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How do I prepare my autistic child for a new baby?

Explaining with pictures, practising baby noises and routines, keeping your child's routine steady, and one-on-one time.

By The Autism Kit teamUpdated Sep 28, 2026 · 1 min read
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An older child hugging a newborn baby in a parent's arms
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The short answer

Start preparing a few months ahead with a simple social story, photos and a calendar countdown. Make changes to the house (like moving rooms) early, not when the baby arrives. Play recordings of baby crying at low volume, practise gentle touch with a doll, and plan who will care for your child during the birth. Keep their routine as steady as possible, and protect a little one-on-one time every day.

Key takeaways
  • Start with a social story and calendar countdown.
  • Make home changes early.
  • Get used to baby sounds gently.
  • Keep routines steady and protect one-on-one time.

How do I explain the baby?

A short social story with photos (you pregnant, a baby, the hospital, home with baby) helps your child understand what will happen.1 A calendar countdown shows how long until the baby comes.2

What can I practise?

Try
  • Baby crying recordings at low volume
  • Gentle touch with a doll
  • Setting up the baby's space early
  • Who will look after your child during the birth
Skip
  • Moving rooms right before the birth
  • New routines when the baby arrives
  • Expecting instant affection

What helps after the baby arrives?

  1. Keep routines as normal as you can.
  2. Protect a quiet space for your child.
  3. Give 10 minutes of one-on-one time daily.
  4. Give a job, like choosing a nappy or singing to the baby.
Free printable: social narrative templatePDF · 1 page · a simple story to prepare for a new or hard situation
Download Free printable: social narrative template

What can I do this month?

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Read next: How do I help my autistic child move to a new house?

Common questions

When the change starts to be visible, or a few months before. A calendar helps them see how long it is.

Sources

  1. Carol Gray Social Stories. carolgraysocialstories.com
  2. AFIRM (UNC Frank Porter Graham): Visual supports evidence-based practice brief. afirm.fpg.unc.edu

This guide shares general information and our team's perspective, based on the sources above. Every child is different, so please talk with your child's doctor or care team about what's right for your family. How we write our guides.

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