How to Assist Your Autistic Child to Get Into the National Day Spirit

The 31st of August is a date many Malaysians look up to: it's the national day! On this day, many Malaysians will find ways to celebrate the country's independence. There are many ways for us to celebrate this event, but on usual occasions, we tend to celebrate it loudly. Some of us who have the chance may attend the Merdeka parade at Dataran Merdeka. Some may enjoy the fireworks at midnight, while some may choose to simply rest at home. Though all of this may sound exciting to us, it's not so much for children with autism. In fact, it may even feel like a nightmare for them. Here's how you can assist your autistic child to get into the National Day spirit, without any stress. No Overstimulation, Please When we imagine fireworks at night, we may think of bright colours and loud pops of them in the air. When we think of attending the Merdeka parade, we may think of a wave of crowd of people under the hot sun. And when we think of a restaurant, we may think the noisiness from the people coming and out as they dine. Though some may think it's not that big of a deal, it may be different for people on the spectrum. Autistic children, for example, may not favour these types of environments. When it gets too much of everything, they may get sensory hypersensitivity, which is when they feel overwhelmed and get stressed or uncomfortable. As parents, there are ways we can aid them in such situations. You may provide them headphones or ear plugs if they are comfortable with them. This can help to block out all the noise. And if they like to play with fidget toys, you may bring some of their favourite toys along in a small backpack. So when they get bored, you may hand these to them whenever they want. But make sure that they're completely fine in going to the places. Ask them whether they're okay to go there and explain briefly what the place is about. Ensure this by telling them that the place may get noisy, crowded, or any other things that your child doesn't favour. Safe Quiet Places If your child isn't interested in noisy or crowded places, fret not. There are many alternatives that you may find to entertain yourselves. Places like lake parks or museums are a great example. When you attend a lake park, you'll find yourself being with other families being there, too. Though this may sound a bit overwhelming, it's different since your child may also have a lot of room to roam around. And since parks are usually huge in size, your family have the freedom to go wherever you want. In a capital like Kuala Lumpur, you'll find yourself an array of parks you want to attend. But before heading off, consider a few things first. For example, is it sensory-friendly? Next, what about museums? Though museums may be autism-friendly since they're not usually noisy or crowded, it may not be very appealing to some. Depending on your child, the museum can either be the best or the worst. If they're interested in observing new things or are interested in history or the like, then it may be the perfect match for your family to attend the museum. Not only can it appease your child in the artifacts, you may also teach them a thing or two about Malaysia's history of independence. But if your child isn't the one to observe places around, or are interested in museums, then it's better to go to a different quiet place. Sightsee the Animals What day isn't fun when visiting the zoo or an indoor aquarium? When you envision a visit to the zoo, you may think the fun of sightseeing the various animals that are available there. And when you envision an indoor aquarium, you may envision many types of aquatic animals you may not often see. Aside from the fun of visiting the animals, you may have the chance of teaching your child about them too. You may bring along your child's favourite picture books and point out which animals are which. It may not feel very novel to you, but it's always interesting for your child. Not only that, it's stated that animals are great for autistic children. This is because they have a comforting presence. Due to this, they're able to reduce stress and anxiety. And at the zoo, you may also have the chance of feeding animals at the petting zoo. But since these two places may get noisy and crowded, attend them with caution. Fun Everywhere for Everyone By following some of these suggestions, we hope you and your little ones have a wonderful and stress-free National Day celebration, parents! Happy National Day with love from all of us at Motherhood.com.my! Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for informational purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice from Motherhood. For any health-related concerns, it is advisable to consult with a qualified healthcare professional or medical practitioner. For more insightful stories and fun recipes, stay tuned to Motherhood Story!

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