Tips for Creating a Functional and Organized Home for Families with Autism

Children diagnosed with autism thrive in a highly structured environment. Creating a functional and organized environment which incorporates predictable routines can reduce environmental “surprises.” Visual cues can be used in the home environment to facilitate independence and eliminate those “surprises” which often overwhelm the child. For example, labels (word + picture) can be placed around the home to indicate the location of personal and household items such as clothing, utensils, and personal hygiene products. Labeling areas of the home that are consistently part of the child’s routine (bathroom, bedroom, and kitchen) will help the child with organization, movement and understanding of physical space, memory, and problem solving. In addition, providing a consistent daily schedule with picture cues will teach independence in the home setting. By facilitating these skills, the child’s development will be positively impacted. As a result, the child will be able to manage predictable routines in the home setting without frustration.

Meet the dream room expert

Talitha Mueller, M.Ed., J.D., has 20 years of experience in the field of special education. She has worked with students, ranging from three to 21 years of age, in both private and public school settings. For the past five years, she has worked as an ABA therapist and special education consultant assisting families of children diagnosed with autism. She is passionate about helping special education students achieve their fullest potential in both school and the community.

Children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders have difficulty with sensory integration. In other words, receiving and processing information perceived by the senses can be challenging and may impact the child’s ability to adapt to situations involving sensory input. A child with an autism diagnosis may be hypersensitive or hyposensitive to sounds, textures, tastes, and movement patterns. Therefore, it is important to control sensory input and avoid overwhelming the child. Soft lighting and colors, as well as reduced clutter, can minimize the level of sensory input. In addition, design elements that can be used to alert or calm the child’s senses can be added to make a room child-friendly. Bean bag chairs, large soft pillows, therapy balls, fiber optics, and a sound system for music can help the child learn to self-regulate.