4 Affordable Ways to Make Your Home More Comfortable for a Child With Autism

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​If your child has been diagnosed with autism, you may be wondering if you need to make some changes around your house. According to Very Well Health, children with autism often experience sensory overload. Therefore, living in an environment with typical household decor and design choices can actually be quite distressing for them. However, you may be worried that redesigning certain rooms will be too expensive for your budget.

Rest assured that making simple changes to your household to help your child with autism can be within your budget. Here are a few budget-friendly interior design tips for parents of children with autism.


Soft Color Scheme

It might be time to spend an afternoon repainting your child’s room. Being in a room with walls painted in bright, bold shades can be overwhelming for a child with autism, and a few cans of paint won’t cost you much. According to How to Adult, your child will likely respond more positively to softer colors and pastel hues. Consider painting their bedroom walls with pastel blues, greens, and purples, which can be quite relaxing to look at. You can find affordable paints and painting supplies at Lowes and save quite a bit more money by checking out their Deal of the Day regularly and signing up for cashback offers by joining a deal site like Rakuten.

For the rest of your home, try going with a neutral color scheme. You may also decide to change up any tile floors or walls if you find that the colors or patterns will cause too much visual stimulation. Whether you need to simplify the look of your kitchen’s backsplash or redo the tile floors in the bathroom, contact Davie Mac Tile for professional installation.


Reduce Noise

Children with autism are especially sensitive to loud noises. Even if you happen to live in a busy, urban neighborhood, you can take steps to reduce noise levels in your home. Thick, heavy curtains, rugs over hardwood floors, and tapestries on the walls can work wonders. Before you purchase these items, be aware that children with autism can have strong preferences for certain textures over others, so keep this in mind as you outfit your home.


Natural Lighting

Exposure to bright or flickering lights can upset children with autism. Sudden shifts in lighting can have a similar effect. You can adjust the lighting in your household with minimal costs and effort, and it can make a significant impact on your child’s well-being.

According to Theraspecs, many people with autism react negatively to fluorescent lighting. Try to create space in your home where natural light can illuminate the rooms wherever possible. Incandescent light bulbs are also highly preferable to fluorescent lighting, and they are quite affordable.

Another possibility? Choosing light fixtures that will be compatible with a dimmer switch. Using a dimmer switch will allow you or your child to precisely adjust the lighting in the room if necessary. In addition, avoid choosing furniture or decor with shiny surfaces, which can reflect bright light.


Organization

Keeping your home tidy and organized will help ensure your child’s safety. Don’t feel like you need to set up a fancy, expensive organizing system. Secure containers and sturdy shelves will get the job done, and you can find these for low prices at many retailers. Take extra precautions in the kitchen, where your child could get ahold of sharp objects.

Your child may be highly attached to certain toys that they reach for when they are distressed or nervous. Have a specific place where you can store these toys, such as clear bins with picture labels. It’s also important to keep the play area separate from other rooms in the house for your child’s safety and well-being. Try to designate different zones in the play area for each activity.

Chances are, you do not have to move into an entirely new house or spend thousands of dollars on renovations in order to make your house a safe oasis for your child with autism. By making smart choices about color schemes, lighting, and more, you can redesign your space to suit your child’s needs.


Colaboration by 
Lin Buckner
Sensorykid.info