When a cyclone is on the way, life can suddenly feel chaotic – especially for children with sensory sensitivities, anxiety, or communication differences. As parents, we naturally want to help our kids feel safe during these extreme weather events. One key is predictability. Research shows that having a predictable routine or plan helps neurodiverse children (like those on the autism spectrum) feel less anxious and more secure. On the flip side, the loud noises and sudden changes brought by storms can be very distressing for kids who are sensitive to sound. This is why creating structure around an upcoming cyclone is so important.
In this article, we’ll explore how visual supports and social stories can provide that reassuring structure before, during, and after a cyclone. We’ll also share practical tips – from comfort items to quiet spaces and involving kids in clean-up – to help your family weather the storm with confidence.
Why Routine Matters for Neurodiverse Kids
Many neurodiverse children thrive on routine. Knowing what to expect and when helps them make sense of their world. Predictability provides comfort: autistic children, for example, often feel calmer when their day follows a familiar pattern. Sudden changes or uncertainty can heighten anxiety, potentially leading to distress or meltdowns. Children with sensory processing differences may also struggle when the environment becomes unpredictable – like when a severe storm hits. By putting a clear plan in place for cyclones, you give your child a roadmap that replaces some of the “unknowns” with familiar steps. This sense of structure can greatly reduce fear and confusion in a stressful situation.
How can you build predictability around a cyclone? Start by talking about what might happen in simple terms well before the weather turns bad. Explain that we have a plan to keep everyone safe. Involve your child in making a family cyclone plan (more on this below) so they feel included and informed. The goal is to create a kind of routine for the cyclone: a sequence of actions and coping strategies that your child can follow. When the real event comes, following this established routine can help them stay calmer because they know “we’ve practiced this, we know what to do.” Predictability is powerful in providing a sense of control amid the chaos.
Visual Schedules Make Cyclone Prep Less Scary
One of the best tools to create predictability is a visual schedule or visual support. A visual schedule uses pictures (and simple words) to show the steps of an event or task. It can be especially helpful for children who have trouble understanding verbal instructions or abstract concepts – the images make it clear and concrete.
Visual supports are proven to help children with autism anticipate what’s going to happen and handle unusual events that don’t occur every day. In the context of a cyclone, a visual schedule can break down the whole experience into manageable parts, from the lead-up to the cyclone through to the aftermath.
Billylids Therapy Family Cyclone Plan
The Billylids Family Cyclone Plan is an example of a visual schedule that breaks down what to do before, during, and after a cyclone in simple, kid-friendly steps. Each step is illustrated (like checking the weather, preparing the home, staying in a safe space, and cleaning up together) to make the sequence easy to follow. By reviewing a visual guide like this with your child in advance, you help them see what will happen and what is expected. This reduces the uncertainty that feeds anxiety.
For instance, the cyclone plan might show that “Before the cyclone, we will pack emergency supplies and choose some games or books if the power goes out.” During the cyclone, it reminds the family to “stay inside in our safe space – maybe the quiet bedroom with soft lighting and our favourite things – and use headphones if it gets too loud.” After the cyclone, the visual schedule shows “we check around to see that the rain and wind have stopped, then we all help clean up together.” Seeing these steps ahead of time reassures children that there is an orderly plan, and each family member (including them) has a role.
Tips for using a visual schedule: Keep it accessible and go through it step-by-step with your child when the weather forecast first warns of a cyclone. Use simple language for each picture (e.g., “First we tape the windows, then we get our torch and teddy bear…”). Encourage your child to ask questions about each step. You could even role-play a couple of the steps, like gathering supplies or setting up the safe room, to reinforce understanding.
During the actual cyclone, refer back to the chart: “Remember our chart – now we’re doing the ‘stay in a safe space’ step, just like we talked about.” This consistency between the plan and reality can be very comforting. Visual schedules not only guide actions, but also communicate to a child with communication differences exactly what’s happening in a way they can easily grasp.
Social Stories: Walking Through the Storm, Step by Step
Another wonderful strategy to prepare children for cyclones is using social stories. A social story is a short, simple story (often with pictures) that describes a situation and how the child can cope with it. Social stories were originally developed by educator Carol Gray, and they’re written from the child’s perspective. They typically explain what will happen, how it might make the child feel, and what they can do in response. This makes them ideal for walking a child through the before, during, and after of a cyclone in a gentle, supportive way.
For example, a social story for a cyclone might start with: “Sometimes big storms called cyclones happen. The wind will blow very hard and the rain will be loud. This might feel scary.” It would then reassure: “Mummy and Daddy have a safe place for us to stay. We will be inside and the storm cannot hurt us. If the noise is too loud, I can wear my headphones or hold my favourite teddy”.
The story can continue through the sequence: “We will stay in our safe room until the storm passes. I can play with my toys or read while we wait. Mummy or Daddy will be with me the whole time. After the cyclone, we might see some leaves or branches on the ground outside. We will all help clean up. I will be safe.” In this way, the narrative prepares the child for what might happen and normalises any scary feelings with coping strategies (like using headphones, taking deep breaths, or playing quietly).
