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House Hunting Tips While Keeping Your Special Needs Child Calm
House hunting can be stressful, especially if you’ve been on the lookout for a while. Having to cater to a child with autism can make it seem like you have even less time to focus on the finer details of finding the perfect home for you and your family. To help the process feel more joyful than woeful, here’s how to stay organized and ensure you and your child are more prepared for this event, courtesy of Aimee Art Productions.
Prepare Them for the Move
No one likes to be surprised by sudden news they weren’t expecting; children are no different. For kids with autism, moving somewhere new can be a change that is difficult to comprehend. Hence, the need for ample preparation beforehand so that they can come to terms with this significant event in their own time. Being extra patient with them during this process and explaining in detail what is to come should help them mentally as they work around ways to adapt to this change independently.
Choose the Right Location
Choosing a property in the right location will be absolutely critical, especially if your child is in need of specific medical and therapy assistance. Knowing this, it may take some time to find an area that has everything you want that is also going to accommodate your child’s needs. Renting an apartment might be a good idea if you are not 100% certain about an area. From a financial standpoint, you also don’t have to feel pressured about putting down a down payment if you can’t afford to right now.
Online listings are useful if you don’t have the time to go and see each and every potential property that catches your eye. What’s more, you can filter down to the specific requirements you are looking for in terms of the number of bedrooms, bathrooms, garden space, etc., you need. You may even be able to do a virtual tour of it all without needing to physically go there at first.
Making Sure the Move is Stress-Free
Taking care of the moving process by hiring a moving company that takes their job seriously is vital because you don’t want to be worrying about your belongings in addition to caring for your special needs child. And once you get settled in your new place, do what you can to make it an oasis of calm through diet and exercise, as well as being as positive as possible.
To ensure a stress-free move, start by creating a detailed checklist of tasks to be completed, which helps in tracking your progress and staying organized. Begin packing early, focusing on one room at a time, and clearly label each box with its contents and the room it belongs to, simplifying the unpacking process. It’s also helpful to declutter and donate items you no longer need before the move, reducing the volume of possessions to transport.
Cleaning Up
Deep cleaning your house before moving out is not only considerate but often a requirement in rental agreements or for preparing your home for sale. This process involves thoroughly cleaning every nook and cranny, ensuring that the space is left in excellent condition for the next occupants. Key tasks include dusting all surfaces, cleaning windows and fixtures, and ensuring kitchens and bathrooms are spotless.
Properly vacuuming all floors and carpets is crucial, as it removes dirt, dust, and small debris, leaving the floors in pristine condition. Paying attention to often overlooked areas like baseboards, inside cabinets, and appliances can make a significant difference in the overall cleanliness. A deep clean not only helps in getting back your deposit or enhancing the home’s appeal to buyers but also provides a sense of closure as you transition to your new home.
Keeping Memories
Using a free online tool to create a collage poster is a wonderful way to preserve and display memories of your old house as you transition to a new home. These tools offer a user-friendly platform where you can make your own poster, combining various photographs and memories into a single, visually appealing design. You can upload images of special moments, favorite rooms, or unique features of your old house, arranging them artistically to capture the essence of your previous home.
This personalized poster can then be printed and brought to your new home, serving as a sentimental piece of decor that keeps the memories alive. Not only does it add a personal touch to your new space, but it also helps bridge the transition, making the new environment feel more familiar and comforting for you and your child.
Plan for Home Upgrades
Once you’ve settled on a property, you may also have to think about upgrades that you can do to the home that can accommodate your child’s sensory needs. This may include soundproofing their room, ensuring the home is secure, creating a safe space for them to play in, decorating with muted colors and warm lighting, etc.
Enjoy the Outdoors
Children with autism tend to find nature calming and therapeutic. Try introducing your little one to the backyard or front yard as soon as possible so that she can find something environmental to connect to. Moreover, investing in backyard play equipment, such as a swing, can help to calm her mind as she focuses on the swaying motion as she swings back and forth.
And there you have it; these moving tips should help any parent with an autistic child, or any child for that matter, as they brace for the unknown. Making sure you don’t have to worry about property and property down payments should also help, especially if you can find a rental that can meet your and your child’s immediate needs in the meantime.
