Autism can be difficult, but as a parent, there are some things you can do. Interventions are available that may make huge differences, and you won't even have to pay an expert to do them. By the time you finish this article, you will have some tools to combat an upset or squirrelly kid. (Many of these techniques will work for "normal" kids, too. Shh!)
1. Weighted blankets. Weighted blankets can be used for relaxing or quelling anxiety. Experts will recommend that you not use them for sleep, but monitoring the child and possibly removing the blanket after he is asleep can sidestep that concern. The idea of the weight is that the pressure on the proprioceptive system serves as a calming factor.
2. Swinging. Another way of calming, this time with the vestibular system. Swinging helps to balance the system by regulating the inner ear. Any kind of swinging will do: porch swing, playground swing, even swinging around in your arms works, in a pinch.
3. Exercise. Do exercise such as lunges, wall shoves and wheelbarrow rides. Large motor work also helps to give calm the system by giving pressure input to the muscles, sending signals to the brain to calm down.
4. Sensory items. Items such as bean bags, bubbles, feathers, modeling clay, squeezy ball... all serve to help regulate the system and keep balance. Also, gum can help a child concentrate and attend to his homework.
5. Schedule. Many kids with autism need to know what is happening next. Keeping a schedule posted can go a long way towards alleviating anxiety.
6..The Incredible 5 Point Scale . This book can be a great help to parents, and others who work with autistic kids. It can be adapted in many ways. We use it to teach my daughter voice modulation.
1 =silence
2-=whisper/library voice
3= conversational voice
4= playground/outside voice
5= the house is on fire voice
When she is too loud, I remind her what level her voice is at, and what voice works better. It helps.
For my son, it is used as a tool for anger management
1= pretty comfortable, body feeling good, no tension
2 =antsy, but more happy than not
3= tension starting, feeling stressed
4= starting to mouth off, feeling tense, jaw clenched, no violence
5= abusive names, possible hitting ..time for social separation!
Most of these techniques are easy to implement, but as with anything else, there is a bit of a learning curve. Go easy on yourself. Try reading some books, such as The Out of Sync Child,The Out of Sync Child Has Fun , just about any book on Asperger's Syndrome . Try googling for information on "sensory diet ." There is a lot of information out there, so don't get overwhelmed. In my next article, I will write five more suggestions for interventions for kids with autism.
*these books are books that have helped me, I refer you to them for no other reason.
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