Healing Through Forgiveness

Autistic Children – How To Prevent A Public Meltdown

28 July 2017 by Kurt Garrett

It is common for children with autism to have meltdowns. This emotional breakdown is an intense response to being overwhelmed by your current situation. This results in losing control and acting out.

As a parent of an autistic child, you must understand when your child is not just having a temper tantrum. Read on to find out how to prevent a public autism meltdown.

Prepare Your Child For Public Outings

You can minimize public meltdowns by preparing your child for public outings. It helps to explain to your autistic child where you are going and what will happen. Tell your child to notify you when feeling uncomfortable. At this point, you must make your child feel safe.

There are a variety of ways to comfort your child in this situation. You should stop what you are doing and give your child a hug. It also helps to bring things on the trip that provides your child with comfort. These things may include a teddy bear, blanket, cue cards, an electronic device or ear protectors. For example, if you take your child to a grocery store and the child gets bother by the noise, then you can give him or her ear protectors to put on.

Practice Before Leaving The House

It helps to get your child familiar with role playing for events outside of your home. If you are going to the grocery store, then you should practice what to do before leaving. You would start by practicing good behavior for the grocery store. Examples of good behavior are talking in low tones and being courteous to others. You have to rehearse the appropriate response when things do not go according to the plan with your child. Role playing can be applied to any public outing.

Get Your Child Involved In The Activity

It helps to get your child involved in the activity. If you are going to the grocery store, then you can have your child help with getting items off the shelf. Participating in the activity distracts your child from everything that is going on around him or her. Allowing your child to help gives them a sense of self-worth.

A child with special needs do not always have control over their behavior. You have to support your child and provide them with resources. It is important that your child learn how to express their feelings without acting out. This is possible with education on autism and access to the right tools.

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