Today’s post is the third in a four part series about sensory meltdowns, their triggers, and strategies parents can use to help their children cope with them. In this entry, guest blogger Amy Stout talks about how to evaluate triggers in the external environment, your child, and the temperature to locate and cope with triggers. Click on these links to read Part 1 and Part 2.

Sensory Meltdowns: Triggers and Coping Strategies,
Part 3

Evaluate the External Environment

There might be something outside of your home that is causing your child significant anxiety.

• Do you live near an airport?
• Do you live near a military base?
• Do you live near railroad tracks?
• Do you live near a police or fire station?
• Are there dogs barking quite often in your neighborhood?
• Does someone play music loudly outside your home?
• Is there a tornado siren station near your home?

Strategy: Setting your child’s expectations is key to your child being able to cope with these types of public services that can catch your child off guard.

• Show your child a picture of what the item is. Explain what or why the thing is important. Chart the expected time that your child might hear the sound. Give your child coping strategies and permission to use them. (Example: It’s okay if you want to cover your ears or put your headphones on.)
• Role play with toys. (Example: A fire truck siren goes off, because the fireman wants to keep us safe and take care of our house.)
• Assure your children they are safe. (Examples: Dogs are behind fences. Policemen will take care of you. Trains are just passing through. Airplanes are taking people to vacation.)

Evaluate Your Child

Take a look at your child.

• Eliminate the possibility that they are hurt.
• Eliminate the possibility that they are hungry or thirsty.
• Are they trying to communicate something to you?
• Take notice of their toys. What kind of play were they involved in? Does it tell you anything?
• Have they recently read a book or watched a TV show or news that may have frightened them and they are continually replaying it over in their mind?
• Does your child have any phobias?

Strategy: Be aware of your children and their surroundings. Meet their physical needs to eliminate those from the checklist of things that could be causing discomfort.

Evaluate Your Schedule

• Do you possibly have too many activities scheduled?
• Does your child get enough time with you?
• Is there enough time between activities to ensure you are not rushing your child?
• Does your child WANT to be involved in external activities?
• Are the activities a good fit for your child’s talents and gifts?
• Are other children at the activities supportive of your child?
• Is the activity an emotional “safe place” for your child?

Strategy: Many children have difficulty with transition. They have difficulty processing the unknown. It is very important that you allow enough time for things to be as unrushed as possible. You will need to let your child know what to expect and give them many reminders that you will be leaving soon, time to get shoes on, etc. If your child needs a transitional/comfort item, allow it and do not belittle for having one.

What Can You Add about Sensory Meltdowns?

Do you have some strategies to add in these categories? If so, leave a comment. If you have the time, mosey on over to Amy’s website, http://histreasuredprincess.blogspot.com, to read more posts about life with a child who has autism. And come back tomorrow for the final post in this series.

Part One
Part Two
Part Three
Part Four

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