Fostering a Child or Young Person with Autism

Fostering a child or young person with autism can be a highly rewarding experience. A foster carer can help an autistic child or young person to reach their full potential and surpass developmental milestones.

This type of placement does present a unique set of challenges, however, according to The Fostering Network, 70% of foster children have special needs.* Despite the clear demand for disability foster carers, there is a shortage. Potential foster carers may be concerned about the commitment and challenges that can come with fostering a child or young person with a disability.

April is autism awareness month. Caring for a child with autism requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to learn about neurodiversity and the unique needs of each child.

Here are our top tips for fostering a child on the autism spectrum...

Learn More About Autism
The first step in fostering a child with autism is to educate yourself about the condition. Learning about the characteristics of autism can help you to understand how best to care for an autistic child or young person. Autism is on a spectrum and can therefore vary in severity. For example, some people with autism may be completely non-verbal, whereas others may have more subtle signs of the condition. It can also present differently in boys and girls. The defining characteristics tend to include underdeveloped social and communication skills, repetitive behaviour, and challenges with processing sensory information.

Create a Structured Environment
Routine is crucial to many people with autism, which can make the fostering process especially distressing for an autistic child or young person, who may have come from an already unstable background. Foster carers can help to make this transition smoother by creating a clear routine and a structured environment. This can include establishing routines and schedules for meals, bedtime, and other activities. You could use visual aids such as picture schedules and calendars to help the child or young person understand the daily routine.

Communicate Clearly
Children and young people with autism often have difficulty understanding social cues and facial expressions. Using clear and concise language when communicating with a foster child or young person can help them to make sense of the world. Try to avoid using sarcasm, figurative language, or ambiguous statements. You should also understand that they may struggle with small talk, empathising with other people’s emotions, and maintaining eye contact. Some people with autism may even be non-verbal, which requires a lot of attention, patience and continued understanding.

Create a Sensory Space
Some children and young people with autism can be sensitive to sensory input, such as noise, light, and touch. Creating a sensory room or a sensory space in the bedroom of a child or young person with sensory processing problems can provide calm, comfort and focus. The space could include weighted blankets, mood lighting and soothing sounds. This could provide a lot of comfort.

We’re here to help you support foster children with autism. With Olive Branch Fostering, you’ll receive thorough training, ample support, and a generous allowance to cover costs.

Could you provide a lifeline for a vulnerable child at their time of need? Are you ready to open your heart and home to a child who needs a fresh start and a safe space?

Start your application today with Olive Branch Fostering. Our friendly team are on hand to answer any questions you may have, as well as support you in starting your fostering journey.

To make a start, call us on 01706 558910 or contact us online and we’ll be in touch. There’s no obligation to go any further, and we’re happy to answer any questions you might have.

Read our previous blog to learn about your mental health as a foster carer.

*https://www.thefosteringnetwork.org.uk/blogs/foster-care-fortnight/caring-child-special-needs-saras-story