Supporting Your Child Diagnosed With Asd During Uncertain Times

By Author: Tyler Moore
Total Articles: 5
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ABA Therapy in Dallas: How it May Help Through Difficult Circumstances

A pandemic occurring within our lifetime is not an event that anyone could have predicted. Abruptly, people were compelled to reevaluate the way they approached their health and safety. Quarantines were enforced, new habits were formed, and in many cases, school, work, and home life were rolled into one. These uncertain times can be extremely taxing on anyone, especially for children with Autism.

With an upheaval of their routines, new social rules, and more time at home, children diagnosed with ASD are saddled with the difficulty of adapting to these changes all at once. This is why now more than ever is the time to provide support to children and help them be better prepared for uncertainty brought on by sudden changes in lifestyle.

In-Home Therapy Approaches to Help Your Child Cope with Uncertainty

These uncertain times may be confusing for children with Autism. Disruptions in your child's comforting routines and rituals can be tough, but there are methods to support these changes and make them easier on your child. Here are ...
... seven approaches recommended to combat uncertainty.

1. Create Understanding— You can help your child adapt to lifestyle changes by applying in home ABA therapy resources such as visual supports, videos, social narratives, and timer apps. These tools help children learn new social rules, proper handwashing etiquette and mark the passage of time.

2. Engage expression — To understand your child's emotional state, engage in expression. This allows you to uplift, understand, and bond with them. Activities such as videography, art & crafts, journaling, and dancing can help them open up and have fun.

3. Promote mindfulness — Stress levels tend to be high when circumstances change too suddenly. Promoting mindfulness is a great way to support your child with calming coping mechanisms. Activities that may help can be yoga, meditation, breathing exercises, and listening to calming music or sounds.

4. Uphold Routines — Try to maintain a routine. Dealing with uncertainty can be hard, but utilizing tools such as visual schedules, sleep & wake apps, and task lists of daily activities can make it easier.

5. Establish new routines — New routines may need to be implemented with more time being spent at home. To alleviate the stress of a new schedule, try to limit screen time, use timer apps, offer choices, and create a space for work separate from play.

6. Nurture relationships — Social support is necessary during an uncertain time. To nurture relationships at a distance, you can use video chat apps, play games online, and use watch parties to help with your child's social needs.

7. Observe behavioral changes — Children with Autism may find it difficult to express their emotions verbally. To provide the best support for your child, always be aware of their behavior and observant of any changes, as this may indicate anxiety or depression. You may notice changes in their sleep patterns, appetite, agitation levels, and a lack of self-care. If you notice any changes in your child's behavior, experts of ABA therapy in Dallas may recommend contacting medical professionals to evaluate the situation further.