Boating Tips for Autistic Children
Many people find boats and the motions of the water to be calming, and many autistic children may feel the same way. There’s no reason why boating can’t be a pleasurable experience for your child, despite their special needs. In fact, Lori Mcllewan, the chairperson of the National Autism Association agrees that water can be a comfort because “it helps them to maintain a sense of balance and feel a sense of weightlessness.” However, there needs to be preparation and planning if you want to help ensure that their first time on a boat is a pleasant and fun experience.
Would you like to take your autistic child out on the family boat or out on a boating cruise/trip? In light of Autism Awareness Month, read on …show more content…
This can help remove any uncertainty and help relieve any anxiety, just make sure all the stimuli that you offer your child is positive.
• If you are going on a cruise or boating trip, you don’t want to bring your child out without first discussing if they accept and have experience with children who are on the autism spectrum. Be sure to inform the captain and crew of your child’s needs and sensitivities. Voice any and all concerns that you may have to see if they can accommodate.
• Get your child accustomed to the sights and sounds of boats by introducing them slowly and by going at their pace. Bring your child onto a boat while its docked and let them get used to the sights, sounds, and the feeling of a boat. All autistic children have their own triggers, so this will have to be tailored to your child’s needs. Allow them to hear and press the boat horn, let them hear how a boat sounds with its engines running, have them wear a life vest, and allow them to touch and explore the boat. This way there are no surprises and also this will help you figure out and work on any other triggers before your first time out on the water together. This is easier if you own a
Many people find boats and the motions of the water to be calming, and many autistic children may feel the same way. There’s no reason why boating can’t be a pleasurable experience for your child, despite their special needs. In fact, Lori Mcllewan, the chairperson of the National Autism Association agrees that water can be a comfort because “it helps them to maintain a sense of balance and feel a sense of weightlessness.” However, there needs to be preparation and planning if you want to help ensure that their first time on a boat is a pleasant and fun experience.
Would you like to take your autistic child out on the family boat or out on a boating cruise/trip? In light of Autism Awareness Month, read on …show more content…
This can help remove any uncertainty and help relieve any anxiety, just make sure all the stimuli that you offer your child is positive.
• If you are going on a cruise or boating trip, you don’t want to bring your child out without first discussing if they accept and have experience with children who are on the autism spectrum. Be sure to inform the captain and crew of your child’s needs and sensitivities. Voice any and all concerns that you may have to see if they can accommodate.
• Get your child accustomed to the sights and sounds of boats by introducing them slowly and by going at their pace. Bring your child onto a boat while its docked and let them get used to the sights, sounds, and the feeling of a boat. All autistic children have their own triggers, so this will have to be tailored to your child’s needs. Allow them to hear and press the boat horn, let them hear how a boat sounds with its engines running, have them wear a life vest, and allow them to touch and explore the boat. This way there are no surprises and also this will help you figure out and work on any other triggers before your first time out on the water together. This is easier if you own a