Even everyday situations can become stressful for a child with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). As a parent, it helps to quickly identify when your child is feeling stressed out while implementing effective techniques for calming them down. It’s even better if you can put steps in place to prevent unnecessary stress for your child. These tips offer a general guide that you can personalize for your child.
It can be easy for a child with ASD to become overwhelmed by their environment before they even start working on a task. While you may not always notice them, you have to assess every room from your child’s perspective.
Elements like persistent noises, strong scents, bright lights, and colorful posters can be a lot. It’s recommended that you make the room your child will be in as low-sensory input as possible. You can dim the lights, turn electronics off, and remove highly scented things from the room. If there’s a sound that you can’t end or control, noise-canceling headphones can be helpful.
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Some parents of autistic children may avoid assigning complex tasks because they don’t want to create a stressful situation. However, that’s not always possible. If you need your child to work on a large task, there’s a more effective way to get it done. Instead of telling them the whole task, it’s better to break it down into small, basic actions.
For example, if you want your child to get dressed, you can break that down into individual tasks that build on each other. You might tell them to put on their underwear and celebrate completing that task. Once all the actions are completed, your child will have done the complex task you had in mind.
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Of course, just because a task is small, it doesn’t mean that it will be easy for a child with ASD to handle or complete. Some autistic children don’t respond well to being handed small tasks in quick succession.
In that case, it’s better to let them know the expected sequence of events upfront. One example would be saying, “First, we’re going to eat breakfast, then we’re going for a walk.”
When you tell your child what’s coming next after one task, they’re less likely to be stressed out about it or react badly. If they have a problem processing how complicated the tasks sound, you may have to tell them a sequence of smaller tasks instead.
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Typically, children with ASD are more comfortable with structured environments and a set routine.
This structure can entail carrying out certain activities in the same room at all times and having a schedule for everything your child does daily.
Knowing what to expect each day provides a sense of safety and comfort for your child. When things have to change, it’s best to communicate this clearly while making the switch as seamless as possible.
Even with your best efforts, your child may need time to adjust so be prepared for delays and needing to soothe them for a bit.
While children with ASD have certain similarities, it doesn’t mean that they’ll all react the same way under the same circumstances.
It’s recommended that you document how your child responds to stressful situations so you’ll recognize them more easily and react accordingly.
Over time, you’ll be able to predict when a particular environment or task might not be ideal for them. Bear in mind that even with a plan, things can change in unexpected ways, so it’s a good idea to remain flexible and have an exit plan.
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