Is Your Child Sensitive To Sensory Input? 4 Things To Look For In Your New Home
Posted on: 27 June 2018
If you are the parent of a child with sensory sensitivities, you know that life can be challenging. Finding a new home to live in and creating an environment that suits your child's needs is one of the hardest challenges for a living situation.
As you search for your new home, look for these few elements to make your child's transition easier.
Natural Lighting. Artificial lighting can be too much stimulation for many children who are sensitive. You can create a warmer and more comforting environment if you start with a house that has lots of natural lighting. This way, you can supplement the lighting less and boost natural cues for sleeping and wakefulness.
Organization. Many autistic children, as well as others with special needs, like order. The more you can design a space that feels orderly and organized, the less causes for confusion or interruption they will experience. To this end, look for a home that has plenty of integrated storage and organizational systems. If these things are lacking, make sure that there's room to add storage — specifically in the child's bedroom, play rooms, and kitchen — without getting in the way of the house's layout.
Comfortable Layouts. The house layout is more important if your little one has mobility challenges. But even if they don't, a calm and logical layout can help prevent unnecessary stress. Is there enough rooms that your child can have their own bedroom and a place to play that's not in the center of the house action? Can they engage in the activities they enjoy without interruption? And can you create a similar living arrangement to your current home so that the transition is easier?
Less Clutter. Visual clutter can be an added stimulus that a sensitive child doesn't need. A simple layout with clean lines, few patterns, and neutral styles is often best. You may also want to change the decor to be more calming by avoiding bold colors and bright accents. Assess whether your intended house can accommodate this with a minimum amount of renovation. And consider the house's auditory clutter as well, such as busy roads, lots of pedestrians, and even nearby schools or parks.
As you shop for new homes for sale, consider how it will help your special needs child adjust and enjoy their new home as well. While this may be challenging, the reward will be a happier family and a less stressful move.
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