Autism and the Cost of Living

Aim

Sunbeams wants to support children, young people and adults, with autism, to develop ways to meet ever the increasing cost of living.

Sunbeams is hoping to be able to support all of its members by helping them to adjust to the ever increasing cost of living and avoid spiraling debt.

People with autism often struggle with understanding change and developing coping mechanisms to deal with change.  Autism can also bring about a struggle with understanding finances, prioritising bills and making ends meet.

People with autism can also require certain sensory input that can be expensive to run but is essential for their wellbeing, for example, some children and young people have their own sensory rooms which they use to help them manage anxiety or sensory overload.

Several of our members have difficulties managing to stay dry overnight and rely on pads to keep their clothes and bedding unsoiled.  Sometimes there are accidents and bedding does need replacing, which again can be expensive if this is a regular occurrence and is a need that especially needs addressing with the onset of the cold weather and increase in energy bills.

Sunbeams would like to be able to offer support with a variety of needs including workshops, support with debt management and prioritising as well as supporting with replacing old energy draining appliances, paying energy bills and providing vouchers to buy warm clothing such as coats, gloves and socks and high tog duvets.

People on the autism spectrum can find change very stressful. Due to the behavioural, information processing and sensory aspects of their diagnosis, many people on the autism spectrum often prefer familiar environments with a predictable routine. Restricted and repetitive interests, sensory processing differences and heightened anxiety can make even small changes stressful. 

Anxiety may manifest in an autistic person through:

• social phobia - people with autism may avoid seeking support with any issues or problems with bills, or asking for help if they are not coping with the changes around them.
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• excessive worry/rumination - being unable to seek guidance can see people with autism become incredibly anxious and distressed with issues that could easily be resolved with support.
• obsessive compulsive behaviour - this can mean that certain rituals must be adhered to and this could result in the inability to reduce energy usage, for example the need to have background noise constantly, washing repeatedly or using sensory equipment.
• hyper-vigilance, or seeming “shell shocked” - can cause heightened anxiety and exacerbate OCD behaviours, social phobia and rumination.
• phobias 
• avoidance behaviours - avoiding seeking help or guidance, not opening letters or answering the telephone, isolation.
• rigid routines and resistance to change - inability to change habits and make necessary changes to reduce outgoing costs.
• stimming and/or self-injurious behaviour - more frequently displayed when anxious or stressed.
• controlling behaviours – oppositional defiance
• meltdowns
• shut down

The world is already a  confusing, interacting mass of events, people, places, sounds and sights for our autistic community… Set routines, times, particular routes and rituals all help to get order into an unbearably chaotic life. 

Sunbeams wants to be able to offer a safe and trusted lifeline to our autistic peers and be able to support them to be able to understand the changing landscape around us and meet their own needs independently. 

Sunbeams will be there for them offering a helping hand, providing support and guidance and preventing poverty, heating or eating and debt scenario's.

This project successfully funded on 23rd December 2022