrooms.
There are lots of activities that you can carry out to teach your child personal space and boundaries. One is by using carpet squares. These can be used at home or at school and provide children with a personal space to sit. They can also be used to line up for activities.
As previously mentioned, beach balls or hula hoops are a great way to demonstrate personal space and can be lots of fun too.
Learning personal space and recognising boundaries takes time and may not come naturally to your child. It’s important to praise them when they start to acknowledge these boundaries to reinforce the behaviour and let them know that you are proud of what they are doing.
]]>In this blog, we will give you the 5 best training tools for autistic kids.
Visual aids are great for children with autism. They help to explain routines and break down tasks, making it easier for them to understand.
Your child can use PECS to let you know when they need the toilet, for example, exchanging a toilet symbol when they need to go.
You can also use sequence or now and next boards, to help your child to become familiar with a toilet routine. There are great visuals available online on sites such as Twinkl.
Last but not least, social stories can also help to make the process easier for you both.
Use washable reusable training underpants or underpants with a protective liner. These help your child become aware of the feeling of wetness, so they’re useful if your child has trouble knowing when it’s time to use the toilet.
Peejamas are kid-friendly, eco-friendly, and wallet-friendly alternatives to disposable daytime and night-time nappies. They are created from certified fabrics that are 100% safe for contact with your child’s skin and provide maximum absorbency of urine. This product is a game-changer for parents in the midst of toilet training and can save you money and time, whilst keeping your child comfortable.
For more information, visit our website here, where you can see a selection of Peejamas and purchase them.
Kylie bed sheets are washable bed pads that you can place on top of your child’s sheets but under the duvet. They are highly absorbent and designed to keep urine away from your child’s skin and prevent ruining your child’s mattress when they have an accident. They help to disrupt your child from sleeping and cut down on bedding changes.
SpecialKids Company is a proud supplier of Kylie Sheets, which can be found on our website here.
If your child decides to use a toilet and not a potty, there are lots of great toilet seats that you can buy to help them feel comfortable using the toilet. A great example is Boby’s Potty Training Toilet Seat Trainer, available online at websites such as Amazon. The seat sits on top of your toilet and has steps and double handrails, making it easier for your child to use the toilet more independently.
If your child responds well to visuals and charts, a potty training chart might be a useful aid for you to use. You can choose to reward your child, if this helps to encourage them, however, they might be encouraged simply by seeing a star on their chart and receiving lots of recognition and praise, which is always important. You can create your own or buy one and can break it down into mornings, afternoons, and nights or entire days and weeks.
]]>But for many families, it can be super stressful. If your child is autistic, the change in routine and the hustle and bustle of Christmas can cause anxiety and be really challenging. In this blog, we want to give you 5 steps to host your very own autism-friendly Christmas.
However you choose to celebrate Christmas, we hope that you have a great day and have fun making your own traditions and memories.
]]>If you are a parent to an autistic child, you might have heard people talk about ABA therapy for autism, but do you know what it is? In this blog, we aim to let you know what ABA therapy is so that you can decide whether you feel it may be effective in helping your child.
ABA stands for Applied Behaviour Analysis. Analysing behaviour is thought to help behaviour analysts understand why children are behaving in a negative way. The causes and consequences of unwanted behaviour can then be examined and interventions are applied to try and change the behaviour and develop social, communication and learning skills through reinforced behaviour.
There have been a lot of mixed opinions on whether ABA therapy is effective or harmful for children with autism. Supporters say that it has helped their children to learn behaviours and skills, which have been beneficial to them. However, those against it have voiced that this type of therapy forces autistic children to try and conform to so-called ‘normal’ behaviours. Therapists state that ABA therapy has evolved in recent years and that now there is more of a focus on changing behaviours and not on feelings or thoughts that the individual has.
A good ABA Therapist will spend time with your child and interact with them so that they can observe their behaviour, communication and skills. This can be carried out at home, in school or in both settings. The Therapist will look at what interventions meet your child’s individual needs and how you can integrate these at home.
ABA Therapy can be used for a variety of purposes, such as rewarding children for achieving a task like brushing their teeth to sleeping well at night. Goals usually relate to reducing unwanted or harmful behaviours and improving skills and communication. Parents who support ABA therapy feel that it provides them with the strategies that they need to teach their children and can help their children to learn. The strategies can be shared with everyone who works with your child.
The ABA Therapist should frequently review your child’s progress and adapt the therapy accordingly until the end goal is achieved.
There are several types of ABA therapy. These are:
An ABA Therapist will determine which type of ABA therapy to use based on your child’s age, behaviours and other skills such as communication.
Only you can decide whether ABA therapy is a beneficial therapy to try with your child. Lots of parents have found that it has helped to improve their child’s behaviour, reducing harmful behaviours and improving communication. However, it may not be right for everyone.
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The above are the basic functional skills that may be impacted, but other skills such as time management and organisational skills may also be affected.
All of these functional skills have a great impact on a person’s day-to-day life and the level of support that they require at home and in school.
There are strategies that can be used to help your child with their functional skills, such as identifying goals and breaking down tasks into small steps. Ideally, you should work with your child’s school so that you are both using the same techniques to help them.
If you have any concerns, please ensure that you speak to your child’s GP or paediatrician.
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