In a home where a child has autism, safety isn’t just a concern – it’s a constant worry. Smart home devices can change that. They bring control where things often feel out of control. A digital door lock keeps the child from wandering off. A video doorbell means you don’t have to check the front door while leaving your child unattended. Wireless or wired cameras outside keep the house safe and are useful when installed inside, as an extra set of eyes. Smart home devices don’t just add safety – they give parents peace of mind. A safer home makes life a little easier for everyone.
This article aims to present the benefits of assistive technology in the home where an autistic child resides. To bring this to life we’ll introduce Olivia, a young child cared for by her parents in their Brisbane home. With the assistance of the NDIS program, they were able to make upgrades to their home, making it safer and easier to manage with certain assistive technology devices. In particular, the smart home devices installed included a video camera doorbell, wireless security cameras inside and outside, a digital door lock, smart lighting and upgrading the aircon to a smart air conditioner. Install a smart home assistant and all these devices operate from a single app, simplifying control and management.
Now let’s dig deeper into the value these tools deliver to the home of an autistic child.
Firstly, some resources that might be helpful when approaching ASD, Assistive Technology and the NDIS:
- 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
Why install smart home devices in a home of an autistic child?
A child with autism needs a safe space. But keeping that space safe isn’t always easy. Doors left unlocked, visitors at random hours, moments when your child is out of sight – these are everyday worries. Smart home devices step in where human hands can’t always be. A digital door lock means the front door stays shut, no matter what. A video doorbell means you don’t have to attend to the front door, rather you can check who’s there without leaving sight of your child. Cameras inside a home aren’t to spy, rather to keep a watchful eye over your child as they learn to play independently.
These devices don’t just add layers of protection, they bring calm to the home. For an autistic child and their parents, familiar routines and a sense of security are everything. When the home is secure, you feel safe and the child senses the same feeling. With smart home devices, you’re not just buying technology installations, you’re buying peace of mind. In a world where everyday activities can be a danger, assistive technology tools help you keep the things that matter most safe and sound.
How does a digital door lock keep an autistic child safe?
A digital door lock keeps what’s outside from coming in and can support you in keeping your children safe and inside the home. An autistic child who might wander without warning can be extremely dangerous and stressful for parents and carers.. It can be easy to forget to lock a regular door, but a digital lock doesn’t forget. It automatically locks and stays locked until you decide otherwise. This management feature is fully remote, giving you the control of the door from anywhere.
This kind of control means your child stays safe inside the home. No slipping out unnoticed, no chance of wandering into danger. It’s not just a lock, it’s a line of defence. And for parents, it’s one less thing to worry about. You know your child is where they need to be, safe and sound, without the fear of them walking out into the unknown.
That’s why this smart home device is a favourite in homes where the child’s safety can be at risk. We’ve installed the smart door lock on not just the front door, but side doors as well, to ensure every entry and exit point has the same automatic locking safety feature.
Olivia, the focus of our case study, is an autistic child with a strong curiosity for exploring. As she grows older, her urge to venture beyond the safety of her home increases. This poses a significant challenge for her parents, who can’t keep an eye on her every moment of the day. With a digital door lock in place, if Olivia tries to leave the house without warning, an alert is instantly sent to a smartphone. Her parents can immediately check on her before she gets too far. This quick response brings them relief and confidence, knowing they can act in real-time to keep Olivia safe.
What role do security cameras play in keeping an autistic child safe?
How is a video doorbell helpful at the home of an autistic child?
A video doorbell adds an extra layer of security for a home with an autistic child. It lets you see who’s at the door without needing to open it. For a child with autism, unexpected visitors can be overwhelming or even frightening. With a video doorbell, you can manage who gets close to your home. It gives you control over interactions, helping to maintain the calm and routine that your child needs.
But the benefits go beyond just seeing who’s there. The video doorbell also records activity at your doorstep, so you can review any unusual behaviour or keep an eye on packages left outside. For a child who might be curious or easily startled by sudden noises, this device allows you to manage their environment more effectively. It’s about creating a safe, predictable space where your child feels secure, and you have the peace of mind knowing who’s approaching your home.
