Regulation and Coping Strategies

It is completely normal for people to get upset, and with a diagnosis of autism, that upset feeling can be intensified. By using a variety of coping skills and strategies, children can learn to calm themselves and quickly re-regulate.

Imagine this example. A child is in ABA therapy, and they become upset because they have to share with a sibling. Instead of kicking or screaming, the child remembers their coping strategies and calms down independently.

Now, coping strategies need to be long term habits. They cannot be taught only in moments of upset. These strategies need to be a daily practice, practiced 1:1 over and over again. This can be done with short meditations, daily deep breathing, or moments of calm.

A BCBA should be able to develop a plan which teaches the child the necessary skills and strategies to calm down, but this practice can begin now. Parents can learn the same strategies and practice when a team is not present.

Sometimes we all need a moment of calm.