A good social story is positive and empowering. It focuses on what the child can do and what adults will do to keep them safe, rather than on what could go wrong. It’s also specific to the child’s situation – you can even include real photos of your home’s safe space or the actual items in your emergency kit. Keep sentences short and clear. You might write it as a short book with one sentence per page and a simple illustration or even stick-figure drawings.
Practice the social story multiple times before a cyclone arrives. Read it together on a calm day (maybe as a bedtime story) so your child becomes familiar with it. Encourage them to ask questions or even repeat back parts of the story. During the cyclone itself, you can quietly remind them of the story: “Remember in our story, when the rain was loud, we listened to music on our headphones? Let’s do that now.” Social stories are meant to be used before, during, and after the events they describe – so you might re-read it after the cyclone as well, to help your child process what happened and to praise them for following the plan. This repetition builds their confidence and emotional regulation skills. Children start to internalise the message: “I was brave and did what my story said – and now I’m okay.”
Practical Tips for Family Cyclone Prep
Every family (and every child) is different, but here are some practical strategies you can use to support your child through a cyclone. These suggestions can make the experience less overwhelming and give your child a sense of safety and control:
Pack a “comfort kit”
Gather a few favourite items that help keep your child calm. This might include a beloved stuffed toy or blanket, a favourite book, a tablet with a preferred game or show downloaded, and sensory tools like a stress ball or fidget toy. Don’t forget any special needs items: for example, noise-cancelling headphones or earplugs to muffle the storm sounds, and if your child uses a communication device or visual cards, have those on hand too. Keep this kit with your emergency supplies so it’s ready if a cyclone warning strikes. Knowing their familiar things are nearby can be very reassuring to a child.
Prepare a quiet safe space
Identify the safest part of your home to shelter during the cyclone (often an interior room or hallway away from windows). Beforehand, involve your child in making that space comfortable. You might set up pillows, blankets, and a soft lantern or torch for gentle lighting if the power goes out. Consider this “quiet zone” a mini sanctuary with minimal sensory stimulation. For a child sensitive to noise, having their headphones or even some favourite music or an audiobook to listen to can help drown out the howling wind. If they prefer deep pressure input (common for some autistic children), have a weighted blanket or even big cushions they can snuggle under. By setting up the space in advance, when the cyclone comes you can say “Let’s go to our safe room now” and it’s already stocked with comforting items and a calming environment.
Use visual cues and countdowns
In the days before an expected cyclone, mark the event on a calendar or use a simple countdown (e.g. “Two more sleeps until the storm”). This can help some children mentally prepare. During the cyclone itself, using a timer or visual countdown for how long you’ll stay in the safe space (if you have reliable info) might help – though be cautious, as storm timelines can change. You could also use a simple “Now/Next/Then” board: “Now we are reading a book, Next we will have a snack, Then the rain might be lighter.” This kind of mini-visual schedule keeps kids focused on one step at a time, rather than getting lost in worry about when it will end.
Involve your child in the plan
Wherever possible, let your child participate in making the family cyclone plan. Kids often cope better when they feel some ownership of the process. You might let them choose which comfort items to pack, or pick the quiet-time activities for when you’re sheltering (like selecting a puzzle or choosing a movie to download). Even practicing parts of the plan together can help: for example, do a pretend “power outage drill” one evening – turn off the lights, grab your torches and play a quiet game by flashlight, so it’s not scary if it happens for real. When children are included in preparations, they understand why changes are happening and what to do, which gives them a sense of control rather than feeling everything is being suddenly imposed on them.
Plan for sensory needs
Think ahead about what sensory input will bother your child and how to mitigate it. If your child is very sensitive to sound, have those headphones ready and maybe a favourite playlist. If they are bothered by the dark (in case of power loss), keep extra battery lamps or a comforting nightlight in your emergency kit. Some children are very sensitive to scratchy clothing or having wet clothes; ensure you have comfy attire (maybe even a soft dressing gown or onesie) accessible in the safe space, and a towel and change of clothes if things get wet. By addressing these sensory comforts, you prevent small irritations from adding to your child’s stress.
Choose calming activities
Have a mental (or written) list of a few quiet activities your child enjoys that can be done without electricity. This could be colouring, play-dough, doing a puzzle, listening to stories, or a calming sensory activity like a simple rice bucket or matching game. When the cyclone is raging, you can encourage one of these activities to keep your child engaged and distracted from the noise. Many kids find relief in focusing on a task they enjoy. If your child has a special interest (obsession) like trains or dinosaurs, maybe keep a new book about that topic tucked away to surprise them during the storm – it can shift their focus to a positive fixation instead of the weather.
