Life can be tough for those with ASD with various life activities causing anxiety, but about autism and moving house?

In this article we will explore why something like moving house can be a problem for those with autsim and how best to handle it.

Whilst the majority of this article will be through the eyes of a parent, we hope it helps adults also.

Why is it difficult?

If we’re being honest about it, moving house is a stressful time for many of us.

There is the packing, the carrying, the loading and ultimately trying to get settled which is taxing.

But what about for someone with autism? What is it that makes things difficult?

Here are some possible factors;

Change to routine

This is probably 80% of the issue for those with autism as moving house is an almighty change to the norm.

Over time a child with autism would have been accustomed to things happening in a certain way.

Their bed would have likely always been in the same place, as with the bathroom and general makeup of the property.

This consistency would have brought them comfort, with their home being an oasis of reassurance.

Now imagine changing all of that, suddenly they are in a strange property which they do not know.

There are strange cupboards, there are more or less bedrooms and even the property could be on a different level.

These changes will create uncertainty to a child with autism, this could then spiral into challenging behaviour.

The reasons for the move can be an added cause of distress. For example it could be that the move is as a result of a breakdown in a marriage.

All of these swirling changes to a child’s life can make it a daunting process.

Logistical changes

Sticking along the same vein as general changes to routine, there will be logistical changes to boot.

Picture from an autistic child’s point of view in that you had always taken the same journey to school.

But it’s not just school, you also knew that your favourite park was just around the corner and the shops were a 5 minute walk.

Suddenly you’re transported to this strange place where everything is different. You have no idea how to get to school and your favourite park is a distant memory.

Its understandable how this can be stressful.

Sensory input

As we all know one of the hallmark features of autism is heightened sensory sensitivities.

Kids with autism may therefore experience extreme sensitivity to light, noise, textures, and smells.

Noises such as the rip of a roll of tape to secure boxes is an imposing and new sound for many.

When moving to a new house, this symphony of sensory experiences can be distressing.

Other examples include the noise of arranging furniture and moving trucks which can cause extreme discomfort and anxiety.

Even things like the smells of a new property which may have recently been painted can be distressing.

No end to the upheaval

We all know that once you move house you’re not done in a day.

You may be physically inside the property but there is always more which needs sorting.

It may be that you change your mind about the furniture positions or you want to change the decor.

This constant state of change can be distressing to an autistic child who is just trying to get their head around the move.

Communication challenges

It is common for effective communication to be challenging for people with autism.

When moving, an autistic child may struggle to express their feelings, making it difficult for them to cope with the changes.

For example, a child with autism may have trouble indicating their preferences or distress during the moving process.

This could be something as simple as not wanting a particular teddy to go in a box.

Watching mom or dad stuff their prized possessions into boxes can be alarming in itself.

How to make moving house more comfortable

With all those factors in play it only makes sense that we as parents will want to make the move as stress free as possible.

Here are some ideas of what you could do;

Prep in advance

If your child knows what is coming then they may be more relaxed about the process.

Consider visiting the new property in advance of the move. If possible you could show them around inside and let them pick a bedroom (within reason!).

You could consider walking around the area together on multiple occasions. This would give them an understanding of what’s in the surrounding neighborhood.

Consider taking them to the nearest park or play area to show that there are advantages to the move also.

If your child is non verbal you could explain the move by using social stories or pictures.

You can explain the process in that everything gets loaded into a van or truck and you unpack at the other end.

All of this is just preparing them for what is to follow, so the day of the move doesn’t come as a surprise.

Consider a babysitter during move day

Even with the best preparation in the world the day of the move will be stressful on your child.

With that in mind consider calling in some favours and having your child stay elsewhere for the day.

This way they will be shielded from the sensory bombardment involved in the move itself.

Utilising this tactic may make the move a bit of a surprise but if you have prepared as well as possible, your child will hopefully adjust quickly.

Involve them in the process

Autonomy can be important for people with autism, so you can involve your child in the process.

Clearly you’re not going to let them decide which property you are going to buy or rent but there are other choices they can contribute to.

For example when it comes to decorating you could let them choose a colour for their room.

Again you can impart influence by limiting their options but letting them choose may provide comfort.

Summary – Autism and moving house

Moving house is a complex process that can be particularly difficult for individuals with autism.

The challenges they face are likely due to disrupted routine and transition anxiety.

It’s important to note that these challenges are genuine and should be approached with sensitivity and understanding.

By acknowledging these difficulties and taking steps to support the child during the moving process, we can help make the transition to a new home a more positive experience for them.