Families raising children with autism know that success relies on teamwork both at home and at school. Parents, teachers and therapists each play a role in providing the right support, whether it’s through structured routines, sensory tools or autism therapy at home. When strategies are carried over consistently across environments, kids feel more confident, daily routines become smoother and everyone benefits from a shared understanding of what helps a child thrive.

Parenting a Child With Autism – A Parent’s Perspective

Parents often describe their experience of raising children as an emotional rollercoaster– moments of celebration mixed with those of uncertainty. All of the joys, challenges and discoveries of the autism parenting journey can be exciting, and also lead to feelings of burnout. Parents are faced with daily concerns such as managing their child’s sensory needs, balancing energy levels, keeping them safe and making autism-friendly meals. It can feel exhausting to tackle it all.

Autism parent support groups are valuable resources for many parents. Sharing stories, tips and experiences can remind families that they are not alone, as well as provide them with valuable ideas to try at home. Hearing from other parents who have found success with creating visual schedules and a predictable meal schedule can increase a sense of calm and reassurance. They might know about therapy gyms, public spaces with a sensory room or when there are autism-friendly events at places like the local zoo or museums.

Autism Therapy Insights – Expert Advice From Specialists

Therapists often play a large role in guiding families with autism. Depending on your child’s needs, they may benefit from occupational therapy or applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy, among others. Regardless who your child sees, it is crucial that you carry over the skills worked on in therapy sessions to their home life. Therapy sessions are only a small part of a child’s week, so consistently working on the same skills outside of therapy can reinforce the skill and boost the child’s confidence.

Parents can, and should, work with their child’s therapist or seek autism parent training to gain confidence in their own ability to support their child and reinforce therapy strategies at home. A parent’s involvement and dedication can also deepen the parent-child relationship, further impacting the child’s overall development and wellbeing.

Autism and School Challenges – Daily Hurdles for Kids

School can be overwhelming for neurotypical kids, and especially for those on the autism spectrum. Some students struggle with maintaining attendance because of the sensory overload they may experience while in school. Classrooms can be loud, busy environments. There are many other children in the room, disparate conversations and visual clutter that may agitate a sensory-sensitive child.

When a school provides meals or snacks throughout the day, it can pose a challenge for some children with autism who have sensory food aversions. If the school foods don’t align with the child’s “safe foods,” then they may opt to go hungry instead– this can lead to even greater sensory dysregulation.

Sensory preferences often inform a child’s food choices. This could be based on color, taste, smell or mouth feel. For example, children with a high sensory threshold might only be able to perceive foods with intense flavors or textures, like very spicy or crunchy foods. Those with a low threshold may only tolerate bland or smooth foods. Speak to the school about making arrangements for your child to bring their own food, and heat it up if necessary. Ensuring that their nutritional needs are met will help the day go more smoothly and pave the way for greater understanding and cooperation. If your child’s safe foods are very limited, consider working with a nutritionist to find nutrient-dense options they will eat and to gently introduce new foods.

Kids who are transitioning to high school may face even greater struggles. Many high schools are larger schools, with bigger class sizes. There are new routines and more nuanced social expectations to navigate. Children are confronted with these challenges every day at school; parents and educators can work together to create autism-friendly environments to help their students feel safe and supported.

Read our helpful guide on back to school sensory strategies for kids with autism.

Creating an Autism-Friendly Environment at Home and School

Making spaces calmer and more predictable helps support learning and regulation for kids with autism. Both home and school environments can follow similar strategies to reduce sensory overwhelm. Adapt any of our occupational therapists’ suggestions below to the space available.

Use soft LED lighting instead of harsh fluorescents and incorporate a soothing color palette. Try to minimize visual clutter by incorporating a soothing color palette by not having too many things on display at once. Designate a low-traffic area as a calming corner. Outfit it with cozy flexible seating, a basket of fidgets, noise reducing headphones and a lap pad or weighted friend.

Many children with autism benefit struggle to cope with unexpected or unknown changes and events. By hanging up visual schedules in easy-to-see spots, they can feel reassured by knowing what is coming up. If there are choices for an activity, then use visual aids to depict what options are available. This can reduce the decision paralysis that some children feel when they are faced with too many options.

Weighted Worm

Air-Lite® Cozy Canoe

Sensory Tools and Products That Help Kids With Autism

Sensory tools can be a game changer for kids with autism. The right tools promote better focus, emotional regulation and increased comfort in a variety of everyday situations. Parents and teachers frequently notice that transitions are smoother and there are fewer meltdowns when sensory tools are used throughout the day. By keeping these or similar tools in the house, too, parents are able to improve the quality of autism therapy at home and regulation at school.

Here are some of our occupational therapist-recommended tools to support autism needs:

Weighted Tools

Deep pressure provides soothing proprioceptive input that helps calm the nervous system. There are a variety of weighted tools that can be used in different situations. At home, add a weighted blanket to the child’s bed to make bedtime less stressful and provide all-night comfort. Weighted lap pads are a great alternative for their easy portability; keep one in the car for travel or send it back and forth to school. Kids who need extra support to stay grounded during class can wear a weighted vest to ease transitions between activities, reduce the stress of test-taking or during overstimulating school events.

Sensory Basics® Weighted Lap Pads

Stretch Denim Weighted Vest

Fidgets

Many children find it easier to listen and participate in their surroundings when their hands are engaged with a fidget tool. The repetitive motion of fidgeting is a safe, often discreet outlet for excess energy. Keep a variety of tools in easy access for children to use on the go, at home, or during class. Things like putty, stress balls and chewable fidgets come in many different colors and themes to suit different preferences and needs.

Every child with autism has their own strengths, challenges and ways of connecting with the world. What works for one child may look different for another, and that’s okay. By building sensory-friendly spaces and using tools that support regulation, families and educators can create environments where kids feel understood. With patience and the right resources, children with autism can grow, learn and thrive on their own terms.

Weighted Sequin Fidget

ABC 123 Putty Mats