It also saves you from having to answer the door physically, which could mean leaving your child alone unattended. When someone arrives at your doorstep, you’re sent a notification to your smartphone or smartwatch. Without having to leave your child, you can interact with your visitor remotely. It’s a convenience and safety feature in one. Imagine you’re in the middle of an activity with your child, you can continue without interruption with the help of a video doorbell. Stay focused on your child, giving them your undivided attention when they need it most.
Smart lighting sets the right environment for an autistic child
Smart lighting helps maintain a calm environment for an autistic child. Bright lights can be too much, and sudden changes can be unsettling. With smart lighting, you can set the lights just right, dimming them when needed or softening the colour to make things easier. You can even set a schedule so the lights change slowly, without any surprises. This helps create a safe and comfortable space, making the home feel more secure for your autistic child.
A smart home assistant unites all the devices into a single point of control
The final device that transforms your home into a smart home, is the smart home assistant. The most popular of these being Google Home, Amazon Alexa, and Apple Home. We have experience installing any of these brands into many homes in Brisbane and around SE Qld. If you don’t already have a preference, we can discuss the options and help you determine the best one based on your needs.
We’ve found a smart home assistant is a tool that makes the life of the parent with an autistic child easier, by taking some of the daily pressure off. It can manage routines, set reminders, and controls the other smart home devices installed, all with simple voice commands. This means parents can focus more on their child and less on managing the house. Whether it’s turning down the lights for bedtime, playing soothing music, or locking the front door, the smart home assistant handles it all, at the command of the parent. It’s like having an extra set of hands, helping to create a calm and organised environment where the child can thrive and the parent can breathe a little easier.
Creating a comfortable environment for your autistic child is easy with a smart aircon
A smart air conditioner helps create a stable environment for an autistic child. Temperature changes can be unsettling, and a smart aircon keeps the home at just the right temperature all the time. Whether it’s adjusting for the heat of the day or cooling things down at night, the smart aircon does the work automatically, so your child stays comfortable without the need for constant manual adjustments.
There are two options available when installing a smart aircon. If you already have a split system we can upgrade it to a smart aircon quickly and simply. The model of device we install is compatible with most current split aircon systems. Or if you’re looking to install a new air conditioner, we can help you with that too. We can supply and install a cost-effective, state-of-the-art split aircon system into almost any room in your house. The beauty of this system is no matter how many units are installed, we connect them as a system allowing you to operate it all with a single app.
Just schedule a free quote with us and we can discuss the options available to your family or the person under your care.
A day in the life of Olivia with the help of Assistive Technology
Let’s see the practical application of assistive technology by stepping through the everyday tasks a family with a young autistic child, like Olivia, might encounter. We’ll imagine it’s a weekend when Olivia and her parents are together all day.
7:00 AM
Olivia’s parents check the security camera feed to see if she is awake.
9:00 AM
Olivia does swimming lessons at the local pool on Saturday mornings. Together with her mother they exit the house via the front door. Because it’s a smart door lock, it locks automatically after them. Without further consideration, the house is secure.
11:00 AM
After the swimming lesson, Olivia and her mother return home. They’ll spend most of the day from now on at home. Olivia wants to do some sewing, one of her favourite hobbies. Her sewing equipment is in her play room where a wireless video camera has been installed as a way to check in without disturbing her. Every 10 mins or so her mother checks the live stream on her app and sees Olivia is fully focused and safe.
3:30 PM
Olivia’s grandmother lives nearby and regularly comes over to visit. She’s been given a code for the digital door lock and can enter without anyone needing to open the door. Olivia’s mother also receives an alert when the video doorbell detects her mother has arrived at the front door.
5:30 PM
On Saturday nights the family often does home delivery, ordering Olivia’s favourite cuisine, Italian. When the delivery person arrives at the front door, Olivia’s mother receives the notification to her smart watch. The video doorbell has been set to no chime as Olivia doesn’t like unexpected loud noises.
7:30 PM
It’s Olivia’s bedtime. Her mother or father first read to her, and get her settled in her room. Once she is alone she isn’t ever really alone. In the same way a baby monitor is a safety measure, the video camera installed in Olivia’s room provides her parents with peace of mind through the night, knowing they will be alerted if motion is detected in her room.
This is assistive technology making life at home for a family with an autistic child safe.
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 your family or the child 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.
