Personal safety

Ensuring the safety of autistic children and teens is something we need to be constantly mindful of.

It’s about being actively involved and putting in consistent effort to create a secure environment for them. Understanding their unique challenges, keeping communication clear, and tailoring safety measures to their needs are all part of the process. The key is to find a balance between providing the right amount of supervision and encouraging their independence. This approach not only protects them from potential risks but also gives them the confidence and tools to navigate their world safely.

Navigating adolescence

Adolescence brings a lot of changes, and for autistic children and teenagers, this time can be especially challenging. As they start seeking more independence, it's even more important to focus on their safety and wellbeing.

Understanding their vulnerabilities

Autistic children and teenagers, like all adolescents, face certain risks, but they might feel these risks more deeply because of differences in social communication and sensory sensitivities. Common issues include difficulties with peer relationships, a higher likelihood of being bullied, and the risks that come with increased online activity, like cyberbullying. These challenges can seriously affect their mental health, which is why keeping a close eye on them is so important.

Signs to watch for:

• Withdrawing from family interactions
• Hesitation or refusal to attend school
• Unexplained injuries
• Noticeable changes in behaviour, such as increased anger or emotional distress
• More frequent or intense stimming or obsessive behaviours

These signs could point to underlying issues like bullying or, in more severe cases, physical or sexual abuse. Spotting these signs early and taking action can help prevent long-term emotional damage.

Dealing with peer pressure and substance use

The teenage years often come with temptations, including alcohol and drugs. While some autistic teens might stay away from these due to personal or sensory reasons, others might find it hard to resist peer pressure. As parents or caregivers, it's crucial to be aware of these possibilities and to have open, supportive conversations with your teen about the risks involved.

Supporting emotional regulation

School can be particularly stressful for autistic students, and this stress can sometimes make it hard for them to manage strong emotions. This might lead to behaviours like self-injury or aggression. Recognising these challenges is essential; getting the right support can make a big difference.

Building a strong support network is essential for managing the challenges that autistic teenagers may face. Professional help from general practitioners, pediatricians or psychologists can offer valuable guidance tailored to their specific needs. It’s important for the entire family to be informed and prepared to handle potential emotional outbursts or crises. This collective understanding within the family creates a more supportive and stable environment, which is vital for the teenager's wellbeing.

Helping your child navigate puberty

Puberty is a time of significant physical and emotional changes, which can be particularly challenging for children with autism and intellectual disabilities. During this time, they need extra guidance and support. A great resource for this is Planet Puberty. It offers up-to-date information, strategies, and resources to help parents and caregivers support their children through puberty.

Teaching about private body parts and personal boundaries

As puberty approaches, it’s important to teach children about private body parts and personal boundaries. This knowledge is crucial not only for their understanding of their bodies but also for their safety. Here are some recommended books that can help guide this discussion:

• Let’s Talk About Body Boundaries, Consent & Respect by Jayneen Sanders and Sarah Jennings
• My Underpants Rule! by Kate and Rod Power
• Everybody’s Got a Bottom by Tess Rowley
• No-no the Little Seal by Judith Feldman

These books can help explain who is allowed to touch them and under what circumstances, making these important lessons easier for children to understand.

Explaining public vs. private behaviours

It’s also essential to teach children the difference between what’s appropriate in public versus in private. For example, activities like using the toilet, showering, and dressing should be done in private. Visual aids can be really helpful here—a simple chart showing that pants should only be pulled down in the toilet after the door is closed can make these concepts clearer.

Children need to understand where it’s safe to perform personal activities. You might use labelled photos to help them identify public places (like schools and libraries) and private (like bathrooms and bedrooms at home). It’s also crucial to teach them about safety in unfamiliar places, like staying inside a shopping centre rather than being alone in a stairwell or bathroom.

Protecting autistic children and teens from sexual abuse

Understanding the risks

Child sexual abuse involves any form of sexual activity with a child initiated by an adult or an older child. Unfortunately, autistic children and teenagers are particularly vulnerable to this kind of abuse. They might have difficulty recognising unsafe situations, struggle to assert their discomfort, or be seen as easier targets because of communication challenges. Given that autistic children often interact with many different support workers and therapists, they may be exposed to more adults, which can increase the risk.

The right to safety

Every child has the right to grow up in a safe environment, free from abuse. Protecting autistic children from sexual abuse is not just a responsibility—it’s a fundamental part of helping them grow up securely.

Educating your child about safety

Teaching autistic children about personal safety against sexual abuse means giving them specific information about what’s considered inappropriate behaviour. This education should cover:

• Recognising abusive behaviour: Children should learn to identify inappropriate or abusive behaviours.
• Understanding private parts and personal boundaries: It’s crucial to teach children about their bodies and their right to say no to anyone who tries to touch their private parts.
• Distinguishing between public and private behaviours: Autistic children need to know what’s acceptable in private versus public settings.
• Recognising unsafe situations: They should be able to understand when something feels wrong in social interactions.
• Saying 'no' assertively: Empowering children to say no to uncomfortable advances or requests without fear is a vital skill.

Tools for parents and caregivers

Talking to your child about sexual abuse is challenging, but it’s essential for their safety. Parents and caregivers can use various strategies to communicate about this sensitive topic effectively:

• Set clear rules about what’s inappropriate: For instance, explain that it’s not okay for anyone to ask the child to remove clothing or touch their private areas. Make it clear that doctors are the only exception, and only with parental consent.
• Discuss the concept of secrets: Teach children that it’s not okay for adults to ask them to keep secrets, especially if the secret involves something that makes them uncomfortable.
• Use visual aids and simple language: Breaking down complex ideas into clear, understandable concepts can help autistic children grasp the seriousness of sexual abuse.

Recognising signs of discomfort

Autistic children might express discomfort differently, so it’s important to help them recognise physical signs like a racing heart, feeling sick, or getting goosebumps. Teaching them to trust these signals and respond, like saying “no” when they’re uncomfortable, is crucial to their safety education.

Setting clear safety guidelines

Establishing clear guidelines about what’s unsafe is important for protecting children and teens. These might include:

• Avoiding isolated areas: Teach children that places with fewer people can be dangerous.
• Understanding adult interactions: Ensure children know that adults usually don’t ask kids for help with things like finding a lost dog or reaching high shelves. These requests should be directed to other adults.
• Staying in safe environments: encourage children to stay in familiar, public areas and always inform a trusted adult of their whereabouts.

What to do if you suspect or know a child has been abused

Child sexual abuse is a serious crime, and if you suspect that a child in your care is being abused or is in immediate danger, it’s crucial to act quickly.

If you believe a child has been abused, or even if you’re just suspicious due to changes in their behaviour, contact the authorities right away by dialling 000 for the police. It’s better to be cautious and consult with trained professionals to handle these situations.

For expert advice, you can contact the National Domestic Family and Sexual Violence Counselling Service by calling 1800RESPECT (1800 737 732). These professionals can guide you through the steps to ensure the child’s safety and well-being.

If there are physical signs of abuse, it’s essential to have the child examined by a medical professional who specialises in child sexual abuse. The police can help arrange this.

Finally, documenting what you observe can be incredibly valuable. Take notes on what the child has told you, any noticeable changes in their behaviour, interactions with the suspected abuser, and any other relevant observations. This information can be crucial for the authorities as they investigate and respond.