Fostering Children Autism Awareness Day

Long Term Foster Care Planning – Caring for Children with Autism

At Orchard Fostering, we have a number of families who provide long term foster care for children with Autism. With World Autism Awareness Day around the corner, we thought it was a good time to explore the topic of fostering children who have Autism. Read on to find out more about fostering and Autism.

If you’re interested in foster care, please reach out to Orchard Fostering today. We’re available on the phone or via email – you can also fill out a form directly on our contact page.

What is Autism and the Autism spectrum?

Autism is a complex neurological condition. A person with Autism will have a unique understanding of the world, different to those not on the Autism spectrum. This impacts the way in which people with Autism communicate, interact with and understand other people and the world. While this can prove challenging for those with Autism, it can also provide opportunities for strengths to emerge through divergent thinking.

You might have heard Autism described as a ‘spectrum.’ This stems from the idea that Autism impacts every person with Autism differently – with levels of experience ranging across a ‘spectrum’ of difference. While no two people with Autism are the same, the three major characteristics are atypical speech patterns, finding social scenarios challenging, and restrictive or repetitive behaviours.

Caring for children who have Autism

Caring for a child with Autism has been described by Foster Carers as a rewarding and loving experience. You experience the world through the child’s eyes, working with them to help them grow to their fullest potential. You can develop a bond through the obstacles you face together and via the joy experienced together. Pushing each other ever onward throughout your fostering journey. Caring for a child with Autism in can be a life-changing experience.

Of course, is not without its complexities. Much like any other foster placement, there are always likely to be bumps in the road and considerations to take into account. Let’s take a look at some helpful suggestions for caring for a child with Autism.

Ideas to help enhance a foster placement for a child with Autism

Children with Autism can find foster care difficult at first. Moving into a new place is likely to be confusing for anyone, but potentially more so for a hypersensitive child invested in the routine and rhythms of everyday life. The tips below can potentially help ease the stress of this transition for a child with Autism:

Be aware of their sensory triggers: Children with Autism can be hypersensitive to sound and stimulation, so make sure to limit exposure to triggering stimulation.
Make a sensory space: As we’ve covered before, allowing the child in your care their own space is essential. Make your child’s space Autism friendly by creating a sensory haven in their room.
Establish and maintain a routine: Consistency is key when caring for a child with Autism. Routine is a comfort for children with Autism, offering them a reassuring sense of calm consistency in a heady and full-on world. Try not to deviate from your routine – if you have to, make sure to discuss it with your child in advance.
Explore their interests: Children with Autism can become absorbed with specific interests. Encourage them to pursue these interests to the fullest extent.

Help and support for carers fostering children with Autism

Our best piece of advice, as always, is to look for help from those around you. There are lots of support groups out there for parents and Foster Carers of children with Autism – find the one nearest to you and join up. By sharing your experiences with those living similarly to you, you can find a way through even the most challenging day.

While there has been great progress made in Ireland when it comes to better understanding and respecting people with Autism, there remains a need to raise awareness of Autism and advocate for the rights of people with Autism. This stems from a lack of understanding of Autism that World Autism Awareness Day hopes to combat. Find out more about World Autism Awareness Day here.