House Hunting and Moving With Your Child on the Autism Spectrum
When you have a child on the autism spectrum, house hunting can be challenging. As you relocate, you have to consider your child’s needs first, and your child may be stressed out by the changes in their daily life. However, with help from these tips, you’ll be putting an offer on the right house in no time!
Creating Your Budget
Before you officially begin house hunting, you need to figure out how much you can afford to spend on your down payment and monthly mortgage payments. Keep in mind that you may also have to factor in the costs of home modifications, depending on your child’s needs. As you crunch numbers, consider your annual income, your monthly expenses, the home prices in the area you plan to move to, and how much you expect to put towards your down payment.
Attend Viewings
Once you’ve determined your budget, it’s time to consider which features you will need in your home so that every room can be accessible for your child. Reviews recommend safety features like locks on kitchen appliances and cabinets, as well as innovations that will not overwhelm your child with sensory input, like dimmable lights. If your child has a preference for the texture of carpeting over hardwood floors, look for homes that already have carpeting. Chances are, you’ll be able to install most of these fixtures after moving in, so you’ll want to make sure that the home can accommodate these modifications.
Next, it’s time to enlist a knowledgeable real estate agent from CASTO Residential Realty who can help you find a home that suits all of your family’s requirements. They can go over listings with you and assist you in scheduling viewings at appropriate properties. When visiting a property, pay attention to the surrounding environment — you’ll want to choose a quiet block with low traffic for your child’s sake.
Prepare Your Home for Moving Day
It’s important to stop by your new home before your official move-in date to get it ready for your family’s arrival. After all, you want to ensure that your child with autism will feel safe and comfortable from the moment they arrive, making it easier for them to settle in. In addition to checking the locks, setting up a security system, and testing your smoke alarms, you’ll also want to deep clean the interior.
Make a Plan for Moving
Packing and hiring movers for moving day is crucial, and so is emotionally supporting your child. Routine is very important for children with autism, so before moving day arrives, you’ll need to prepare them for the transition. The Autism Blog recommends working with your child to make schedules of your upcoming days and showing them around the home and neighborhood before you move in. The right virtual activities can also keep your child occupied as you pack/unpack and settle in.
As the parent of a child with autism, you want them to be happy and healthy in their new home. Finding the right property and moving in can be difficult, but if you prepare accordingly, both are within your reach! With these tips, you and your family will soon be unpacking in your new home.
If you’re ready to move house, turn to CASTO Residential Realty to find the perfect property for your entire family. Reach out today to connect with one of our expert agents.
A special thank you to Jenny Wise, from Special Home Educator for the feature article. If you have questions for her regarding this article or it’s content, please reach her here.