Safety is often seen as a way to avoid harm, but it is much more than that. Safety is a cornerstone of physical health and emotional wellness, especially for people on the autism spectrum. It provides the foundation needed to navigate life’s challenges, build independence, and maintain a sense of security. When we teach safety in clear and accessible ways, we create opportunities for people with autism to thrive in healthier and more confident ways, improving both their physical and emotional well-being.
Safety and wellness are deeply connected. A lack of safety can lead to fear, anxiety, and stress, which have far-reaching impacts on emotional health. On the other hand, having the skills, tools, and support to stay safe promotes confidence, reduces stress, and allows people to engage more fully with their environment. Physical health also depends on safety, as it involves knowing how to avoid injuries, navigate emergencies, and access healthcare when needed. By embedding safety skills into everyday life, we can ensure that people with autism are equipped to protect their health and wellness across all stages of life.
While many people focus on teaching basic safety skills, like crossing the street or responding to fire alarms, there are other important areas of safety that are often overlooked. These include preventing injuries at home and understanding how to prepare for and respond in emergencies. Safety resources must be understandable, relevant, and functional to meet the unique needs of autistic people and others with disabilities. Accessible tools and practical guidance allow people with autism and their caregivers to build safety skills effectively and confidently. Addressing these less obvious areas of safety education is essential for promoting physical health, emotional readiness, and overall wellness across all stages of life.
Poison prevention, for example, is a critical area of safety education that is often overlooked. Teaching autistic people to recognize potentially harmful substances, such as cleaning products, medications, or certain plants, is essential for reducing risks at home. Emergency preparedness and response is another vital area of focus. Helping people with autism and their families prepare for emergencies can reduce stress and improve outcomes during unexpected events. By addressing these and other safety skills, safety education becomes a natural part of the tools that support physical health.
Sensory aspects of safety should not be forgotten for those on the spectrum. Many autistic people experience sensory differences or needs, which can make safety equipment like fire alarms, flashing lights, or medical masks overwhelming. Children’s Specialized Hospital, through partial funding from the Division of Disability Services, New Jersey Department of Human Services, has developed an educational video which provides guidance on supporting sensory and communication needs with sensory-communication kits. These kits include sensory tools and communication aids that can help autistic people and others with sensory or communication differences during stressful situations, such as emergencies or medical visits. The video incorporates evidence-based strategies. This resource is available for anyone and is particularly valuable for emergency responders, healthcare providers, educators, and caregivers. By equipping those who support autistic people with the knowledge and tools to address sensory needs, the kits help ensure that sensory challenges are addressed in ways that enhance physical well-being and overall health. Supporting sensory needs in this way reduces stress, improves outcomes in emergency and healthcare situations, and promotes wellness by creating safer and more inclusive environments.
As children grow older, their safety needs become more complex. Cyber safety, for instance, becomes increasingly important. Autistic teens and adults need to learn how to recognize online threats, avoid scams, and set boundaries in digital spaces. Community safety is another crucial topic, as it involves navigating unfamiliar places, using public transportation, and identifying safe people or locations if they feel lost or overwhelmed. These skills not only protect autistic people but also empower them to engage more independently with their communities.
Safety education should start early and evolve throughout a person’s life. For young children, safety lessons may focus on simple but essential skills, such as recognizing danger, finding a trusted adult, and following routines like crossing the street. Visual supports and picture stories can make these lessons easier to understand and practice. As teens, safety education might expand to include skills like staying safe online, managing peer pressure, and navigating public spaces. For adolescents and adults, safety education could include understanding how to interact with emergency responders, preparing for emergencies, or preventing injuries at home. Each stage of life builds on the skills learned before, helping autistic people grow more confident and capable over time.
Schools are uniquely positioned to connect safety education with health and wellness. By including safety lessons in health programs, schools can familiarize and build safety skills. Using accessible, relevant, and functional resources along with interactive methods like role-playing, hands-on activities, and real-life applications can help students understand and apply what they learn. Schools can also collaborate with families and community organizations to reinforce these lessons outside the classroom, generalizing these skills and ensuring consistent learning and practice across different environments.
Health care providers and therapists also play a critical role in safety education. They can teach people with autism how to prepare for medical visits, understand health procedures, and respond calmly in emergencies. Therapists might use visual schedules to help autistic people rehearse emergency drills, practice fire escape routes, or build coping strategies for unexpected situations. By incorporating safety into their work, health care professionals support not only the physical health but also the emotional well-being of autistic people and their families.
Safety is not just about avoiding harm. It’s about empowering autistic people to live healthier and more independent lives. Comprehensive, accessible safety education gives people the tools to manage risks, build confidence, and engage fully in their communities. Families, caregivers, educators, and professionals all have an important role in making safety a part of everyday life. By working together, we can create environments where autistic people feel supported, secure, and prepared to meet challenges.
To learn more about safety resources and strategies, visit the Living Safely with Disabilities and Special Health Needs Online Center for Safety at rwjbh.org/cshlivingsafely. This resource provides practical tools and guidance for people of all ages and abilities.
Adrienne Robertiello, BS, ACDS, is the Interim Autism Program Coordinator and Specialized Health Care Educator at Children’s Specialized Hospital. She can be reached at arobertiello@childrens-specialized.org or 908-233-3720, extension 52481.
