Next time you are in your kitchen, sit down on the floor and put yourself at the same eye level as your child. Now imagine you are hungry. What do you see? What do you smell? Where are the dishes, snacks, water?
On one hand we desperately want our Autistic child to gain as much independence as possible and on the other hand, we sometimes overlook simple accommodations to help them achieve this. Looking at a room in your house or a daily activity from the eye level perspective of your child will give you ideas for adapting the environment.
Let’s start with the kitchen. Find a cupboard or deep drawer that can be just for them. Place everything they need including dishes, snacks, place mats, silverware, napkins, etc. For safety purposes, give them plastic dishes and glasses. Make sure the cupboard or drawer has a nice large handle so they can easily open and close. You can also store things in this spot for chores they do in the kitchen such as an apron for doing dishes, a cutting board, sponges for cleaning the table, etc.
In the refrigerator, find a special shelf, drawer or spot that has things they use most often. Find mini pitchers for juice or milk that are manageable for them to pour from. A step stool may also be useful if they like to help prepare dinner or want to see what you are doing in the kitchen.
For highly visual children, they often want what they can see. If you have a box of cereal in sight they will want it. Pay attention to what you are tempting them with visually in your kitchen. Set a fruit bowl on your dining room table and bowl with different vegetables in your refrigerator to visually reinforce the foods you do want them to have. If they like a fruit or vegetable, make every effort to have it available.
Below is a list of items that could be included in this special space:
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Plastic plates
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Small plastic bowls
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Plastic cereal bowls
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Silverware
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Place mat
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Plastic cups
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Napkins or lower the paper towel holder
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Salt or sugar bowl
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Apron
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Sponge
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Plastic storage dishes with snacks
It is important to teach the child to keep this area organized and clean. They should feel free to get their own things to set the table and put them away when they are cleaned.
