FAQautism

As our children with grown into teens and young adults, we need to help them find a safe haven – their own spot to relax and escape from the constant supervision by adults in their lives.

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In today’s podcast, we will look at some options for creating a safe haven for a young teenager who requires constant supervision because of his persistent habits of emptying drawers and closets, breaking and tearing items, and pulling books and objects off shelves. The parents, teachers, and others are patiently addressing the destructive behaviors, but, meanwhile, he needs a safe hangout that doesn’t require constant monitoring.

Let’s help this teenager put together a safe haven, either in his room or in another room in the house. If, for example, his spot is in his bedroom, clear the clothes from his closet and dresser. Then let him pick out things he likes for his spot. Here are some ideas that have worked for other teens.
+ Consider putting a desk in his room so he can sit in a chair rather than just on his bed or the floor.
+ Pick a desk with drawers so he can put unbreakable items he likes in the drawers. Some items this teen might like include Hot Wheel cars, dominoes, a deck of cards, car magazines, nature magazines, a child-proof flashlight, squishy balls, sensory toys, and photo albums of family, school, and events.
+ If he tears up books and magazines, you can make custom books by laminating photos or pages from his favorite magazines and putting them in a binder.
+ If he likes to watch television and videos, but will destroy the television if not supervised, put the t.v. in a cabinet with a lockable plexiglass front. The remote control can be located in a cabinet in the hallway just outside his room, requiring adults to change channels, but not obligating them to sit with the teen to prevent his destroying electronics.
+ If he likes music, but will destroy a CD player or CD’s, you can hang a CD player or iPod out of reach outside his room attached to speakers mounted high on his walls or the ceiling.
+ You might be able to locate a rugged, small radio that he can keep in his room.
+ One very popular item for many individuals with autism is a swing. You might be able to install a hammock swing from a beam in the ceiling, or put a porch swing on a frame right in his room.

TIP FOR THE DAY. We can help make life run smoother if we take time to create a safe and enjoyable space where teens and young adults with autism can enjoy free time and an brief escape from constant monitoring.

Psssst! Want more ideas for systematically address challenging issues that can arise in the lives of our friends with autism? Click on the Toolkit tab on our webiste for great resources: http://FAQautism.com

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com

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