Children with autism present a challenge when attending parties. Through no fault of their own, a gathering can be something of a sensory overload, meaning they can’t enjoy themselves as much as other kids. This can ruin their thighs and cause some distress when attending social events like parties. So what can you do? Don’t worry. There are some solutions to this unique dilemma. From explaining things to practising interactions, here are some things you can try.
Take Hyperacusis into Consideration
Some kids on the autism spectrum have a higher sensitivity to light and sound. Sound sensitivity, called hyperacusis, can be one of the most unsettling things for autistic children. It can cause severe distress and make things much worse. So this can be a problem at a party, right? Well, there are some things you can do. Silent Disco Hire allows you to control the volume and what you listen to. This will enable children with autism to enjoy music on their own terms.
Explain What Will Happen to Children with Autism
The number of autism diagnoses has risen by 787% since 1998 in the UK alone. This presents challenges to parents of children with autism right across the spectrum. However, because of this, we are learning a lot more. One thing we know is that autistic children don’t like surprises. Whether hosting or attending, it will be a massive help to explain to your child what will happen at the party. Knowing what to expect can help keep them calm and avoid unexpected distress.
Practice Greetings and Arrivals
All children are different, and autistic children still have their own unique personalities. However, a common challenge is meeting new people. Some kids on the spectrum are incredibly outgoing, and others are timid and get stressed around strangers. However, parties are social and present a challenge for autistic kids. It can help to practise meeting people and what to say. For example, how to greet others arriving at the party and thanking them for coming.
Have a Plan for Leaving if Needed
As a parent of an autistic child you might know the importance of an escape plan. The social conditions that come with the challenge means anything can go wrong at any time. You can spot the signs of distress over time which can be a massive help at social events like parties. Your child will feel safe at home but can be overwhelmed with visitors. When attending a party at another house, have a plan for getting out of there quickly and quietly if something happens.
Make the Party Inclusive for Children with Autism
We can sometimes forget to be inclusive of others when we cater primarily to ourselves. If you know an autistic child or children are coming to your toddler party, there are some easy ways you can make them feel better about it. These are easy but powerful ideas you can try:
- Have a clear structure and keep the party shorter than usual.
- Create a theme based on the interests of the children attending.
- Provide sensory-friendly food such as chicken, apples, and carrots.
- Host the party somewhere familiar to keep things a little calmer.
- Avoid anything that can cause stress, such as singing Happy Birthday!
It can be challenging for autistic kids to stay away from their comfort zones for long periods, especially at social events. A shorter party will help them with this. Sensory overload also extends to taste, so bland food and keeping surprises to a minimum will also help the kids.
Inform the Kids Who to Go To
As a parent, you might not be able to stay at the party with your child. This can be distressing for both of you. Your child with autism might become distressed while you aren’t there. This makes it vital that there is someone in attendance who knows and understands the unique challenges that come with autistic children. Let your child know about the adults they need to go to if they feel overwhelmed so they can help them or get in touch with you if it is required.
Avoid Activities Likely to Cause an Issue
Parties are loud, energetic and overwhelming for some. All the excitement can be overwhelming for kids not on the spectrum, so it can be a nightmare for kids who are on it. Some activities are likely to cause an issue for autistic children, such as traditional party games. If attending a party is expected to include these, it can be best to decline the invitation. There might be inclusive activities, such as crafting, that are calmer and will be beneficial for your child to attend.
Let Children with Autism Know Who Will be There
There are unique challenges that come with being on the spectrum and caring for children and others affected by autism. Today, over 75 million people worldwide are diagnosed as autistic. The high number and recognition means we are learning more all the time. One of the things we know is that children with autism don’t like the unknown and are less distressed when they know who they are going to meet. This can be helpful when attending things like birthday parties.
Watch Videos of Kids Enjoying Party Games
Autistic kids are less distressed about specific events when they are able to understand what will happen. But it can be hard to explain parties since they are usually unique. They are unique in what will happen and who will attend. However, there are also similarities and expected commonalities. It can be beneficial to watch YouTube videos of children attending birthday parties so your child knows what to expect, how to behave, and the activities they can do.
Summary
A silent disco can be a massive help with hyperacusis in children with autism at parties. It will also help to make any parties more inclusive for autistic kids by keeping them shorter, with bland food offerings and a familiar setting. YouTube videos can help visualise what will happen.
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