Living independently can be challenging for autistic people, but assistive technology and smart home automation offer a lifeline to greater freedom. These advanced systems, from smart lighting and digital door locks to voice-activated assistants, create a safe and manageable environment tailored to the unique needs of the NDIS participant. By simplifying daily tasks and providing constant support, smart home technology empowers autistic individuals to live more confidently and comfortably in their own homes.
We’ve seen how smart home devices can make a big difference for autistic people living at home. These tools help them handle their daily lives on their own, giving them a strong sense of confidence and independence.
Through this article, we aim to show how assistive technology in the home is transforming lives in ways you might not have imagined. To illustrate, we’ll look at Charlie, a 30-year-old man with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Living independently at home means everything to Charlie. He’s embraced the benefits of assistive tech to manage daily tasks and create a safe environment for himself. Let’s take a look at the smart home devices with the greatest potential to be transformational.
We’ve also listed the many ways assistive technology can help parents of autistic children, create a safe, calm and sensory-friendly home environment. Scroll to the bottom of the article for these smart home device solutions.
Before we get going, here are some helpful resources on Assistive Technology and ASD:
- For the official definition of assistive technology according to the Australian Government, refer to the NDIS website at this page Assistive Technology Guideline.
- Check out these incredible organisations providing support and information for autistic people and their carers:
Autism Awareness Australia
Aspect
Autism QLD
NDIS
We’ve installed these smart home devices in autistic people’s homes
Our experience installing assistive technology in the homes of NDIS participants includes these smart home devices. We’ll cover each one in more detail below, so you can see the difference they can make.
- Smart door locks
- Video camera doorbells
- CCTV and wireless security cameras
- Smart lighting
- Smart home assistants
- Smart garage and gate openers
- Smart air conditioner or smart aircon controller
For autistic people what benefits does a smart door lock offer?
A smart digital door lock can greatly enhance the security and ease of access to Charlie’s home. Traditional locks can be tricky to use, especially when dealing with keys. A smart lock lets Charlie unlock his door with a fingerprint, smartphone, smartwatch, or a code. Install a smart home assistant and convenience is taken to the next level. Now Charlie can easily see who it is at the front door and with a voice command, open it without making a move.
For the NDIS participant, in this case Charlie, a smart door lock eliminates the need for keys, reducing the hassle and potential anxiety associated with them. Charlie can manage his lock remotely, ensuring his home is secure even when he’s away. He doesn’t need to hide a spare key outside the home, making it easy for potential intruders to find. And the ability to grant access to trusted visitors or caregivers without being present at the door, further supports his need for routine and predictability, enhancing both his independence and security.
How can smart lighting improve predictability at home for autistic people?
For autistic people, a predictable and controlled environment is essential. Smart lighting systems can be personalised to meet specific needs, reducing anxiety and enhancing comfort.
Motion-activated lights ensure Charlie’s path is always well-lit, minimising the risk of tripping and preventing sudden, jarring changes in lighting that could cause stress. Voice-controlled lighting allows him to adjust brightness and ambiance easily, creating a calming atmosphere tailored to his preferences. These systems provide not only safety and convenience, but also support Charlie’s need for routine and predictability, helping him feel more in control and comfortable in his home.
For autistic people, a smart video doorbell reduces uncertainty and provides safety
A smart video camera doorbell can transform how Charlie manages home security and interactions at his front door. Instead of the uncertainty that comes with traditional doorbells, a smart video doorbell allows Charlie to see and speak with visitors through his smartphone, smart watch or tablet. And just like the smart door lock, with a smart home assistant in use, like Google Home or Amazon Alexa, the video doorbell can be operated by voice.
This assistive technology reduces anxiety by letting Charlie verify who is at the door before answering. With instant notifications, Charlie can handle deliveries or communicate with guests without needing to hurry to the door. This not only supports his need for routine and predictability, but also boosts his independence and overall safety.
The ability to review past recordings adds another layer of security, especially for those caring for Charlie. Carers or family members can see who has visited the home, providing valuable insight into the visit history. This feature is particularly useful in various situations, helping ensure Charlie’s safety and well-being.
