When ASD children experience emotional issues, what can parents do? Let’s take a look at how parents should manage the emotional outbursts of autistic children in their daily lives.
Emotional management strategies for ASD children:
1. Sensory Compensation
When a child wants to express excited or agitated emotions, teach the child to choose appropriate, non-offensive, and socially acceptable ways to replace behaviors that may disturb others or lead to rejection.
For example, when an autistic child is feeling joyful and excited, they may scream loudly or push others. At this time, parents can place a stress-relief fidget toy in the child’s pocket and instruct the child that when feeling very excited, they can fidget with the toy in their pocket. This sensory compensation provided by the toy satisfies the autistic child’s sensory needs and helps prevent negative behaviors.
2. Use of Charts
Based on the child’s abilities, visually display the activities the child needs to do throughout the day on a chart. This helps the child understand their daily schedule, know what is happening and what will happen next, and reduces the child’s anxiety about unknown tasks.
3. Enhance the Child’s Vocabulary
Parents can teach the child more emotion-related vocabulary so that the child can express their needs and feelings more accurately, thus improving the child’s communication skills. This way, parents can better understand the child’s emotional state and provide timely support.
For instance, when a child is struggling with a problem they cannot solve alone, parents can demonstrate using phrases like “I can’t do it”, “Please help”, “I need help,” to encourage the child to ask for assistance.
4. Create a Supportive Learning and Living Environment
At home, parents should create a warm and harmonious family atmosphere, maintain a positive attitude towards the child, and implement a unified disciplinary method gently yet firmly among family members.
At school, parents should communicate more with teachers to ensure classmates do not discriminate or exclude the child. Show more understanding and patience towards them, and create a tolerant and friendly learning environment.
5. Targeted Sensory Training
Some autistic children are sensitive to certain sounds and lights due to sensory impairments, which can lead to emotional issues. By providing targeted training in these areas, the impact of sensory impairments on the child’s emotions can gradually be minimized.
Finally, caregivers and professionals working with autistic children are encouraged to raise more awareness and educate the public about autism, promoting acceptance and support for autistic children. Creating a more inclusive and understanding environment is beneficial for the emotional management of autistic children.
