Simple strategies you can use at home to help your child with autism understand their feelings and manage emotions in a healthy way.
Whether we realize it or not, we’re constantly regulating our emotions throughout the day.
Emotional regulation helps us calm down when we’re stressed or take a moment to think before reacting to a situation.
This process feels so natural for many adults that we often forget we had to learn and practice it as children. While emotional regulation can be challenging for any child, it can be especially difficult for children with autism or autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
In fact, children with autism are about four times more likely to experience something called emotional dysregulation.
Emotional dysregulation makes it harder for children to:
- Manage the intensity of their emotions
- Recognize their feelings
- Connect those feelings to the situation causing them
At Education Alternatives in Ohio, we know that emotional dysregulation can be overwhelming for both your child and your family. That’s why our specialized autism programs are focused on helping children develop the skills they need to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
But we also understand that the support doesn’t stop at school. As a parent, you play an essential role in helping your child with emotional regulation at home.
In this blog, we will break down everything you need to know about emotional dysregulation and share tips to help you support your child’s emotional growth at home.
What is emotional dysregulation, and why does it happen?
Emotional dysregulation is when individuals struggle to manage their emotional responses to the events around them.
For children with autism, emotional dysregulation is especially common because many of the factors that contribute to it are linked to the challenges they face.
These factors include:
- Brain function: An autistic child’s brain develops and processes information differently, making it more challenging to understand and react to emotions.
- Sensitivity to stimuli: Many children with autism are more sensitive to stimuli like bright lights, loud noises, or certain textures, which can easily overwhelm and upset them.
- Environment: Similar to other stimuli sensitivity, busy, loud, or unpredictable environments can make it difficult for children with autism to stay calm and regulate.
- Challenges with communication: Many children with autism have difficulty expressing what they need or how they feel, which can lead to frustration and emotional outbursts.
While children who are not on the autism spectrum also deal with emotional dysregulation, children with autism often experience it more intensely and frequently.
Because children with autism tend to need more support in managing emotions, it’s crucial for parents to be aware of the signs of emotional dysregulation and to know how they can help their child.
Signs of emotional dysregulation in children with autism
Every child experiences emotional dysregulation differently, but there are some common signs among children with autism:
- Frequent outbursts that may include screaming, crying, or harming themselves or others
- Difficulty calming down after an emotional outburst
- Extreme emotional reactions to situations that don’t seem to justify such an intense response
- Avoiding or withdrawing from situations that may cause overwhelm
By recognizing the signs early, you can take steps to support your child before emotional dysregulation becomes overwhelming. Luckily, there are many emotional regulation strategies you can use at home to help your child understand and manage their emotions in a healthy way.
Emotional regulation strategies you can use at home
Creating a supportive home environment is one of the best ways to help your child develop emotionally. With patience, consistency, and some simple strategies, you can make a big impact on your child’s emotional regulation skills.
Here are some essential tips to keep in mind:
- Create a calm space:
Take a moment to think about your spaces at home. Do they feel calm and balanced or chaotic and overwhelming?
A peaceful, calm environment is key to helping your child feel safe and regulated. Try to keep your home organized and clutter-free, and minimize sensory triggers, such as harsh fluorescent lights that could overwhelm them.
You could also consider designating a specific area of your home as a “calm zone.” It doesn’t have to be an entire room; a cozy corner in a quiet space works just as well.
Fill the “calm zone” with comfort items like soft pillows or a favorite stuffed animal, and include sensory-friendly tools like fidget toys to help your child self-soothe when they feel overwhelmed.
At EA Schools, each of our Ohio locations features calming sensory rooms where students with autism can relax and regulate their emotions.
For more ideas on creating your calm zone, check out our blog on calming sensory rooms for autism.
- Practice mindfulness:
Mindfulness activities are a great way to help children slow down, connect with their emotions, and regain a sense of calm.
Establishing a calming routine can be especially helpful for children experiencing emotional dysregulation because it gives them the tools to self-soothe and feel more in control.
Here are a few examples to get started:
- Deep breathing exercises encourage children to pause and calm a racing mind. “Belly-breathing” or the “4-7-8” technique is particularly effective.
- Stretching or yoga can release tension and improve focus.
- Creating a “feelings jar” where your child writes down or draws the emotions they are experiencing on a small piece of paper can help them better understand and identify their feelings.
Visual supports are especially beneficial when it comes to teaching mindfulness to children.
At EA, we especially like using “feelings charts,” which use faces or symbols to help your child identify how they feel before and after the mindfulness activity.
- Establish predictable routines at home:
The final emotional regulation strategy we want to highlight is the importance of routine and structure for children with autism.
Predictability provides a sense of security, reduces anxiety, and helps children manage their emotions more effectively.
Here are some practical ways to create a structured home routine:
- Make a visual daily schedule for your child that outlines the activities they will be doing throughout the day.
- Prepare your child for transitions throughout the day by informing them that they will change activities soon. This can be as simple as saying, “You have five more minutes to play outside before it’s time to eat lunch.”
- Create a calming bedtime routine that includes activities like reading a book or listening to soothing music.
Remember, every child is different. Emotional regulation strategies that work wonders for some children may not have the same effect on others.
It takes patience and consistency, but with time, you’ll find the right techniques to help your child stay emotionally regulated.
Managing emotions is a skill that takes practice, so stay persistent and celebrate every small win along the way.
Supporting emotional dysregulation and autism with a holistic approach
As we mentioned earlier, the best way to support your child with autism and emotional dysregulation is through a holistic approach that includes a combination of school-based interventions, outside therapies, and practical strategies you can use at home.
If you’re looking for additional therapeutic support, we recommend exploring evidence-based approaches like ABA (applied behavior analysis) therapy and occupational therapy.
Both methods are central to our Coral Autism program at EA Schools and allow us to support our students with autism who experience emotional dysregulation.
We understand that as a parent of a child with autism, you probably have a lot of first-person experience with emotional dysregulation and the challenges that come with it.
While it can sometimes feel overwhelming, remember the emotional regulation strategies you can use at home and that you’re not alone on this journey.
At EA Schools, we’ve specialized in supporting children with emotional dysregulation and autism for over twenty years.
We know our programs and expertise can make a meaningful difference in your child’s life.
If you’re an Ohio parent, contact us today to learn more about how we support children with autism and emotional dysregulation through our specialized programs.
Together, we can create a supportive environment at home and school where your child can grow, learn, and reach their full potential.
Did you find this article helpful? Check out our other blogs to learn more about alternative education and find valuable resources for your family!