Introduction:
Autism is a neurodevelopmental difference which impacts communication, the need for sameness, executive functioning and sensory processing. Autistic children may struggle to adjust to changes in routine, noisy environments and in attempting to communicate their needs. Some autistic children may be non-verbal, while others may find traditional styles of communication stressful or overwhelming. Such challenges and difficulties may culminate into challenging behaviour which threatens the safety of the child themselves, or other children and adults in that setting.

Objectives:
Change the environment, not the child. This presentation aims to examine the significance of creating supportive environments, identified as a key action area for health promotion by the World Health Organisation. By modifying the environment to be more conducive to the unique needs of the child, challenging behaviour can be reduced and the safety of the child and their peers enhanced. Across various settings from education to health and community settings, changing the environment to one which is in accommodating and inclusive of the autistic child’s needs, enhances their wellbeing and capacity to cope within environments which traditionally have been distressing.

Outcome:
Creating supportive environments for autistic children is communicating inclusion and promoting the wellbeing and safety of the child. Reducing noise levels or dimming bright lighting, can lessen sensory distress. While changing the methods of communication used, such as using text messaging or PECS, can reduce the social anxiety caused by verbal communication. Modifying environments based on the child’s individual and unique needs, can enhance their wellbeing and reduce levels of distress which culminate in to challenging behaviour. If the environment can be changed to decrease the challenges this creates for the autistic child, this approach should be prioritised.

Conclusion:
Creating supportive environments as an action area for health promotion, can be applied to supporting autistic children across a variety of settings. Modifying the communication, sensory, executive functioning and consistency factors which impact the child based on their unique needs, can improve outcomes in terms of challenging behaviour and consequently safety and wellbeing.

Keywords: Autism, Children, Autistic, Challenging Behaviour, Safety, Environments, Change.

Other info: University of Galway, Ireland