Guest post by Emily Ansell Elfer, BA (Hons), Dip.
Many children on the autism spectrum struggle with social boundaries, speech and communication, and are prone to wandering. This can be very concerning, with the potential dangers of the internet, busy roads, predators, and much more.
Teaching safety skills to kids with autism is highly recommended, but it can be a challenge. Here are some of the key areas to cover, along with suggestions to address them.
Danger zones for young people with autism
Personal boundaries
It’s critical that children on the spectrum are able to recognize when an interaction is inappropriate and that they feel able to inform their guardians. This includes being touched without consent, sent inappropriate images, or being asked to do anything that might feel sexually motivated. Additionally, it’s vital that they recognize what’s appropriate so they themselves do not unintentionally become an abuser.
Water safety
Safety around water is a key area of worry, as some kids with autism have a tendency to wander. Using electronic devices such as locators and water sensors can help a caregiver keep on top of a child’s location, which can allow for quick action when things go wrong.
Wandering
As mentioned above, some children with autism are prone to wandering or escaping from home, supervision when in public, or even from their classroom at school. To address this, it’s helpful to create a Family Wandering Emergency Safety Plan.
Road safety
As well as wandering, some children with autism are easily alarmed or distracted. Coupled with difficulties they might have communicating with their external environment, this puts them at risk of road accidents. Having a Road Safety Checklist is one way to keep them safe.
Fire safety
To prepare a child with autism for a fire emergency, it is recommended that autism caregivers:
- Develop a plan of escape from the home and share it with the child — social stories are helpful.
- Have the local fire department’s phone number on the refrigerator, in the child’s communication device, and in your phone contacts.
- Visit the fire station, alone first and then with the child. Take pictures of the firemen in their protective gear. Take pictures of the station, the fire equipment, and the emergency vehicles. This will all help familiarize the child with what firefighters do and how they look.
Online safety
Skills such as how to avoid revealing confidential information and how to avoid becoming a victim of cyberbullying are essential in teaching children about online safety. It’s also important to implement internet browsing restrictions on any digital devices.
READ RELATED: “Profound” Autism: The New Term for Those Who Require Significant Support
Cell phones
Depending on the ages of those involved, sending inappropriate images may be considered a criminal offense regardless of whether or not a child has autism. It’s critical to teach children what’s appropriate for sharing from the time they are able to use a cell phone.
Working with law enforcement and first responders
To help with all of the above, as well as other areas of concern, safety expert Lt. Joseph Pangaro advises autism caregivers to work in conjunction with local law enforcement.
Many confrontations that children with autism have with police officers are due to misinterpretation of the child’s actions. To raise awareness of behaviors related to autism, caregivers need to interact with police officers and have their child meet law enforcement for the first time in a non-confrontational setting. For example, law enforcement could be invited to a school where they can meet kids with autism, see their behaviors, and familiarize the children with their uniforms.
Training programs within police agencies are also key to establishing better understanding. These can be provided by local groups with connections to the special needs community, parents, or safety professionals.
“Currently, there are training programs for police officers on autism and, while it is not as widespread as it should be, these programs are increasing year on year,” says Lt. Pangaro. “Most police leaders want to serve their community as best as they can—knowing what the community needs goes a long way when making training choices.”
Sharing information about a child’s challenges with the fire department is also very beneficial. If firefighters have more knowledge about autism, they can adjust their approach accordingly when they arrive on the scene.
Some things parents can educate first responders on include:
- Ensure your manner is calm (use a soft voice and short phrases) and remember a person may not respond right away to questions.
- The individual with autism may cover their ears. This may mean they are overwhelmed.
- Avoid idioms, jokes, and sarcasm. These are not always understood.
- The person with autism may have a communication device. Maybe the device has been programmed to ask for help, provide their address or phone number, or say their name.
- Some individuals use pictures to communicate. Some can write what they want, sign, or use a device. Seek alternative communication styles if needed.
- Keep the environment around the person as calm as possible to avoid meltdowns. (loud voices and bright lights can overstimulate)
- Keep dogs and service animals away as they could alarm the individual.
- Only touch the individual with permission. (unless restraint is absolutely necessary for everyone’s safety)
- Plan ahead.
It’s vital to plan ahead so fewer safety issues present themselves in the future. For example, many children with autism want to drive, date, and live independently as they get older — so caregivers need to think early about how and if this can be safely achieved. Planning ahead of time can help everyone make easier decisions around difficult topics.
Did you enjoy this article? Learn more from Autism Parenting Magazine, the leading international publication for autism families.
Source: The Autism Site Blog
