Your home should be a place where you can relax, unwind and feel comfortable. When you have live-in support, establishing clear communication about your sensory needs helps create an environment that truly works for you.

Understanding your sensory preferences

Autistic people can be much more or less sensitive to sensory experiences than non-autistic people, according to the National Autistic Society. Your support worker needs to understand how you experience different sensory inputs and what helps you feel most comfortable at home.

Consider sharing information about your responses to:

• Lighting: Whether you prefer dimmer lighting, natural light, or specific types of bulbs
• Sound: Background noise levels, music preferences, or need for quiet spaces
• Textures: Fabrics, furniture materials, or cleaning products that feel comfortable or uncomfortable
• Smells: Scents from cooking, cleaning products, or air fresheners that you find pleasant or overwhelming
• Temperature: Your preferred room temperature and how you like to regulate this throughout the day

Building effective communication with your support worker

The most important step is having an open conversation about your sensory preferences during your initial needs assessment, before your support begins. This information will form part of your support plan, but remember that this plan isn’t static and can be adjusted when required based on your changing needs or circumstances.

This initial discussion ensures your support worker understands how to help you feel comfortable in your own space from day one.

Practical ways to share your needs

Create a sensory preferences guide: Write down or discuss specific details about what works for you. For example, “I prefer the main lights dimmed after 6pm” or “Please use unscented cleaning products in the kitchen.”

Show rather than just tell: If possible, demonstrate your preferred lighting levels, show which fabrics you find comfortable, or explain your morning routine in your usual environment.

Discuss timing and routines: Share when you might be more sensitive to certain stimuli, for example if you need quieter environments at specific times of day or after busy periods.

Explain your coping strategies: If you have particular ways of managing sensory overload, such as using headphones, weighted blankets, or retreating to a specific room, make sure your support worker understands and respects these.

Creating sensory-friendly spaces together

Many people with autism find having a dedicated calm space at home invaluable for managing sensory overload. Your support worker can help you maintain and optimise these spaces to ensure they remain effective for your needs. Work together to ensure:

• -You have control over environmental factors like lighting and temperature
• -Cleaning and household routines consider your sensory preferences
• -Your calming spaces remain available and undisturbed when you need them
• -Any changes to your environment are discussed with you beforehand

Ongoing communication and adjustments

Your sensory needs might change depending on stress levels, health, or life circumstances. With live-in support, you maintain control over your environment and can make adjustments as needed.

Ongoing communication is key to a productive collaboration. Remember, your support plan can be updated whenever needed to reflect changes in your preferences or circumstances.

Regular check-ins with your support worker help ensure your arrangement continues to work well:

• -Discuss what’s working and what might need adjusting
• -Share any changes in your sensory preferences or triggers
• -Plan ahead for potentially challenging times, such as when household maintenance is needed
• -Review and update your support plan as needed

Remember: you’re in control

Your support worker is there to adapt to your needs, not the other way around. A good working relationship means your support worker understands this and works with you to maintain an environment that supports your wellbeing.

By communicating clearly about your sensory needs from the start, you’ll help create a supportive partnership that enhances your comfort and independence at home.

If you’d like to discuss how live-in support can work for you, our team at Promedica24 is here to answer your questions. Simply call 0800 086 8686, email care@promedica24.co.uk, or request a callback to speak to a member of our team.

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