Tips For Calming Down An Autistic Child

If you have a child that has autism, there is a good chance that you have experienced a meltdown. With autism, when meltdowns occur, your child cannot be reasoned with. These meltdowns can be prompted by seemingly innocuous actions and environmental effects. As a result, you are going to need to have something up your sleeve in order to cope with your child's behavior and get through life. Here are some tips for calming down you autistic child in the middle of a meltdown. 

1. Make a List of Common Triggers

The first thing that you want to do is make a list of the triggers that your child responds to with a meltdown. This could be a fabric that your child does not like brushing his or her face while he or she is shopping at a clothing store. It could be loud music or large crowds. Make a list of all of the things that you have seen your child respond to in the form of meltdowns. Then, divide the list into triggers that can easily be avoided and triggers that cannot be avoided. Memorize the list. Try to keep these triggers away from your child unless you are specifically doing some sort of therapy that encourages children to learn to deal with their triggers. This will allow you to go grocery shopping and run other errands without as much difficulty.

2. Make the Environment Smaller

If you are out shopping, bring items with you to help make the environment smaller for your child and therefore under his or her control. You can bring noise cancelling headphones so that your child doesn't have to be overwhelmed by the sound. You can bring sunglasses that are totally blacked out or heavily dimmed so that your child can limit his or her vision of whatever is upsetting him or her. You can even bring a weighted blanket, that will physically make the world smaller and easier for your child to deal with. Weighted blankets can be purchased online.

3. Stay Calm

Your child is going to get more upset if you are upset because there is nowhere calm for him or her to come back from his or her tantrum to. Recite a mantra, focus on your child, do a little bit of mindfulness meditation in the moment to keep your cool.

For more information, talk to a company that specializes in autism help for parents like ABC Pediatric Therapy.


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