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#Calming an autistic meltdown how to#

Then push for 35 seconds of breathing on the next day. Give them positive reinforcement for trying. That is entirely normal, but you can build up the time slowly, like stamina.įor example, if your child is practicing their breathing and is only able to focus for 30 seconds, that’s fine. You may have trouble getting your child to participate in these calm and quiet activities at first. This meditation called Spaceship to the Moon is his favorite. He says it helps him block out irritating sensory input such as noises from traffic or other people talking around him.

Try child-directed guided meditations – My son has had success doing guided meditations that are directed at children.

The webinar presenter recommended these mindful games activity cards.

#Calming an autistic meltdown how to#

Play mindfulness games – I recently attended a webinar hosted by ADDitude magazine about how to improve attention, focus, and self-regulation using mindful activities.

Depending on your child’s interests, Amazon offers an array of color-changing lamps, like this one. It’s a great activity for promoting mindfulness and calming techniques.

Use a color-changing LED light or candle and practice taking breaths in and out as the color changes.

It notonly establishes structure and routine but also allows themto have much-needed alone time. Whether it’s a tent, a spare room, or a cozy corner, having a Safe Placefor your child to go in the midst of a meltdown can help them regain a sense of calm. For instance, if they try to bang their head against something hard, intervene by putting a pillow between their headand the target surface. But for those who don’t want to use restraint, “guiding” the child’s actionsmay be an alternative. Some parents may use this tactic if their childrenhurt others or themselves during a meltdown. Should a parent physically restrain their child who is having a meltdown? It’s a dicey question, the answer of which should be left up to the parent to decide (so long as the restraint does not border into abuse, of course). Decide Where You Stand on the Restraint Debate Don’t stop them from stimming it’soften a way for themto self-soothe.Ħ. Offer them atoy, sing their favorite song… whatever you think will offer them a suitable, healthy diversion. Say things like, “I know all these noises and lights hurt,” or “I know youfeel like the world isending,” or “I know you’re scared.” Be sure to speak very softly, too! 5.Redirect Their Mind Instead, try to get inside their head and feel what they feel. You may be frustrated, but telling them about how they’re going to miss the bus if they don’t hurry will likely be unhelpful at best, counterproductive at worst your childmayfeel their pain is being dismissed. Similarly, when a person is anxious due to a meltdown, emotion has hijacked their brain.

If none of that is possible, do your best to remove your childfrom the situation.Įver been extremely upset and had someone say”Calm down?” It probably made everything even worse. If possible and appropriate, remove yourchild’s clothes if they’re contributing to sensory overload. Reducing sensory inputmay seem pretty basic, but it’s bigfor those with Sensory Processing Disorder. Just make sure they’re okay with it by asking something like, “Do you need a hug?” or “Do you want me to rub your shoulders?” If not, hugging or massagingthemmay also help. If you have something like a weighted blanket, use it to cover yourchild. Apply Deep Pressureĭeep pressure therapy is often helpful for kids on the spectrum when they’re in distress. The beauty ofthis exercise is that you can do it while helping your child. Pause for a moment before repeating this ritual. If you feel you’re about to explode, take a deep breath through your nose for four seconds, hold it for two, and let it out slowly through your mouth for six. In order to help your child regulate their emotions, ensure yours are in check. A testy tone or a harsh word during a meltdownmay just fuel the fire by upsetting them even further.

Kidscan often pick up on their parents’ negative emotions. (Hint: manyof thesetips can also help you handleanxiety in general!) So what do you do when they strike? Here are seven actions you can try taking.

Sure, you can do your best to prevent meltdowns, but that’s not always feasible. They’re not only frustrating but also heartbreaking you love your child more than life itself, and watching them in such a heightened state of distressmakes you feel like you’re being ripped in half. If you’re a parent ofa child on the spectrum, you may know how difficult meltdowns can be.