Planning is key to day out with autistic children
BREAK FROM ROUTINE CAN LEAVE SOME KIDS ANXIOUS
THE second day of our campaign to highlight autism and the challenges it brings focuses on day trips and family fun days.
This is national Autism Awareness Week, and we have joined forces with the region’s leading autism charity – North East Autism Society – to “celebrate autism in the North East”.
For day two of our #weCAN campaign we’re looking at what’s on offer in our region, as well as hearing from the Rose family on how they navigate the tricky world of days out when autism is a part of everyday life.
The Roses, a family of five from Consett, are giving us no holds barred access this week in order to raise awareness of autism and neurodiversity.
Mum Michelle, 39, whose eldest son Quinn is autistic, said: “I’m not going to lie – it can be difficult at times. Quinn often doesn’t want to leave the house.
“It’s not impossible – and it’s important to us that we do have family time outside the home – but when other families can perhaps be a bit more spontaneous, we need to plan.”
For many with autism, routine can be very important. Kerrie Highcock, family development manager at the North East Autism Society, said: “Experiencing new things, whether that’s sights or sounds and smells, can be quite distressing if you have sensory or processing differences, so many people with autism will favour a strict routine.
“For that reason, going to new places can be tricky. There are things you can do to help.”
One such thing is advanced planning. Dad Kieran, who is both autistic and an active autism advocate, said: “A day out on a Saturday begins at the start of the week for us.
“We talk about it, describe it, answer any questions about it and, hopefully, by the time we are due to go we’re OK.
“It often comes with a bit of bartering as well – come to the park with us, but we will be back in time for what you normally watch on telly and you can relax the next day.”
As part of their work with families across the North East, the Autism Society runs parent workshops and autism awareness sessions.
“Some of the things we suggest are so simple, said Kerrie, “but it really can make a difference. And what makes an even bigger difference is the wider public understanding that a child being anxious and upset isn’t necessarily a tantrum – it could be a real feeling of pain and confusion causing the upset, all because a bus has maybe gone a different route, or the thing they wanted in the shop wasn’t where it was the last time.”
Here are the North East Autism Society’s tips for days out and travelling:
Visit first: Find out where quiet spaces are, how loud the coffee shop will be, when the venue is busiest and familiarise yourself with the area.
Minimise differences: Going to a new place via a new mode of transport may be too much. Travel in a familiar car, with favourite clothes and toys.
Visual aids: Show pictures as part of your planning. Let the person know where you are going and what they might see when they get there.
Take the pressure off: If it doesn’t go according to plan, that’s OK! See every little step as a step in the right direction and celebrate new achievements and milestones.