Autism Safety Products: Keep Yourself and Your Child Safe
Being a parent is a stressful (yet rewarding) job. Not a day goes by that we don’t worry about our kids. If you’re like me, you might have already said a few thousand prayers for your children’s safety and have a few thousand more planned, regardless of how old or grown-up your kids are.
There are all kinds of internal and external factors that can pose a threat to your child’s safety. We also have the responsibility of educating and ensuring our children don’t harm those around them.
Of course, parents of children with autism have additional factors to consider. Autism affects how a child perceives their surroundings and how they respond to different situations. Often, it’s not just one thing that requires extra attention on our part as guardians but many small things that can quickly turn into big problems.
This is why it pays to be extremely careful when it comes to your child’s safety.
Throughout the years, I’ve tried various products to keep my children and myself safe. Let’s talk about different potentially dangerous situations and behaviors and related products that have proven effective.
We could spend all day talking about what and whom we need to keep our children safe from but let’s focus on these main ones: aggression, wandering, falling, and busy streets.
Danger: Aggression
Screaming, yelling, kicking, biting; we’ve all been there. Sometimes even your two-year-old can have you feeling like a punching bag. Of course, harmful and dangerous behaviors are never appropriate. First, however, we have to understand the factors that might incline your child to exhibit unsafe behavior, whether directed to themselves or those around them.
Autism can make it difficult for a child to understand what might cause harm. For example, they may not understand how strongly they push, pull, grab, or bite another child or adult. Diving into the whys and how’s behind these behaviors is a topic in itself for another day, so for now, let’s just focus on products that can help keep everyone safe.
Solution: Glove
Hand Control Mitts
MITTS serve two purposes through hand restriction. First, it protects children against self-abuse. Second, it protects caretakers and those around the child. I prefer this option because they also have soothing natural herbs that helps calm.
NATURAL INGREDIENTS – The Mars Wellness Microwavable Mittens are filled with all natural herbs. To wash simply Spot clean, damp cloth, air dry-do not submerge.
- PLUSH MINKY FABRIC – Hot/Cold therapy should never have to be uncomfortable. The Mars Wellness Microwavable Mittens were designed with a soft milky plush fabric making it super soft to the touch while providing the full hot/cold therapy.
Then for the more aggressive older children who are known for biting or scratching parents and staff. These are the BEST proven true by Normal life Inc. Staff.
Cut & Scratch Resistant Gloves
If your child displays violent behaviors, you know how painful that can be when you’re not prepared—keeping a pair of scratch-resistant gloves on hand to use, when necessary, can save you from stress down the road when there is a risk of aggression. This pair from Amazon was designed with extended arm sleeves. Thankfully, they are comfortable and flexible enough to allow you to interact with your child confidently. Staff enjoy the way they fit and how they look. Many behaviors are sprung on us, and these are comfortable to wear all day and will protect against bites and scratches.
Danger: Wandering off
Wandering Some children with autism are habitual wanderers. If they wander about at night, this is a significant safety risk. Other members of the home are asleep, so your child will be unsupervised and free to access anything in or outside the home.
Solution: Door Locks
Door locks are an ingenious and simple tool that has proven to be lifesaving. Look at one of our previous blogs fo
for a more detailed view of door locks.
Glide Lok Child Safety Door Top Lock
You can access this child safety lock from either side of the door, so you don’t need to worry about getting yourself locked in. Installation is super quick and easy, requiring just one screw drilled into the door frame. This lock is installed on the top of the door, keeping it entirely out of sight and touch to smaller children.
Magnetic Cabinet Locks
The only way to get through the lock is with a magnetic key, so even the sneakiest of kids won’t be able to break the lock. However, parents need to remember where they put the key.
Danger: Falling
Solution: Non Slip Grip Socks
Many autistic people face the risk of falling or slipping. At times, this can do even more damage than harmful behaviors. For example, it’s estimated that 80% of individuals with autism deal with some form of movement problem.
In addition to physical therapy and exercises, there are practical tools you can purchase for your child and the home.
Non-Slip Grip Socks
There’s a reason why any overnight hospital stay will always include non-slip socks – they work! A pair of quality grip socks can boost your child’s confidence and help reduce fall-related accidents in the home.
It gives a silent approach to comfort and stability with the help of traction grips on the bottom side of the sock that won’t scratch up your floors or furniture.
TruTread offers a great line of comfortable non-slip socks. If your child has sensory issues, you might like to check out the company’s other socks, made in different materials and styles.
OasisSpace Heavy Duty Shower Chair with Assist Grab Bar
Children have different levels of independence and might need extra help when getting ready. For instance, some children with autism need additional support when getting cleaned up and taking a shower, while others are totally independent in this\area.
Regardless of your family’s situation, adding a durable shower chair to your bathroom can help keep everyone in your family safe. They are a comfortable and secure method to helping your children accomplish a daily task, increase their independence, and help them get in and out of the shower.
OasisSpace’s shower chair is made of high-quality materials that support up to 500 pounds of weight. It has a thickened seat and backrest, anti-skid rubber tips, and has adjustable height legs. It’s also small enough to fit in practically any shower.
Danger: Busy Streets
Solution: Signs and barriers
Busy streets are a major red flag for parents, especially those of us caring for special needs children. When playing outside, we have to help our children understand the importance of staying in the yard and driveway. At the same time, many parents choose to take additional steps to notify drivers and neighbors to slow down and be on the lookout for our little ones.
Warning Sign Slow Autistic Child at Play
When driving through residential neighborhoods, we should automatically assume children will be playing near the street. Of course, every neighborhood has speed limits, but it doesn’t hurt to err on the side of caution when it comes to our children’s lives and safety.
If your child enjoys playing outside or has been known to make a run for it, check out where you could add a warning “Child at Play” sign to the end of your driveway.
If you opt for a stand-up fold-out sign, ensure it doesn’t block or obstruct the road or pose a hazard for cars or pedestrians. Most cities will urge you to keep it off your curb or the road and, on your driveway, or yard.
Another way to protect our loved ones is a sign letting first responders know we have an Autistic Child, and they might not be able to answer questions or respond in a way they might not understand.
Kidkusion Inc. Retractable Driveway Guard
Investing in a retractable driveway guard, like this one from Kidkusion, will give you a whole new meaning to peace of mind. This mesh gate expands to 25 feet and is 36 inches tall to serve as a visual barrier between your children and the street. In addition, it’s less than 8 pounds, so you can easily tuck it away when not in use.
Safety Doesn’t Happen by Accident
Remember, these are merely a handful of products crafted to help you avoid or deal with a few potentially dangerous situations. There are ever so many other scenarios we could dissect.
However, the important thing is that you, as the guardian, take the time to learn what specific situations your child needs protection from and how you can offer them that protection. This is a very important responsibility given to us. Our children are precious gifts and need our protection and guidance, whether they like to admit it or not.
The best way to keep your child safe is to pay attention and teach your child the proper way to identify and stay safe from danger. Safety items are helpful but are no replacement for supervision. And remember, an ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure!
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