Managing Troubling Emotions
High Functioning autism can be very challenging
Managing Troubling Emotions
A lot of times children or students don’t know what the feelings are or how to identify them, so they keep them inside.
It's a myth that children with autism have few or no emotions. Nothing could be further from the truth. Children with autism may become emotional for different reasons or express their emotions differently, but they have just as many feelings as anyone else.
In some cases, kids with autism may be even more emotional than some of their typical peers. They can have trouble letting their feelings out and may need help expressing them.
- Remind your child (and yourself) that crying is caused by a feeling and that feeling will pass like a dark cloud, the sun will come out again.
- Help your child to learn to take a few slow deep breaths when they first begin to feel upset. Practice this regularly when they're not upset.
- It's like blowing the candles out on the cake... hold up your fingers and gently blow them out by slowly putting your fingers down as they blow... Do it with them.
- Give them toys that relieve stress, such as fidget toys and squishy objects to squeeze.
Letting Their Anger Out
High Functioning autism can be very challenging
Managing Troubling Emotions
When they do act out, they may behave in ways that surprise or shock the people around them they may:
- Meltdown like a much younger child, with tears and shouting. (sensory overload)
- Run away from a difficult situation, sometimes putting themselves in danger
- Become aggressive or self-abusive
- Overreact to the situation and be unable to self-calm
- Be unable to process logical information that, in another situation, would help them to calm down
- Become too upset to listen to calming suggestions for managing emotions
- Exhibit self-stimulatory behaviors (hand flapping, etc.)
In neutral times, when any child is not upset, you can talk to them about ways to keep their emotions from flaring up.
By learning to own their anxiety and frustration, they can get through it with a little patience or by taking things in smaller steps.
We have created several tip sheets that may help you get through these trying times.
High Functioning autism can be very challenging
High Functioning autism can be very challenging
High Functioning autism can be very challenging
On the one hand, you have the language and cognitive skills to be placed in a typical environment. On the other hand, you lack the social, communication, and executive functioning skills to function well when a change occurs.
At the same time, you may be coping with sensory overload, anxiety, or other issues that make bright lights, loud noises, and high expectations almost impossible to manage. When kids with autism, even high functioning kids, become extremely frustrated or angry, they often act out.
During times that you know a meltdown is likely, you can sometimes cut it off by talking with your child about it beforehand and discussing how they might avoid it this time. You might even want to offer a reward for doing so.
When your child finally learns to modulate themselves, the improved feeling of self-confidence will be its own reward, for both you and for them.
Watch the helpful videos in this section with your children so they can learn about their emotions and what they can do to try to help calm themselves before they get to the heightened stage.
Give your child "Rockin Happy Rocks Reward Token" you can purchase in our products section.
CALMING BOTTLES
When a child's emotions start to build hand them the calming bottle and have them shake it as hard as they want. This releases some of their anger. Then have them hold it as they watch the glitter slowly fall. It can be helpful to explain to them that their mind is like this bottle and the thoughts and the emotions they are having are like the glitter. When the mind is all shaken up with thoughts and emotions they can't think or see clearly, once it settles, they can. Let them know that all of us, children and adults, get upset and have to learn how to calm ourselves.
EMOTION TRACKERS ARE USEFUL
Don't forget to check out the Emotions Tracker we have created in our Help Tips Tools and Videos section. This tool many help many children each day to recognize their emotions from the descriptors.
Using the emotions board, at the beginning or end of each day have the child place the Rockin Happy Rock sticker on the feeling and definition of where they feel or felt they were at for the day. Sharing feelings with someone they trust can help you both find the solutions. If you see that a child or student are feeling troubled this would be the opportunity to have a conversation with them to help resolve any emotional issues before they become too big to handle.
TAKE A DEEPER LOOK AT HOW YOU CAN BE A PART OF THEIR FUTURE
At Rockin Happy Rocks, we are passionate about the awareness of Autism and Education. Our love for creativity inspires us to create unique and colorful learning materials through our hand painted rocks to promote our vision.
PEER INCLUSION - WE ALL HAVE HOPES AND DREAMS
We are grateful for people like you. Partnering with us can play a role in helping with Autism Awareness and Education. Help facilitate the lives of every autistic child to thrive for a better tomorrow.