Keeping our home safe for our autistic kids

We are hoping that we can do some work to our home soon. We really need to do something about the leaky bathroom and with the boys sleeping so badly need them to have their own rooms. In thinking about how we would adapt our house, I was reminded about all the things we thought about after the boys got their initial diagnoses.  Every thing was seen as a trip hazard when I realised Anthony was falling over so often do to sensory needs and processing difficulties.  And that was just the start... David was totally unaware of danger.  So what did I look at.. and am still keeping in mind now?

How we've used our home during lockdown with our autistic kids

The environment in which we bring up our kids makes a massive difference to how they function on a day to day basis, even more so while they have been stuck at home during lockdown. Parts of the house have taken on new purposes so help them through this period.  It can be difficult to make changes around a home for kids with autism but we've had some things that we wouldn't have liked to go without.

Dealing with the stress of being stuck at home

The latest government advice recommends a minimum of three weeks of social distancing and self-isolation to tackle the Coronavirus COVID-19 spread. Many families have had to change how they operate - and in a home like ours where routine is king, it can make us stressed and anxious. 

How will we cope with an Elf on the Shelf

December came and so did a new comment from our youngest, Jane. “Sarah and Julian both have a magical Elf on the Shelf that talks to Father Christmas.” After a few days of  ‘Elf on the Shelf this..’ and ‘Elf on the Shelf that..’ it became apparent that what Jane was really after was an Elf of her own. She even made a video to Santa on my phone that I found late on Monday night. But Elf on the Shelf is a bit difficult in our house.

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Keeping our autistic kids cool and safe on warm nights

The heat is on.. and so are the warm nights.  Small chat about the weather this week has consisted of the various ways people have been staying cool whilst trying to sleep.  Windows have been opened and fans have been on in an effort to shift some of the slightly cooler air through the homes in our part of London. But not in our house - it's just not safe with our kids.  So what can we do to help us survive the warm nights?

How to prepare kids with autism to move home

We've just had new neighbours move in next door.  They are a young family and it's fair to say the move in took a long time.  We moved here just before Jane's first birthday.  In fact we were lucky to have sun on her birthday so we could have her party in the garden as the house was still in turmoil. Looking back the boys did really well with it all.   All kids can find change difficult, but with two autistic kids, what did we do to help them with this massive alteration to life as they knew it?

Home ideas for an autistic household in 2018

Everyone knows the home is where the heart is.  We all want to enjoy our home but sometimes with kids it can seem like making our home safe, or nice or suitable for the family is challenging.  Our kids don't understand many boundaries so the place can end up a mess or be unsafe.  Here's some easier ideas to help make a house a safe home for a neurotypical and autistic family..