![]() Talk with your child about unspoken footpath rules.You could buy a video or make one yourself. For example, you could watch a video about crossing the road. The map could show your house and local landmarks like your child’s school, the library and the train station. ![]() Draw a map of your area with your child.Practise at home using toy cars, pictures or a social story before you go out.It’s also important for children to know that they shouldn’t use a phone or other device while they’re near roads. Practise paying attention to things like which way cars are turning and whether drivers are looking at pedestrians.For example, ‘Is the car coming fast or slow?’ ‘Will we have enough space to pass the people on the footpath?’ For example, ‘The red person means we can’t cross the road. ![]() Model safe pedestrian behaviour and describe what you’re doing.Here are some ways you can help your autistic child build their pedestrian and road safety skills: If you lay the groundwork in these areas early, your child will have basic skills and knowledge for independence as they get older. skills for coping when things don’t go to plan.Building skills for autistic children to go out independentlyĪs part of a gradual approach to increasing independence, you can help your child develop: Community activities like scouts, drama, art or sport groups can also give your child the chance to practise these skills in different situations. For example, your child might be able to practise with older siblings, trusted family friends, or a friend and their parent. Plenty of opportunities to practise will help when you use this gradual approach with your child. For example, if your child is very interested in trains, you could practise going to the library and borrowing a book about trains. It can help if you use your child’s special interests. You can adapt this step-by-step approach to many other activities like going to the local shopping centre or library. You wait at a nearby coffee shop while your child walks to the bakery and buys the bread.You go to the bakery with your child and stand outside the bakery while your child goes in, asks for the bread and pays.Your child asks for the bread and pays while you stand beside them. You explain to your child what to say and do. You buy a loaf of bread from the bakery with your child beside you.This way children can learn and practise at a pace that’s comfortable for them and you.įor example, the following steps can help your child build skills for going to a shop and buying something: You can start by building skills step by step during everyday outings with your child. It’s best to start working on this long before you let children go out by themselves. ![]() To go out independently and safely, children need skills and confidence. A gradual approach to going out independently Autistic children might need extra practice and strategies. These include practising, getting to know the local area and having an emergency plan. You can use many of the strategies that help all children learn skills for going out independently. With the right support, many autistic children can learn to go out independently. It can also be good for children’s self-esteem and sense of belonging. This is good for children’s confidence now and for their independence in the teenage years.
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