Link April 2018 Volume 27 Issue 2 | Page 41

feature social hierarchy , friendship , taking advice , managing anger and anxiety , handwriting , knowing what someone is thinking , avoiding being teased or bullied , showing as much affection as other people expect , coping with sudden noises or intensity of light or certain tactile experiences , and organising their time and belongings .
These challenges can make school a very difficult place to be . The child may react by becoming angry and oppositional , withdrawn and depressed , arrogant and wilful , or they may retreat into fantasy . A key part of helping create success for the child or teenager with autism is to assist them to understand and manage their emotional responses . A lot of behavioural problems can be understood as communication from the child about an environment that is not suiting them .
Tips for emotions management for children and teens with ASD include : Know the child ’ s triggers , for a child on the spectrum these usually include change , both minor and major , transitions , certain sensory experiences , shouting , and the words ‘ no ’ and ‘ wait ’.
Take time to understand their rise to high levels of anger or anxiety . The child is unlikely to tell you what they are feeling at low levels of emotion so learn to read the signs in their behaviour , body and , sometimes , face to tell you .
Develop a menu of activities that will assist the child to calm down before they reach ‘ meltdown ’. These should include both physical activities for the high levels of energy that come with anger , and
Challenges within autism can make school a very difficult place to be .
relaxation activities to assist the that you love them , whether this be person to calm down on the rise in words , physical affection , quality towards a meltdown . time spent together , or talking . Do As much as possible create structure this often . and routine for the child ’ s day .
For more information about Organise a retreat space at school succeeding with teenagers and where the child can go to when they helping children and teenagers with are feeling overwhelmed either
ASD manage their strong emotions , socially or in a sensory way . go to the Minds & Hearts website for
Teach the child from a young age information about upcoming events about emotions both in themselves and clinical services . and others , including the different levels of emotion , a vocabulary for
Dr Michelle Garnett has 25 years ’ these different levels and how to feel experience in the autism field . She these emotions in their body . wrote the first screening tool for
Introduce your child to yoga Asperger ’ s syndrome in 1999 . She and / or meditation for increased opened Minds & Hearts in 2005 in mind and body awareness and recognition of the vast community strategies to stay centred during need for expertise about ASD . She overwhelming experiences . completed her PhD in autism in 2007
Decrease social confusion and has since co-authored three by providing the unwritten rules books on the subject , with Prof of social conduct , and social
Tony Attwood . She became a yoga explanations where needed in a noncondescending and respectful way . further increase her skill in assisting
and meditation teacher in 2014 to
Celebrate their strengths and people on the spectrum to manage differences . Affirm them daily . difficult emotions . She is a regular If you are a parent , find the way practitioner of yoga and meditation . that your child best understands www . mindsandhearts . net linkonline . com . au autism
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