Supports for Outings With Your Neurodivergent Child
By Jessica Jordan, MS, OTR/L & Erin Clarelli, MS, OTR/L
Heading out in the community without the boundaries, supports, and comforts of home can seem daunting for any parent or caregiver for any individual. It takes an investment of time to plan, resources ( to make sure you have the necessary items), mindset, and energy for whatever is in store, but we hope we can offer a few strategies to ease the burden for any individuals.
Make sure expectations are clear to avoid any uncertainty which may assist with keeping everyone in a regulated state & inform anyone involved of any schedule changes. Expectations can be outlined with a variety of modalities listed below. When expectations are clear, outcomes are usually more successful!
For example, “Today we are going to the dentist. Today they will be looking inside your mouth at your teeth, but I will be next to you the entire time.”
Offer varied ways to process information being shared from #1. Communication is key however it may look or be presented! Visual supports are a helpful tool to offer over just talking about it.
For example, a written out schedule (crossing out/making a mark once an item is completed), a picture schedule, watching videos of others at the same location, books (i.e. of going to the dentist), social stories, and visual timers or showing minutes left on your hands for older individuals (or showing them the time left on your watch/phone) can all be extremely useful and helpful tools!
Praise, celebrate, and acknowledge the individual’s success in the moment or after! Try to find opportunities to be present in periods of regulation and ese in order to identify and recognize these experiences outwardly. Our brains and nervous systems enjoy recognition, so highlighting these positive outcomes are key! Even when the outing is over, you can reflect on these moments and memories.
Provide or bring any sensory supports that may assist with keeping everyone regulated in different environments! It is important to know what works for YOU or the individual and know that with different contexts, we may see different adaptive responses, but overall sensory tools can be so helpful. Consultation with an occupational therapist may be key to discovering the best tools.
Some items may include: headphones, fidgets, weighted objects, or bringing transition objects such as a loved blanket/toy. Additional sensory input in the new environment may be helpful including resistive foods, and or heavy work activities.
Lastly, remember you are all doing the best that you can so don’t let comparison be the thief of any joy! Not all outings go as planned, even with these suggestions set in place so remind yourself you are doing the best you can, with what you have!
Let us know if you have any suggestions that you have found supportive to your family or self when you have ventured into a new environment.
