Nelle's Strategies
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”.
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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.
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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!
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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.
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Dissolving ½ cup of Epsom Salts in your Asperger child's bath will help them relax, as they absorb the magnesium sulphate.
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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.
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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!
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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 washing powder in your clothes; offer new foods of a similar texture/ consistency of their favourites.
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