Every child deserves to experience the joy of playing in the backyard. Of course, this is a much more attainable goal for some children than for others. When you have an autistic child, things get somewhat complicated but not impossible. Designing a play space for your autistic child may take some time and patience, but it’s definitely worth it. We’ve got you covered if you’ve recently moved into a new home and want to transform your outdoor area into a sensory haven. In the rest of this article, we’ll cover our best tips for making your new backyard autism-friendly for your child.
Understand Your Child’s Needs
Every kid with autism is different; what soothes or excites somebody else’s child might be extremely overwhelming to your child. That’s why the first step to creating an autism-friendly backyard is to completely understand your child, their sensory sensitivities, and their needs.
Start by spending time in the yard with your child and watching how they react to their surroundings. Do they gravitate toward the crunch of leaves underfoot? Are they mesmerized by the way light dances through tree branches? These little insights can be your blueprint. For example, adding a swing might be ideal if they love motion. On the other hand, if they seemed to be enjoying playing with water, a simple fountain could become a great addition. Let your child’s natural preferences guide your decisions instead of trying to impose a one-size-fits-all design.
Make the Backyard Safe
As with everything else in your child’s life, safety is paramount. A safe and secure backyard allows your child to explore nature, relax, or play independently without constant supervision. However, a fence is one thing you need to make your backyard safe. This is especially true if you have a dog or your child tends to wander. So, choose something sturdy and tall enough to provide both privacy and protection. A locking gate can offer additional peace of mind.
When planning the layout, think about potential hazards. If your child is drawn to water, ponds or pools might need covers or fences of their own. Opt for soft surfaces under play areas—rubber mulch or artificial grass can cushion falls better than gravel or concrete.
Furthermore, pay attention to the plants you include in your garden. So many common garden plants are toxic if touched or ingested, so make sure you find a list of plants you must avoid. And, if your child enjoys digging in the dirt, steer clear of thorny bushes or anything with sharp leaves that can hurt your baby.
Design for Sensory Experiences
When making a new backyard autism-friendly for your child, you can go the traditional route or make the extra effort. If you really want to make something special, you can design a special sensory experience. For instance, you can create a quiet, peaceful corner for your child, filled with soft textures, like cushions, a hammock, or even a simple bean bag chair under a shady tree. On the other hand, if your child loves to keep active, you should consider adding a swing, trampoline, or spinning equipment to your backyard.
Textures are another way to keep things interesting. Smooth stones, cool sand, and soft grass can invite your child to explore tactile sensations. Raised garden beds or a patch of dirt for digging can encourage hands-on play and a deeper connection to nature. If your new home already has raised garden beds left over from the previous owner, make sure you go through them to clean out the potential garbage or harmful plants. Of course, cleaning your backyard is only one item on a huge list of things to do before moving in, but it’s absolutely crucial to do before you let your child explore on their own.
Finally, if your child responds well to sound, you should consider getting wind chimes or water features that create soothing background noise. Alternatively, if they’re sensitive to noise, you can consider ways to block or muffle unwanted sounds, like traffic or neighbors, with fences or dense greenery.
Create a Space for Exploration and Relaxation
As we already mentioned, adding a sensory garden can be an amazing way to make your new backyard autism-friendly for your child. You could plant a mix of visually engaging flowers, fragrant herbs, and interesting textures. For instance, lavender, rosemary, and lamb’s ear are great options for their calming properties and tactile appeal.
However, if your child isn’t interested in plants as much as they’re interested in animals, you could add a bird feeder or butterfly-friendly plants. Watching wildlife from the comfort of your backyard can be calming and fascinating. The idea is the more time your child spends in the backyard, the less they’ll spend in front of a screen.
Avoid Overstimulation
Reading this, you might already be getting a ton of new ideas for everything you could add to your backyard. However, this might also lead to overstimulation. Instead of being comforting and calming, too much color, noise, and activity may feel chaotic to your autistic child. So, stick to natural tones and materials wherever possible, and try to create clear boundaries between active and quiet areas.
Moreover, lighting can also play a huge role in overstimulation. Bright floodlights can feel too harsh and overwhelming, so it’s best you avoid them completely. Instead, opt for soft, diffused lighting like solar path lights or string lights. It’s not only less stimulating but also much prettier.
Involve Your Child in the Process
The best way to check if your child will appreciate the autism-friendly backyard is to involve them in the process. Ask them about their preferences when it comes to colors, plants, and all other decorations and activities for the area.
While you may not be able to include your child in the entire moving process, asking them for opinions and letting them make decisions about the new backyard is one of the best ways to make moving fun. By including your child, you’re creating a space tailored to fit their needs and giving them a sense of ownership and pride. In the end, it can be a fun bonding activity that brings your entire family closer together.
Build a Space for the Whole Family
While your main focus might be on your child with autism, don’t forget to make the backyard enjoyable for everyone. It’s a place for the entire family to get together. So, consider adding a table for outdoor meals, a fire pit for cozy evenings, or even a space for a simple picnic blanket on the grass. These shared areas encourage family interaction and help create lasting memories for everyone involved. When your child sees the whole family enjoying the backyard, they’ll be even more likely to join in the fun.
Final Thoughts
When making your new backyard autism-friendly for your child, always remember that your child’s needs and preferences will evolve over time. That’s why it’s essential you design a backyard that can grow with them. Choose features that can be adapted or updated easily. For example, a sandbox can eventually become a garden bed, and a small swing set can be upgraded with different attachments. In the end, keep an open mind. The beauty of a backyard is that it’s a living, changing space, just like your child.
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