Autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, affects one in sixty-eight children in the U.S. While there is no cure for autism, many programs can benefit your child with autism and allow them to lead a healthy and happy life. For parents, an autism parent training program can teach them home safety tips that will help keep their children safe while creating an environment that is beneficial to their development.
At Camp Worth, we teach autism safety to parents of teen boys and girls aged eleven to seventeen. Parents participate in our autism parent training program to learn home safety tips that they will use to keep their children safe at home while giving them space to be themselves. For more tips to improve the home life of your teen living with autism, fill out our online contact form or call 855.915.2545 today to speak with our friendly staff about home safety for children with autism.
The Importance of At-Home Safety
Children by nature are curious and will get into anything they can while exploring their surroundings, and children with autism are no exception. Some children can become hyper-focused on something and not pay attention to potential dangers around them. They lack the reasoning skills necessary to stop and think before reaching for an object or trying something they think is candy.
Common household items that are a potential hazard for a child with autism include:
- Stovetops
- Electrical outlets
- Bleach and other cleaning products
- Medications and ointments
- Cat litter
- Unlocked doors and windows
We can help parents create a safe and positive home environment for their teens living with autism at Camp Worth. We use discussion-based techniques and interactive models to teach parents autism safety and other skills they need to help their child thrive.
Home Safety Tips You Can Apply to Your Home
Your home can be a safe and productive environment with just a few simple at-home safety tips for keeping your child safe. These steps can also help develop and improve their interactions in many everyday situations.
Some home safety tips include:
- Use brightly colored labels with simple commands like good, bad, or stop – These can help keep your child from getting into medicine cabinets, rooms, and other places they are not supposed to be.
- Set boundaries and limits – Colored tape is a great tool to help your child understand where they can and cannot go. You can place a strip of red tape in front of a door and teach them not to cross the red tape.
- Keep things organized – Children with autism thrive in an organized environment. If your home is messy or disorganized, it can frustrate them and lead to negative behavior.
- Install alarms on all doors and windows – Make sure all doors and windows have modern locks that your child cannot easily open. There are security systems that can alert your smartphone or tablet to an open door or window at all times.
- Hide cleaning products and medications – Store these products out of reach or in locked cabinets. Use your labels as well to mark certain cabinets as off-limits.
- Create social stories. Social stories are excellent learning tools for children with autism. They make learning fun and memorable and can teach your child about boundaries and understanding what specific colored labels mean. Having them create the labels with you is a fantastic learning and bonding experience.
Rely on Camp Worth for Home Safety Tips
At Camp Worth, we support teen boys’ and girls’ development while working with their families in creating a safe and healthy home environment. Our autism parent training program teaches parents several skills, from managing behaviors and day-to-day activities to improving communication and play skills.
To learn more about home safety for autistic children that will benefit your child’s development, call 855.915.2545 Camp Worth today or reach out to us online.
