3 Super-Simple Tips to Help You Build a Bedroom Fit for Any Child with Autism
Children who are on the autism spectrum can have so many special talents. However, when it comes to their bedrooms, they also have some very special needs that should be addressed. A child’s bedroom should serve as a respite from the buzzing and business of the outside world. So, how can you give your child a relaxing space that also benefits their special senses? By using these handy tips from Autisable to create and style a bedroom he/she will love!
For a Calming Bedroom, It’s All About Your Color Palette
Your kids may spend time playing in their rooms, but the primary purpose of a bedroom is to help them relax and sleep soundly. Sleep disturbances and insomnia can already be an issue for children on the spectrum, so the last thing you want is to have bright colors further affect their sleep. That’s why you should stick to calmer colors, such as blue, gray, or even pale pinks, when painting and decorating the room of a child with autism. For the walls, if you aren’t sure what your child will respond to best, you could test a peel and stick wallpaper in a soothing color or pattern on one wall. That way if it isn’t working for your child you can always remove it and try something else without having to repaint the whole room. For the rest of the room, choose decor and fabrics in similar shades and avoid any lively patterns or odd textures that may overwhelm your child’s senses. For another creative way to add soothing color, you can also pick up some calming lamps. Even something as simple as a lava lamp can be therapeutic for a child with sensory issues. The soft movement and colors of these retro toys can help kids on the spectrum drift off to sleep faster.
The Health and Safety of Your Child is Always Important Too
Thinking about aesthetics can be so much fun when you’re making over your child’s bedroom. As a parent, however, you know that health and safety are important too. Since poor indoor air quality can play such a major role in your family’s health, be sure to take the proper steps to keep pollutants and irritants out of the air your child breathes. A good combo for keeping bedroom air clean is to always use an air purifier and regularly replace HVAC filters. If you have a hard time finding filters that fit, you can always check online filter guides to find high-quality options and even sign up for subscriptions that will keep you on a consistent schedule. Once you’ve cleaned pollutants out of your air, think about adding calming aromas to soothe your child. You can use a diffuser and certain oil combos that benefit children on the spectrum. Cedarwood and lavender can provide calm, while bergamot can boost your child’s mood.
Updating Your Child’s Mattress Can Help With Bedtime Woes
Improving your child’s air quality may help with sleep hygiene, but autism-related sleep problems are fairly common. Your child may have issues falling asleep, staying asleep, and ultimately getting the rest needed to truly thrive. Designing a calming bedroom with fresh, clean air can help, but it may be time to shop for a new child’s mattress too. An old or worn out mattress could cause your child discomfort at night, or your child may be getting too hot at night. Look for a mattress that will support your child’s sleep habits and let them test it out before settling on an option. That sounds silly, but many mattress companies offer a trial period so that parents can be sure they are getting the right bed for their child. To further improve sleep hygiene, consider adding darkening drapes to filter out distracting outside light and noises at night. You can also think about using a noise machine or fan to help your child sleep. Just be sure to keep it on throughout the night since even slight changes can wake your child.
Keeping your child’s sleep and relaxation needs in mind is important when creating a bedroom for a child on the spectrum. The colors, textures, and light in your child’s refreshed bedroom should provide some much-needed relaxation while avoiding overstimulation. Finding that balance between the two is critical to soothing your child’s senses and making bedtime more enjoyable and relaxing for you both.
Photo Credit: Pexels
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