Children with autism can feel overwhelmed due to sensory overload, and they find it difficult to calm themselves. They might start yelling, crying inconsolably, rocking, hitting, or withdrawing from the situation. Some children also experience physical sensations, such as difficulty breathing, tension, and blurry vision.
These children often become fussy eaters, preferring certain textures or colours, and frequently cough or choke while eating. They struggle to sleep and might wake up several times during the night.
Sensory overloads can lead to meltdowns, when they temporarily lose control over their behaviour and emotions.
Why Children with Autism Need Support
Support helps children with autism identify challenging situations, recognize how overwhelming situations feel, and learn strategies to manage their anxiety. Here are ways to help your child calm down.
1. Recognize Difficult Situations
You and your child can create a list of challenging situations; these may include changes in routine, sensory overstimulation (such as sudden loud noises), social gatherings, or difficulty communicating. You can look for minor changes in routines that build up and identify patterns that lead to meltdowns. You can help your child recognize signs of discomfort and describe how they feel.
2. Practice Coping Strategies
Teach calming strategies, such as slow breathing, relaxation, or leaving busy environments, to help avoid triggers. Some children also prefer using sensory aids, such as headphones playing their favourite music or smelling calming fragrances. Make breathing exercises a routine for your child so they can use them as a technique when they feel anxious.
3. Manage Your Child’s Emotions
When you notice that your child is becoming frustrated, anxious, or angry (such as covering their ears, screaming, running away, pacing, or hurting themselves), it’s a good time to step in and offer support. Give your child a few structured choices to redirect them towards a positive activity, such as going for a walk or choosing a toy they like.
At school, they can take a drink break or run an errand. Try not to say too much, and avoid instructing your child on how to behave, as this can increase stress. Instead, use written words or pictures to guide your child to a safe place where they can feel calm and secure.
Give them space, and avoid hugging or allowing others to come near or touch them unless they ask you to.
4. What to do After a Meltdown
Your child may feel shy, exhausted, or embarrassed after a meltdown, and they need space, time, and familiar activities to regain control over their emotions.
When they feel calm, if your child has language abilities, you can ask them what happened and how they felt. It can take up to 30 minutes before your child can talk to you.
5. Professional Support
If your child frequently experiences meltdowns and you’re struggling to manage them, consider seeking professional help. Professionals will suggest therapies and support groups to help manage your child’s emotions.
Our sensory systems (touch, smell, sight, hearing, and sound) automatically process inputs and translate them into meaningful information. However, children with autism process sensory inputs differently, and their brains perceive dysregulated sensory inputs as a threat to their survival.
During this, sensory information isn’t transmitted to the emotional or analytical parts of the brain, making it difficult to handle the situation.
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How to Support Children with Autism in School
In schools, children with autism experience sensory information flowing all around them. To help these students, you must model appropriate behaviours by greeting and engaging them respectfully. Promote a friendly, welcoming environment while teaching understanding and acceptance to peers.
Children with autism might not be very sharp in social interactions, and if bullies harm them, they may not recognize it. The child might react or respond differently than expected. Consider the communication difficulties of these children and make a considerate effort to understand the situation.
Here are some practical steps you can take to provide support in the school environment.
1. Visual Schedules to Assist Daily Routines
Visual supports are very helpful for children with autism in understanding daily expectations; these can include picture cards and charts that provide a structure for the day. These visual cues help students comprehend and retain information efficiently, reducing anxiety and promoting independence. Help the children seat themselves in a way that accommodates their sensory needs.
2. Use Definite and Simple language.
Clear, simple, and concise instructions help children with autism easily understand and follow directions. These children often struggle with abstract language. So, when you give them simple instructions and break tasks into small, manageable steps, this can aid in task completion.
These can help the child set goals, improve language ability, and develop unique abilities based on their qualities.
Provide written rules, images, and prompts to explain expected behaviours. Understanding the reasons behind rules, such as keeping quiet when the teacher is speaking, can help increase compliance. Give positive directions, such as “please open your books and start reading,” which is more effective than “don’t make noise and start reading.”
3. Positive Reinforcement and Reward Systems
Positive reinforcement, such as token economies (systems in which children earn tokens for desired behaviours, which they can exchange for rewards) and other rewards, results in desired behaviours and motivates children with autism.
Several strategies for 2-5 years have been designed that employ praise, positive behaviour coaching, descriptive commentary, and learning.
The incentives and rewards are chosen to be developmentally appropriate for children of this age. This ensures that these rewards motivate and engage children in the learning process.
4. Prepare Children for Change
Establishing clear expectations and routines for autistic children is important for an inclusive classroom environment. These children appreciate predictable routines because they help reduce anxiety and provide a sense of security.
However, things can change, and preparing children for transitions is a crucial strategy for teaching students. You can give prior notice through visual or verbal cues to help them experience change calmly, without stress.
5. Foster Sensory-Friendly Spaces
Provide sensory-friendly tools, such as noise-cancelling headphones or weighted blankets, as they help children focus and manage sensory overload. You can also implement flexible seating and movement breaks to accommodate the physical and sensory needs of children with autism.
You can keep a calm-down kit to support children with autism spectrum disorder. Keep a toy drawer in your classroom that helps them self-regulate their emotions.
When a child feels overwhelmed by sensory overload or stress, they can choose a toy to help them calm down and regain their composure. The kit can include items such as Play-Doh, fidget toys, weighted blankets, stress balls, and aromatherapy pillows.
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6. Coach Social Behaviours
Teachers can learn to model and prompt social behaviours (helping, sharing, and waiting) in children with autism. They can teach children the importance of responding to their peers with enthusiasm and using picture play cards to promote joint play.
Students with autism often struggle with social interactions, so it is important that they learn self-advocacy and develop essential life skills.
Conclusion
An inclusive classroom environment has significant benefits for children with autism and their non-autistic peers. It fosters improved social skills, better academic outcomes, and empathy. Teachers can create a friendly yet supportive learning environment that meets students’ diverse needs.
Let’s actively embrace inclusion and work together to create supportive educational environments where every student thrives and feels valued. Start today by taking one step to help a child with autism in your school or community.
If you feel your child with autism needs extra support, our well-trained and caring team is here to help.
At Boomerang Counselling Centre, we are covered under Autism Funding and can submit directly on your behalf. You can learn more or book an appointment online at www.boomerangcc.ca.
