Children with autism tend to have difficulties interacting socially. That’s why they may act out or have a full meltdown when stressed, confused, afraid, and anxious about something.
Strategies To Calm Children With Autism
Different from tantrums, autism meltdowns are an intense response to overwhelming circumstances. The common triggers include changes in routine, sensory differences, communication difficulties, and anxiety. Getting overly anxious leads to a meltdown or involuntary coping mechanism. In this article, you’ll learn some effective strategies to calm children with autism. See below:
Have Your Child Wear A Weighted Vest
Vest can hold weight. This special vest designed for autistic children has pockets inside where you can place small ½ or ¼ pound weights. An anxious child with autism felt calmer and focused wearing a weighted vest because of the compression and weight, providing deep muscle and joint pressure that resembles a firm hug. Start with light weights and gradually increase them. Ensure that the vest is not more than 5 to 10% of the child’s body weight. Also, distribute the weight evenly throughout the vest to snugly fit the child’s body. Schedule your child to wear a weighted vest twice or thrice a day, no longer than 15 minutes for each instance.
Children with autism have difficulty processing sensory information. They can be under-reactive (hypersensitive) or over-reactive (hypersensitive). A weighted vest helps an autistic child calm down when feeling stressed because of the sensory input. It makes the child feel more comfortable,
Children with autism can benefit from wearing weighted vests, such as the following:
- Increase focus
- Reduce anxiety
- Improve communication
- Promote problem-solving skills
- Regulate emotions
- Increase body awareness
- Promote better coordination
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