Safety is most people’s number one priority. Children being children, they still need quite a lot of supervision when they are younger. Ensuring the safety of children with autism requires extra special attention due to their unique needs and challenges. Autism often affects communication, social interaction, and sensory processing, which can increase the risk of accidents or unsafe situations. 

Here are ten important safety considerations to help protect children with autism Mississauga.

1. Supervising Around Water

It’s never too early to teach your child how to swim, or at least how to be safe around water. Swimming is one of the only sports that can save your life. Drowning is one of the top causes of accidental deaths for children with autism, so close supervision around water is crucial. Kids with ASD are 160 times more likely to experience nonfatal and fatal drowning than their neurotypical peers. Incidences of drowning occur not only in pools and lakes but also bathtubs, hot tubs, and even plastic storage containers, like large buckets. It’s important to be mindful. Consider installing a pool fence with a lock. Educate your children about the danger of water. Teach swimming skills early on to reduce the risk of drowning.

2. Childproofing Dangerous Areas

Little fingers get into just about everything—from snapping drawers to swinging doors to electrical outlets. When securing your home for a child with autism, think curious toddler. And work backwards from there. Go through your home, room by room, and childproof any areas that could pose a danger. Stock up on cabinet locks, be sure to cover unused electrical outlets, and keep sharp objects or hazardous substances out of reach (and away from the toaster). If you have heavy furniture or bookshelves, anchor them to the wall to prevent them from tipping over. 

3. Securing The Home Environment

When you are being vigilant about safety, think beyond just the inside of your home. Consider your yard, street, sidewalk, the side of your house, and even your neighbours’ properties. Children with autism have a tendency to wander off and they could very easily start to explore areas that could be dangerous. Some household safety tips might include: giving your neighbours a heads up that your child might find their way onto their side of the fence once in a while, installing locks on all your doors, gates, and windows to prevent accidental exits, and emphasizing street safety with your child. Technology can help. You can purchase electronic alarms and alerts that notify you on your phone when a door or window is opened unexpectedly. Educate your child on the pets and animals in the neighbourhood and how to handle them if they get too close. 

4. Using Identification And Tracking Tools

Spiderman has spidey-tracers that he can put on a person to follow them with satellite tracking. Now you can do the same. Children with autism are a perfect fit for this technology. Neurodivergent children are often nonverbal or have limited communication skills. Even if they get lost they may not be able to ask for help. This is where ID bracelets, tags, and GPS tracking devices can really help to locate your child quickly if they wander off. Be sure that any ID they have on them is visible (like a bracelet) and that it includes contact information and their emergency medical details.

5. Teaching Safety Skills

You want your child to be street smart. At Monarch House, we can help with this through our interdisciplinary team. We can teach children with autism basic social and safety skills, such as recognizing traffic signs, avoiding strangers, and understanding what to do in an emergency. Our occupational therapists make use of positive reinforcement, visual aids, social stories, and repetitive practices to help these concepts hit home. 

6. Being Aware of Sensory Triggers

Too much light, noise, or discomfort can make the best of us lose our grip. Children with autism are no exception. Sensory overload can lead to unsafe behaviours, such as running away or lashing out. We can help you identify your child’s sensory triggers and work with you to take steps towards minimizing exposure to them. This can prevent sudden, unsafe situations. This might include using noise-canceling headphones in noisy environments, fuzzy blankets, dimming bright lights, or avoiding crowded places.

7. Developing An Emergency Plan

Do you have a rope ladder for your balcony? Do you know where the nearest fire extinguishers are? Make sure your child does. Do not delay when it comes to creating and practicing an emergency plan with your child. Have it written down and posted on the inside of a cupboard in the kitchen. Your plan could include steps for fire safety, natural disasters like earthquakes, or other emergencies. Be sure to use pictographs, visual schedules or social stories to explain the plan, and practice it regularly so your child knows the drill when an emergency occurs.

8. Teaching Animal Safety Skills

Does your child gravitate to the fuzzy fur of living things? If your child with autism enjoys animals it’s essential to teach them pet safety skills, even if they are not an owner yet. Start with basics like knowing how to read facial signs and body language, understanding tail movement and growls, and knowing how to move near an animal so as not to cause panic. 

9. Monitoring Social Interactions

Children with autism may not always recognize social cues or understand the intentions of others. At Monarch House we can offer supervision during social interactions in our setting, and teach them skills to deal with unfamiliar people, as well as educate them (and you) on some pointers to protect them from potential bullying, exploitation, or harm.

10. Using Technology Wisely

The internet can be a blessing and a curse. On one hand, technology can be a great tool for education and entertainment, on the other, it comes with risks, like exposing your child to potential predators and online harassment. Don’t be shy about monitoring your child’s online activities to protect them from inappropriate content or contact with strangers. Use parental controls and teach them about online safety, including the importance of not sharing personal information.

It’s amazing at the danger that children can find from seemingly innocuous circumstances. They require a watchful eye. And while safety is a top priority for any parent, it requires special consideration for children with autism. By taking proactive measures—such as securing the home, teaching safety skills, and closely monitoring your child’s environment—you can help prevent accidents and ensure a safer, more secure life for your child. Tailoring safety strategies to your child’s unique needs will empower them to navigate the world more safely and confidently.

If this sounds very familiar, but you’re not quite sure whether your child is autistic or not, consider seeking an autism assessment in Missisauga at a Monarch House.