Autism Behavior Solutions
loudly , clapping his / her hands ; or extremely upset with a very dramatic reaction because he / she is unable to watch a video they have watched more than 30 times . The child is deeply passionate about this video and he / she is highly expressive about their desire to see it !
Most of the time we are able to deal with the overly dramatic ( happy ) expression of passion — unless it ’ s in a quiet movie theater or library . With a little redirection , perhaps a break outside for a minute or two , the use of a squishy toy regulator , a heavy weighted blanket , or a sip of a favorite drink , this dramatic happiness can be contained .
It ’ s the over-dramatic expression that looks aggressive , anxious , frustrated , or confused that worries us — and tells us a simple redirection may not work this time . So , I advise parents to learn to work with the program
When My Worries Get Too Big by Kari Dunn . It provides insightful advice to help your son or daughter develop some coping strategies for dealing with anxiety , confusion , fear , and frustration . Then there is also
The Incredible Five-point Scale by Kari Dunn that can help .
The first strategy helps to identify the problem and then provides a specific activity to be done when that problem arises . ( When I lose my book , I can ask for help . When I don ’ t understand , I can raise my hand . When it ’ s too noisy , I can ask to take a break . When I am worried , I can count to five and take three deep breaths .) Keep these strategies in sight and go over them daily . You can even post them somewhere in the home or in a child ’ s binder at school where they can easily access it .
The Incredible Five-Point Scale has you work with your son or daughter to understand that there are different levels of worry and anxiety when dealing with a problem , so different levels of support might be needed .
� I am happy ; everything is going alright this morning . I can follow my schedule
� I can ’ t find my socks ; I ask mom for help and I find them . Or , I am ready to eat my cereal but the box is empty . I will have to make a different choice . This could be a level three , but again , I have cereal and we could buy some of the other ( my initial choice ) later . So , I do have another choice for now , and I just need to be a little patient
� A level four problem has the child worried and very anxious ; he / she is pacing as the bus is late for school . In this case , the scenario may play out in the following way : Mom has to ask me to take some deep breaths and go watch a favorite video while she calls transportation . She comes back and lets me know that the bus is on its way but will be late . I can watch my favorite video until it arrives
The first strategy helps to identify the problem and then provides a specific activity to be done when that problem arises .
� A level five is a red-hot problem and has the child ready to blow . There isn ’ t a quick fix .