8 Tips for Babysitting an Autistic Child (+ Free Printable for YOUR Babysitter)

Babysitting an autistic child can be a challenge. It may also be difficult for you to find a babysitter for you child. You may worry about leaving your child with autism with another person. These tips can help! If you would like a collection of activities your babysitter can use with your child, get your copy of the Autism Activities Workbook Bundle. To get the most out of this post, make sure you download your free printable babysitter information sheet.

How can you help prepare your child’s babysitter? 8 Tips for babysitting an autistic child

1. Provide a way to communicate with your child

If your child is non-verbal, or not communicating with words and sentences just yet, it is essential that your babysitter knows how to communicate with him or her. A simple and clear communication system may be the difference between a fun evening or an evening filled with frustration and meltdowns.

Use Adapted Sign Language

Adapted sign language is a great place to start. Learn the first adapted autism signs to teach with the free signing poster I made for you below.

DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE SIGNING POSTER HERE AND YOU WILL HAVE THE FIRST 9 SIGNS TO TEACH YOUR CHILD.

Use a Communication Binder

A Communication Binder is a powerful tool for teaching communication to autistic children. Set it up using real photos in few simple steps and you’re good to go!

Click here to learn to make a Communication Binder

2. Prepare some activities for your babysitter to do with your autistic child

These activities are fun and easy to put in place :

Get your copy of the Autism Activities Workbook Bundle by clicking here!

Free printable Fish Bowl Playdough Mat

25 Ideas for Sensory Boxes for Your Child with Autism

Train Sponge Painting : Sensory Activity for Kids with Autism

Get your free printable BABYSITTER INFO SHEET here!

3. Prepare a meal in advance or specific instructions for eating

Does your child follow a special diet such as a gluten-free autism diet? If so, make sure your babysitter knows exactly what your child can and cannot eat. If your child has food allergies or food aversions, make sure these are absolutely clear.

4. Explain any difficult behaviors that your child may have

Leave detailed information so your babysitter knows what types of situations can upset your child, what behaviors to expect and what to do should they arise. Challenging behaviors can be one of the things about babysitting an autistic child.

5. Explain your child’s sensory needs.

Is your child sensitive to bright lights? Loud sounds? Certain textures? Write it down so that your child’s babysitter knows how to meet your child’s needs;

6. Prepare your babysitter to help your child go to sleep

Will your babysitter come over so you can spend an evening out? If this is the case, she or he may be putting your child to sleep. Make sure you explain what to do at bedtime. When should your child go to sleep? Does your little one have a particular nighttime routine? Listening to classical music? Looking at the pictures in a board book?

7. Share your child’s favorite toys with your babysitter by listing them and putting them in an accessible box

It is important for your babysitter to know what your child loves, so she or he can engage with your child more easily. Gather your child’s 4 or 5 favorite toys and put them in one place (such as a toy box) so that they are easy to access.

Some ideas?

Gather a favorite musical toy, a book or two, a stuffed animal, a puzzle and maybe even a favorite movie to help the time go more smoothly while the babysitter is with your autistic child.

8. Ask for feedback from your child’s babysitter

When you get home, take a few minutes to chat with your babysitter. How did it go? Did your child eat? Go to sleep? Engage in an activity? What was difficult? Knowledge is power and if your babysitter has trouble during his or her stay, explaining what they can do to make things smoother the next time, will make it more likely that they’ll happily come back to stay with your child again!

Don’t forget to get your free printable babysitter info sheet here!

Make sure to leave the following information at home for your child’s babysitter

A number where you can be reached
The address of where you will be
An emergency contact number in case you are unreachable
Phone numbers for emergency services in your area

More Autism Resources

The Successful Interaction with a Child with Autism Course – learn to better understand your autistic child or students with this complete course.
Autism Activities Workbook Bundle – build communication skills, fine motor skills, sensory play skills and daily living skills, while helping your child or students to successfully manage any difficult behaviors, with these fun, educational, printable activities.
Autism Activities Vault – your collection of 420+ autism activities for the entire school year.
Sensory Communication Workbook – Build communication skills with simple sensory activities.
How to Make a Communication Binder Guide & Workbook – Learn how to create a Communication Binder for your child or student with autism using real photos. Follow my expert guide to learn how to use it to increase communication skills.
Autism Adapted Books Bundle – a collection of 10 adapted books that will help you build communication skills while teaching more than 120 vocabulary words.
Autism Social Stories Bundle – a collection of printable social stories to help your little learners work on their social skills.
Zoo Animals Play Dough Mats Bundle – use these printable play dough mat to work on the names of the animals, build language skills, and increase fine motor strength and precision in a fun, sensory way!

Babysitting a Child with Autism

Go put these 8 tips for babysitting an autistic child to good use! If you find the right person, and your give them the proper tools, you will feel more comfortable leaving your child with someone other than you soon.