As a behavior analysts who's worked in the field of aba for over 15 years, I've had the opportunity to teach autistic kiddos various different safety routines. In my opinion, safety is one of the most important skills to teach. Autistic kids may struggle with social awareness, leaving them vulnerable to dangers like wandering, strangers, or unsafe situations.. Teaching safety life skills to autistic children is crucial because these skills help protect them from harm and empower them to navigate the world more independently.
I've curated this list to bring awareness to different safety skills that we as caregivers or professionals may overlook, especially as a child get's older or new skills are blossoming. It's also important to individualize teaching these skills to how the child learns best.
With my learners, I introduce different modalities of teaching which include:
- An introduction of the safety skill discussing what the skill is and why it's important and breaking it down what to do in that certain situation. I usually create visuals or slide, individualized to each child.
- Video models depicting the safety skills being done by other people. I LOVE https://everydayspeech.com/ for video models. You can also find great safety video models on Youtube.
- Role playing is one of my favorite parts of teaching safety skills! I make it clear what we will be practicing, using the language the the child is most receptive to (i.e. "This is just pretend!"). It's also great to include multiple people and to practice the skills in different settings to help with generalization.
- After success with role playing, now it's time to practice the skill out in the community, or practice the skill the best that we can while still maintaining the safety of the child. For example, you don't need your learner to actually get lost in the store for them to practice asking for help. You can speak with a store employee ahead of time and let them know that you're practicing a skill and ask if they'd be okay with participating. As well as have an additional person with the child to keep an eye on the child and prompt when necessary.
With that said, here is a list of important safety skills to teach. If you have any other skills you'd like to add, please feel free to comment below!
1. Stranger Safety
- "No, Go, Yell, Tell": Teach children to say "No," run away, yell loudly, and tell a trusted adult if approached by a stranger.
- Practice identifying trusted adults versus strangers using photos or role-play scenarios.
- Explain safe behavior with strangers (e.g., not accepting gifts or going anywhere without permission).
2. Calling 911
- Teach the purpose of 911 (emergency only).
- Role-play how to dial 911 and answer basic questions (e.g., their name, location, and what’s wrong).
- Use a visual aids
3. Road and Traffic Safety
- Practice looking both ways before crossing the street using a stop-and-go game.
- Teach the meaning of traffic signals and crosswalk signs.
- Explain safe behavior near vehicles (e.g., staying on the sidewalk).
- I LOVE this video that I found on youtube for video modeling. I've also created a visual print out and slides here that go along with this lesson.
4. Fire Safety
- Teach "Stop, Drop, and Roll" for clothing fires.
- Create and practice a family fire escape plan with visual supports.
- Explain the sound of smoke alarms and practice how to react (e.g., stay low, exit quickly).
5. Personal Boundaries and Consent
- Teach safe vs. unsafe touches.
- Practice how to say "no" firmly and report uncomfortable situations to a trusted adult.
6. Water Safety
- Reinforce the importance of adult supervision during swimming.
- Teach rules like no running near pools and never entering water alone.
- Practice floating or basic water safety skills if possible.
7. Lost and Found Safety
- Teach children to find "safe helpers" like police officers, store employees, or a parent with kids if they’re lost.
- Role-play how to give their name, a parent’s name, and phone number.
- Use wearable ID tags or bracelets with their emergency information. Here is a link to a personalizable silicone bracelet that can include important identifying information
8. Internet Safety
- Teach them to avoid sharing personal information online.
- Role-play recognizing and reporting inappropriate online messages or behaviors.
- Use visuals or apps that make internet safety lessons interactive and engaging.
9. Handling Bullying or Peer Pressure
- Practice assertive responses to bullying through role-play.
- Teach strategies for seeking help from adults in tough situations.
- Use social narratives to reinforce coping mechanisms for peer pressure.
10. Medication and Household Safety
- Teach them not to touch or consume unknown substances or medications.
- Use visual reminders about dangerous items (e.g., cleaning supplies, knives).
I hope you enjoy this list! If you are part of our email list, I uploade free activities and resources for safety routines regularly.
*** I earn a small compensation for items purchased through the amazon affiliate links ***