How a smart garage door or gate opener provides independence for autistic people
A smart garage door or front gate opener can greatly simplify Charlie’s daily routine. This assistive technology allows him to manage the garage door or gate using his smartphone or voice commands (when integrated with a smart home assistant), which helps reduce the stress and complexity of manual operation.
For Charlie, who values predictability and routine, this means he can ensure the garage is securely closed without needing to physically check it. He can also open the door for visitors or caregivers remotely, fitting seamlessly into his established routines. This setup minimises the effort required to handle these tasks and supports Charlie’s need for consistency, making it easier for him to stay independent and manage his home effectively.
A smart aircon for a comfortable home environment
Installing a smart air conditioner at home brings significant benefits to the NDIS participant. For autistic people, maintaining a consistent and comfortable temperature is crucial for reducing sensory stress. A smart thermostat allows Charlie to control the temperature easily through his smartphone or voice commands, ensuring his home environment is always just right. This technology also helps automate temperature adjustments, so Charlie doesn’t have to worry about making constant changes, providing him with a more predictable and calming living space.
We can either install a completely new smart aircon split system or upgrade your existing split system with a smart infrared remote. Retrofitting your existing split system is the economical way to take advantage of the latest technology without a new installation.
If you’re considering a new air conditioning system, we offer state-of-the-art smart aircon split systems for as many rooms as you need. Our top-tier models come packed with features, allowing you to control the heating and cooling of your home from an app, no matter where you are. This advanced control system ensures high efficiency, reducing unnecessary costs often linked with traditional aircon systems.
Just schedule a free quote with us and we can discuss the options available to you or the person under your care.
A smart home assistant for easy management through a single app
Installing a smart home assistant can make Charlie’s life easier by providing hands-free control of his home environment, reducing sensory stress and enhancing his daily routines with automated tasks and reminders.
Through voice commands, Charlie can manage visitors at the front door, control his lighting and aircon in every room, ensure his home is secure every night and even request his smart assistant keep him on schedule with his daily tasks. It’s assistive tech bringing a high degree of predictability to those who thrive in a controlled environment.
We’ve installed and integrated all of the major brands including Google Home, Amazon Alexa and Apple Home.
For more on the benefits a smart home assistant delivers to the NDIS participant, refer to our article – Smart Home Assistants: Streamlining Life for NDIS Participants.
A day in the life of Charlie with the help of Assistive Technology
Let’s see the practical application of assistive technology by stepping through the everyday tasks autistic people, like Charlie, might experience. To live at home independently and confidently he’s installed the following smart devices, as a fully integrated home system:
– Smart door lock
– Video camera doorbell
– Front gate opener
– Wireless security camera on the exterior
– Smart lighting
– Smart aircon upgrade
– Smart home assistant
7:00 AM
Charlie’s alarm, as set on his smart home assistant, plays a calming sound to wake him up. During the darker days of winter, the smart lighting has been programmed to switch on at a set time and his smart aircon thermostat adjusts the temperature to ensure his room is comfortable.
7:10 AM
Using a voice command, Charlie asks his smart home assistant to start his morning routine. He requests his favourite morning playlist and the smart home assistant provides the weather forecast, helping him choose the right clothes.
8:30 AM
The smart home assistant reminds Charlie he has a dentist appointment. He calls an uber to pick him up in 30 mins. Five mins before it’s arrival, the smart home assistant reminds him to be ready.
9:00 AM
The video doorbell alerts Charlie that the uber has arrived. He checks the video doorbell live feed on his smart watch, ensuring it is the driver. The digital door lock has been set to lock automatically when he leaves, but he also checks its status on his phone, just to be sure. And he does the same with his front gate. If any lights were on, after a set time, the smart lighting system detects no motion and switch off automatically, saving on his energy costs.
10:30 AM
Returning home, Charlie opens the front gate with the app, before getting out of the uber. By the time he gets to the front gate it has opened for him. Same with the front door, which he opened by touching the app on his smart watch. As he enters the house, the smart lights in the hallway detect his motion and turn on automatically to provide a well-lit path. The smart door locks automatically behind him to provide security.
12:30 PM
It’s lunchtime. Charlie enjoys trying out new recipes and he’s decided to make a pasta dish for lunch. He asks the smart home assistant to give him a recipe, using the ingredients he has on hand. To cook the pasta for the right amount of time, he again asks the smart home assistant to set the timer for 11 mins.
