Over time, and especially after learning more about autism, we realized that safety for an autistic child isn’t a one‑time checklist. It is a mindset. It is constant awareness, preparation, and learning—both about our child and about our environment.
This article is not meant to alarm anyone. Many of the situations I describe can happen with any child. But as parents of a child on the spectrum, we’ve learned that we cannot assume risk is understood the same way, even when a child appears capable or confident.
Making the Home as Safe as Possible
We started with the basics. Our balconies have what are called invisible grills—strong wires that allow light and openness but act as a safety barrier. Our main door has a small manual stopper at the top so Ekansh cannot open it on his own. We also installed a door grill so that we can keep the main door open for ventilation while preventing him from stepping outside.
Still, children surprise you. Ekansh figured out how to open the grill.
Earlier, most drawers and cabinets that could pose a danger—those with sharp tools, cleaning supplies, or breakable items—were locked with child‑proof locks. Over time, we removed some of them as the environment became more familiar and as his understanding improved.
But even now, we never keep sharp objects within his reach, and anything that could be a choking or eating hazard stays out of sight. One of us is always mentally scanning the room—what’s nearby, what could become risky in the next few minutes, and what might suddenly draw his attention.
The truth is: constant scanning is exhausting, especially in the early years. But with familiarity, it does get easier. You start to recognize patterns—what your child is drawn to, what they ignore, and what needs extra guarding.
Safety Outside the Home: Vigilance Without Fear
When we go out, we are extra careful. Not because Ekansh cannot do things, but because we are not sure he yet understands risk in the same way other children his age might.
This understanding was reinforced after reading Turn Autism Around by Mary Barbera, which emphasizes being proactive and mindful about safety for children on the spectrum.
In parks or play areas, one of us always accompanies him. Near water bodies, we keep him physically close—often holding his hand or carrying him. Around traffic, we watch carefully to ensure he does not wander or suddenly change direction.
We don’t allow him on heights without an adult nearby. To be fair, Ekansh seems to have a decent understanding of fall risk. But we don’t rely on that alone. For us, the rule is simple: never assume, always supervise.
It may sound like never taking your eyes off your child—and in many situations, that’s exactly what it is.
Travel Choices and Public Spaces
Travel is another area where safety decisions matter.
Whenever possible, we prefer traveling by our own car. If the distance is long, we usually choose flights over trains, even though Ekansh absolutely loves trains. The last time he rode a metro, he was so excited that he jumped and shouted with joy. I unfortunately wasn’t with him at that moment, but my wife, Sunita, later told me all about it.
Moments like that remind us that joy and risk often sit side by side. Excitement can override awareness, and unfamiliar environments increase unpredictability.
Animals, Insects, and the World on Screen vs. Reality
One area where we’ve learned to be especially cautious is Ekansh’s interaction with animals and insects.
He has little fear—and no clear sense of danger—when it comes to spiders, beetles, scorpions, butterflies, ladybugs, and more. If he sees one, he tries to catch it. He once even succeeded in grabbing a spider.
Much of this comes from TV rhymes and videos. On screen, animals are friendly, safe, and predictable. Ekansh knows dogs, cows, lions, and tigers from television—but not their real‑world behavior.
We try to expose him gradually, in controlled environments, to animals like goats, dogs, and cats. But this always requires vigilance. He is curious, not cautious. And curiosity, without understanding, needs adult supervision.
Socialization Comes With New Safety Challenges
At this stage in his development, Ekansh is working on socializing and playing with other children. To encourage this, we sometimes keep our door open so he can interact with neighbors and their kids.
This recently led to a serious safety incident—one that still stays with us.
While Ekansh was playing in the lobby, I was working on my laptop nearby, keeping an eye on him. A neighbor’s grandfather invited him into their house. He went in—and somehow slipped out of everyone’s sight.
A few minutes passed before we realized something was wrong.
By the time we started checking, he had already left the neighbor’s apartment. Panic set in. I checked every room, asked neighbors, searched the fifth floor above us. Nothing.
Instinctively, I went to the terrace—the floor above that—and looked toward a place where, a couple of months earlier, he had tried to climb.
That’s where I found him.
He was standing partway up toward the water tank structure, right at the edge, happily playing—pushing small brick pieces onto the terrace floor below. My heart stopped.
I chose not to panic outwardly. I trusted, in that moment, that he wouldn’t jump. I climbed toward him calmly from the safer edge. Thankfully, nothing bad happened.
But the incident was a powerful reminder.
What This Taught Us
This could have happened with any child. Ekansh may even have understood the risk. But we cannot be sure. And as parents, uncertainty means caution.
Autistic children often explore fearlessly, joyfully, and without the invisible rulebook that adults assume all children share. That doesn’t mean they can’t learn. It means we need to put layers of safety in place while they grow.
More importantly, this is not just about autistic children. Every child deserves an environment where curiosity doesn’t turn into danger.
A Shared Responsibility
Safety is not about restriction—it’s about creating space where a child can explore without harm. It’s about parents, caregivers, neighbors, and communities staying aware, communicating clearly, and never assuming “someone else is watching.”
We are still learning. Every day.
And if there is one thing this journey has taught us, it is this: being careful is not being fearful—it is being present.