All parents naturally worry about their child being safe. But for parents of children on the autism spectrum it can be a great headache, worrying about their child being at risk of harm.

Children with autism don’t appear to have the same inbuilt ‘safety filters’, as a typically developing child. Their sensory processing skills don’t seem to act effectively when there is danger nearby or they are at risk of getting hurt.

Many children with autism put themselves in danger daily, due to Sensory Processing Challenges. Therefore parents, carers and teachers of children on the spectrum need strategies and tools that will give the child understanding.

Research suggests that parents of children on the autism spectrum can help their child learn safety rules using social skills stories.

Some of the challenges faced by a child on the spectrum include recognising when something is too hot or too cold, or if there is danger from an object such as scissors, or maybe recognising the danger of standing on furniture or running inside the home / school.

Even if they learn safety rules such as ‘Buckle up when in the car,’ or ‘Do not run around in a car park,’ their sensory processing challenges put them in danger because all they may see is the shop they want to get too, or a beautiful blue car they want to touch, and before you know off they run towards the shop / car, putting themselves in danger.

Staying Safe Social Stories are written to help parents, carers and teachers of children on the spectrum teach their child the dangers that are present around them during the day
They answer the important ‘wh’ questions, what, where, when and why using images and first person text

To download your copy of Staying Safe Social stories to help alleviate sensory processing challenges visit: http://www.autismsocialstories.com/