When we talk about autism, the most common thing that comes to our mind is how to manage the challenging behaviours of children with autism. The best way to calm a child is to stay calm to start with. Quite often, children with autism show signs of distress before they get upset. Check out if the child seems to get frustrated, angry, anxious or is just over-excited.
There are some DO’S and DON’T that apply to most children with autism
1) Be empathetic: Listen to the child and understand the struggle they are going through. When your child is showing a meltdown or challenging behaviour, try to understand how the child might be feeling. Be sensitive to the child’s needs and try to communicate not much verbally but using visuals.
2) Offer an escape corner: When the child is showing behaviour, try to create some private space for the child. Take the child to a calm place, maybe a different room. Try to avoid public confrontation, even if it’s within the family-school. Be gentle to the child till that moment passes away, and the child is relaxed.
3) Help the child with sensory activities: During situations as stated above, try to involve the child in some sensory activities or provide him with some toys that stimulate sensory. It will help the child to overcome the current behaviour soon.
4) Let the child feel loved and safe: It is not advisable to get angry with the child after the challenging behaviour incidence. Instead show him your love, care and make him feel safe. Try to be physically closer to the child and massage him gently. It will help them to calm down sooner. They are not responsible for their behavioural issues.
5) Allow the child to express emotion: Let the child feel free to express his feelings whatever way they want to. It is okay to let them cry, shout or throw other tantrums. It is their way to release energy and feel comfortable and gives them peace. Please be careful that no one else gets harmed with their action.
6) Don’t embarrass or shame the child: Age is just number when discussing special needs kids. Meltdown is something natural and has nothing to do with discipline. Try not to control them by quoting their age that is, asking them to behave as per their age.
7) Don’t punish: Punishments can make the child feel inadequate and ashamed of himself. Meltdown is uncontrolled, and punishment is further torturing the child.
8) Do not threaten: Do not endanger the child of taking his things away. Such act of your further escalates his meltdown. Do not talk of taking away his favourite things or the aftereffects of his behaviour else meltdown will further worsen.
9) Offer some deep pressure or high energy activities: Deep pressure informs the sensory system of our body as to when the body ends, and the outside world begins. Give them a massage, cuddle them tightly or make them lie down under weighted blankets. These are some ways to help them release their energy and calm down.
10) Understand their communication: Understand what the child is trying to say though his specific behaviour. To help them communicate better, give them visual clues, and they will be able to express themselves.
Meltdown or difficult behaviours are a common phenomenon with autism. The above tips may help you in overcoming them from time to time. These are intermittent phases that pass by in short spans.