2:00 PM
Charlie’s carer arrives for their scheduled weekly visit. Charlie trusts this visitor so he granted them an access code to the smart door lock, to allow an easy entry when they arrive. Charlie gets an alert to their arrival but he doesn’t need to answer the door.
4:00 PM
Charlie receives a reminder from the smart home assistant to do his meditation. His therapist created a calming meditation routine for him to follow every day at this time. The smart home assistant automatically starts the program at the scheduled time.
6:00 PM
The smart lighting system adjusts the brightness of the indoor lights as night time approaches. Charlie has learnt that bright lights at night time keep him alert and anxious whereas a subtle red light helps him better prepare for sleep. For this reason his smart lighting system includes smart bulbs, allowing him to choose the ideal red hue for night time that still ensures he can safely see.
6:30 PM
Charlie has invited his cousin over for dinner. They’re doing takeaway so no need to cook. When his cousin arrives at the front gate, he receives notification on his smartphone. He commands the smart home assistant to open the front gate and also the front door so his cousin can enter without needing to physically open either one. They enjoy dinner together and Charlie uses the smart home assistant to play soft background music.
9:00 PM
It’s time for bed. With a simple request of the smart home assistant, Charlie is able to turn off the lights in the living room and kitchen and turn on the lights in the bedroom and bathroom.
9:30 PM
Before going to sleep, Charlie quickly checks his smart phone app to confirm the front door and front gate are locked and all the lights are off. The smart aircon has been programmed to adjust automatically to a cooler temperature for a comfortable night’s rest.
This is assistive technology making life at home for autistic people achievable.
How assistive technology is aiding autistic children in daily home life
Smart home devices can be incredibly beneficial for parents of an autistic child, providing support and enhancing daily routines. Here are some ways these assistive tech devices can help create an ideal home environment for an autistic child.
- Smart lighting, with easy adjustment of brightness and colour changes, can create a soothing environment and reduce sensory overload.
- Smart door locks send an instant alert if the front door is opened, adding an extra layer of home safety and security.
- A smart home assistant can automate reminders for medications, appointments and daily tasks, helping to maintain a structured routine, crucial for an autistic child’s well-being. It can also be used as a therapeutic tool, playing soothing music or calming sounds to create a peaceful environment, read stories or provide guided meditation sessions to help the child relax.
- Wireless cameras allow parents to monitor their child’s activities from another room, ensuring safety without being intrusive. They can also be installed in rooms that pose potential safety risks, providing real-time alerts if the child enters these danger zones.
- Autistic children, who are sensitive to temperature changes, benefit from a smart air conditioner that maintains a consistent room temperature.
For more information, please refer to our in-depth article on Assistive Technology for families with autistic children.
Smarter Homes Australia empowers NDIS participants be independent
It’s a privilege to enhance the lives of many through the installation of assistive technology in homes. Daily we are given access to NDIS participants’ homes and lives and it’s a service we hope to continue providing for years ahead. We look forward to extending these benefits to you or the person under your care.
Like to learn more about the best assistive technology solutions for your home, take advantage of our free quote offer. We’ll visit your home, evaluate the situation, and provide you with a personalised plan for your consideration. Please contact us and schedule your free quote or installation today.
Autism and Assistive Technology FAQs
- Do you work with NDIS participants?
Yes we do, all the time. Refer to our specific guide to NDIS participants for more information.
- Do you work with NDIS participants outside of SE Qld?
No unfortunately we don’t. We only service South-East Queensland for installation, however we can provide products-only through our Smarter Store.
- How do I know what Assistive Technology is funded through NDIS?
As a starting point, check out the NDIS website information provided at this address – What assistive technology do we fund? Or ask your Plan Manager, Support Worker or Occupational Therapist who should have the experience to answer your specific questions. At Smarter Homes Australia we currently support all NDIS participants who are plan and self-managed with their funding, however we cannot provide the approval that is required from your support team.
- What are the next steps and how do I arrange a quote?
After taking a look at the services we offer, simply fill out the contact form on our website and let us know what you’re interested in. From there our team can provide you with an in-person or online quote to discuss further with your support team.
