# 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.

URL: https://theautismkit.com/guides/new-baby-sibling-autism
By The Autism Kit team · Updated 2026-09-28

**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.

**Headphones help.** Baby crying can be very hard to listen to. Keep headphones handy.

Free printable: [Free printable: social narrative template](https://theautismkit.com/printables/social-narrative-template.pdf)

## What can I do this month?

- [ ] Write a new baby story
- [ ] Make any room changes early
- [ ] Plan daily one-on-one time

Read next: [How do I help my autistic child move to a new house?](https://theautismkit.com/guides/moving-house-autism)

## Common questions

### When should I tell my child?

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

### What if my child is upset by the crying?

Headphones and a quiet space help. Play baby sounds quietly before the birth so they're familiar.

### Should I move my child's room?

If you need to, do it months before the baby arrives, so it isn't linked to the baby.

## Sources

1. Carol Gray Social Stories. https://carolgraysocialstories.com/
2. AFIRM (UNC Frank Porter Graham): Visual supports evidence-based practice brief. https://afirm.fpg.unc.edu/wp-content/uploads/Visual-Supports-Brief-Packet.pdf

General guidance, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Talk with your pediatrician or a developmental specialist about your child's care.