Strategies
Sensory Detective ® Program. Announcing an innovative new program for children on the Autism Spectrum.
I'm delivering Sensory Detective ® classes at Mind Mattrz Psychology Clinic and Centre for Autism, Marcoola Qld.
Research shows that sensory sensitivities are at the heart of all behaviours displayed by our Asperger children, however we often misread these instinctive reactions as “bad” behaviour.
The 8 week program is designed to give you and your child an individualized understanding of your child’s sensory profile. Over the course of the group, your child will be introduced to the seven senses and use their detective skills to discover their unique sensory profile. Once their sensory profile is established, they will then each develop their own “coping plan”. They will then make their own sensory detective pack, consisting of a variety of individualized tools and products to help them cope and/or manage with sensory overload. Please call Amanda or Michelle on 07 5446-3790 at Mind Mattrz to register your Asperger child today.
If you're hosting Christmas festivities this year make sure you have a "chill-out zone" for your Asperger child. And if, like me, grandparents, aunts or uncles aren't "Asperger friendly" (or don't believe it's a real condition!) meet them at the front door & tell them you're having an Asperger's Christmas this year as this is what your son/daughter needs. If they can't or won't play by your rules then don't allow them in. Your Aspie son/daughter has a right to enjoy Christmas day without being chastised or scolded. I did this one year (nearly scared myself silly!!) but from that point on no one teased, goaded or picked on our son for just being himself at Christmas time. Courage folks!!!!
Shopping with an Asperger child at Christmas time -not a good idea! Aspies experience "referred mood" which means they pick up all the excitement, stress, anticipation and busy-ness of all the other shoppers. This frightens and overwhelms them. Find a family member, neighbour, school mum, church member or other Aspie mum who can look after your kids while you shop and vice versa.
As Christmas day approaches your Asperger child's behaviour may deteriorate - they don't deal well with anticipation or waiting and they usually pick up on your stress and 'busy-ness' that comes with this time of year. Try building a cubby out of sheets/blankets & a couple of chairs, either in their room or on the pergola - this can become their dark/quiet safe-space. Get creative by recalling what you liked as a kid!
Children with Aspergers are very honest and this can lead them to making provocative statements or comments, which could inflame tempers in others, causing them to lash out and leaving the ASD child bewildered by what he sees as an unprovoked attack. Try to practice what's appropriate and what's not.
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Our Asperger child's teachers should be mindful of the fact that all social interaction has a cumulative effect on our AS kids and they should be aware that this will affect the outcome of group activities, seating arrangements and buddy systems. Offering teachers a gentle reminder of this 'nuance' of Aspergers each term can be helpful.
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Asperger children dislike having hair brushed, washed or cut. Problems occur because they have very sensitive scalps, so brushing and washing causes pain. Try a wide-toothed comb that doesn't touch the scalp, and gentle massage for hair washing. Hair cut distress can be from feeling each hair being cut (e.g. like blunt scissors feels on our hair) and the change in weight of their hair causes sensory distress. Discuss these issues with your child.
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Regularly check for comprehension of language with your ASD child – they may understand the “literal” meaning but not the abstract or implied meaning. Once Asperger children learn to examine language this way, they will often enjoy the humour behind a “play on words”.
Visual organisers are fantastic for your Asperger child's:
- before school routine;
- personal hygiene routine; and
- home chore routine
promoting organization skills, and enhanced learning.
Hot weather for an Asperger child leads to overload and to meltdowns. Consider installing an air conditioner. Otherwise, be creative with water activities.
If you can't swim in a pool, fill up the bath and use it for regular dips during the day. Sit on wet towels with a fan directed towards you. Wash the car, the dog or the windows (outside). Put the sprinkler on, play with water-bombs, or have games with water pistols. (Your child may not like water spraying on their face, but may be able to tolerate it on the rest of their body).
For me hot days means lots of washing the next day (my son can't tolerate wet clothes on), but I'd rather wash than deal with meltdowns!
Giving your Asperger child a gentle head massage, concentrating on the back of the head and behind the ears, will de-stress and calm them. If they don't like to be touched, appeal to their intelligence – “This will help your brain relax” Try working this in to your daily routine.
Dissolving ½ cup of Epsom Salts in your Asperger child's bath will help them relax, as they absorb the magnesium sulphate.
Modelling appropriate conversation skills isn't enough – be specific. Talk to your Asperger child about cues to join a conversation e.g. body language (head and shoulders inclined towards you, eye contact); a lift in tone that indicates the speaker is finished and waiting for a response; or a drop in tone to indicate the speaker has finished.
2 minute stress buster. To redirect escalating behaviours from your Asperger child, use a right-brain activity e.g. recite the alphabet backwards; count backwards (use a challenging age-appropriate number to start with) or recite a tongue-twister. It works!
For sensory sensitive Asperger children remove tags from clothing; opt for natural fibres; put their socks on inside out; encourage the use of sunglasses; monitor the 'volume' of your child's environment e.g. TV, radio etc; if a young child/infant pulls away from you check your scent i.e. perfume, deodorant, mouthwash or the scent of washing powder in your clothes; offer new foods of a similar texture/ consistency of their favourites.