Creating Connections

As parents of autistic children, advocating for the inclusivity can often feel like an uphill battle.  The desire for our children to be understood, accepted and integrated into society can be both challenging and rewarding.

A few fun ways to this would be the following:

For our pre-verbal buddies, explore and advocate for personalised communication strategies like PECS, sign language or AAC devices.  Visual schedules can help pre-verbal children understand and anticipate daily routines, reducing anxiety and behavioural issues.

Advocate for sensory-friendly zones in public spaces such as schools, libraries and parks.  These areas should be designed with calming colours, soft lighting and minimal noise to provide a safe haven for children when sensory overload strikes.

Encourage schools and community centres to have sensory kits available.  These kits can include noise-canceling headphones, fidget toys, weighted blankets and other items that help children self-regulate.

Creating Connections

Work closely with educators to develop individualized Education Plans (IEPs) that address your child’s unique sensory and behavioural needs.  Ensure these plans include sensory breaks, alternative assessment methods and 1:1 support when necessary.

Push for comprehensive training for teachers and staff on autism and sensory processing disorders.  Understanding these conditions can lead to more empathy and effective strategies in the classroom, creating a more inclusive environment for your child.

Set out workshops where parents of non-verbal autistic children share strategies and experiences.  These gatherings can foster a sense of community, provide practical advice and creating a unified voice when advocating for change in local policies or schools.

Initiate buddy programs that pair neurotypical children with autistic peers.  These programs can foster friendships, teach empathy and help neurotypical children understand the unique ways their autistic friends communicate and interact with the world.

Every child has a unique story and sharing these stories can be a powerful tool for advocacy.  If your child is old enough, encourage them to create their own storybook, complete with illustrations and descriptions of their daily life, interests and challenges.  These personalized stories can be shared with classmates, teachers, family members and the wider community to foster understanding and empathy.

Creating Connections

Arrange digital storytelling workshops where autistic children can create short films or animations about their experiences.  This modern twist on storytelling not only empowers children to express themselves creatively but also provides a platform to educate others in a highly engaging way.  As parents we can also do this via social media, telling your child’s story.

Another modern way to educate is through the use of learning apps that can be tailored to the specific needs of autistic children.  These apps can include customizable social stories, interactive games that teach social skills and virtual reality experiences that simulate real-world scenarios to practice interactions.

Initiate or join coding clubs where autistic children can learn programming skills alongside their neurotypical peers.  Coding can be an excellent medium for autistic children to express their logical thinking and creativity.  Plus working on projects together promotes teamwork and inclusion.

Promote the creation of sensory gardens in your community.  These gardens are designed to provide a calming environment with a variety of textures, colours and scents that can be therapeutic for autistic children.  They serve as a safe space for children to relax and engage with nature.

Local authorities

Work with local authorities to develop playgrounds that cater to children with different sensory needs.  These playgrounds can include features like quiet zones, sensory paths and equipment designed to be accessible for all children.

Plan art and music festivals that celebrate the talents of autistic children.  These events can showcase their artwork, performances and creative projects.  By highlighting their talents, these festivals can change perceptions and foster a greater sense of community inclusion.

Start an inclusive book club that pairs autistic and neurotypical children to read and discuss books together.  Choose stories that promote empathy, diversity and understanding.  This not only improves reading skills but also builds friendships and bridges gaps between children.

Work towards a certification program for businesses and public spaces that meet specific sensory-friendly criteria.  Just like businesses strive for green certifications, a sensory-friendly certification can signal a commitment to inclusivity and attract families seeking accommodating environments.

Creating Connections

These are just some ideas that you can implement, however a lot of us do not have time or the inclination to start big projects.  Do a bit of research and you will find possible projects that you can be a part of.

You are a parent of an autistic child, which means you are already a walking example and a source of knowledge about autism, which can easily be conveyed in all settings. It does not have to look like a big project, it can just be taking the opportunity to speak to another person while standing in a supermarket queue.

Till next week.

A

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Sometimes we don’t know what to say to educate other people or even our family, yet you want your child to be treated with respect and kindly. I am here to help you find a way to convey that exactly. Click HERE for a free consult.

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