Stay calm and offer reassurance
Children take cues from our emotions. As hard as it may be, try to model calm behavior during the cyclone. Use a soothing tone of voice and remind your child frequently that “we are safe here”. Simple physical comfort goes a long way too: holding your child, rubbing their back, or encouraging them to take slow deep breaths with you can help keep their anxiety in check. You might have a mantra from your social story like “loud noise, safe inside” that you repeat together. If you notice your child getting very distressed, calmly acknowledge their feelings: “I know the wind sounds scary. It made me jump a little too. But remember, we prepared our safe room and we’re okay here.” This kind of validation plus reassurance can foster emotional regulation by teaching them to name the feeling and then use a coping strategy.
After the Cyclone: Helping Kids Feel Safe Again
When the cyclone has passed, the journey isn’t over – the aftermath is another important phase for your child. The world outside might look a bit different (with branches down or debris), and your routine may have been disrupted. Here are ways to support your child after the storm:
Invite them to help with the clean-up
Once it’s safe to go outside, involve your child in simple clean-up tasks appropriate for their age (like picking up small branches in the yard or drying up a puddle indoors). This might seem surprising – why ask them to help after such a stressful event? – but including kids in the recovery process can actually be comforting. It shows them that life is returning to normal and gives them a sense of accomplishment. Experts note that seeing things go back to normal and being part of that process can be very reassuring for children. You can make it fun by turning clean-up into a game or a mission (e.g. “Let’s be cleanup superheroes and help fix the yard!”). Of course, if your child is too overwhelmed or the clean-up is dangerous, do not force it – emotional and physical safety comes first. But even having them observe from a safe spot while you start picking up, and then joining in if they want, can help them process the event.
Talk about what happened, at your child’s level
Children may have lingering questions or feelings about the cyclone. In the hours or days after, take some time to gently discuss it. Use clear, simple language to describe what happened and emphasise that it’s over and you’re all safe. For example: “The big storm made a lot of noise and the power went out, but our house is strong. We stayed safe in our safe room. Now the storm has gone away.” Encourage your child to express any feelings or worries. Some kids might draw pictures or play “cyclone” with their toys as a way to process – join in and listen to the feelings they express through play. If they show fear about the next storm, reassure them that cyclones are rare and remind them of how well they followed the plan this time. Listening to their concerns and validating them (“It was okay to feel scared, but you did a great job”) helps them feel heard and secure. It can also be useful to revisit your social story or even create a new one about “The Day We Stayed Safe in the Cyclone” that recounts what they did and praises their bravery.
Restore routine quickly
As soon as circumstances allow, get back to your child’s normal routine or a new temporary routine if needed. Predictability is comfort, so resume regular meal times, school schedules, bedtime rituals, and so on. If your home was damaged or you had to relocate, try to set up familiar items (like their bedding, toys, or visuals) in the new environment to re-establish a sense of normalcy. Highlight the positive: “The cyclone is finished, and look – you’re back at school with your friends!” or “Now we can watch your favourite show again since the power is on.” Celebrating the “back to normal” moments helps reinforce your child’s sense of safety and resilience. In fact, make a point to celebrate being safe: do a special family activity like a movie night or a favourite meal as a way of saying “we did it!” This gives closure to the event and turns it into a story of coping and teamwork.
Building Resilience and Safety with Proactive Strategies
By using tools like visual schedules and social stories – and by thoughtfully preparing for your child’s sensory and emotional needs – you’re not just helping them get through a cyclone, you’re also building their resilience. Each time a child faces a scary situation with a plan and supportive guidance, they learn that they can handle hard things and that the world becomes safe again afterward. Your proactive efforts (like creating that cyclone plan, packing the comfort kit, and practising the story) directly contribute to your child’s sense of security. Over time, this can make a big difference in how they respond to other challenges, not just storms.
Remember, you know your child best. Not every tip will suit every child – and that’s okay. Pick and choose the strategies that fit your family. Maybe your child will latch onto the visual cyclone plan and want to carry their picture schedule around proudly. Another child might find the most comfort snuggling in a dark fort with noise-cancelling headphones and a torch. Trust your instincts and celebrate the small victories, like your child calmly checking the weather with you, or taking a deep breath during the storm because it was in their social story. Those moments are the building blocks of resilience.
Lastly, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. Riding out a cyclone with children, especially ones who have extra needs, is no small feat. It’s natural to feel anxious as a parent or to second-guess if you’re doing it right. Be kind to yourself afterward – even if not everything went perfectly to plan, your love and effort is what your child will remember. And you’re not alone; your occupational therapist (OT) or speech pathologist (SLP) can also offer guidance tailored to your child’s needs.
If you’d like more support, we invite you to download our free BillyLids Family Cyclone Plan visual guide and use it with your family. And always feel free to reach out to your child’s OT or SLP for help in personalising these strategies for your child. With preparation, understanding, and a lot of love, you can help your little one weather any storm – and come out of it feeling safe, supported, and proud. Stay safe, and remember: we’re in this together.
