With expectations at school revving up, finding ways to lower stress in kids with special needs can make a huge difference in their lives. Child psychologist, mom, and guest blogger Liz Matheis is here with 4 ideas for parents and kids.

4 After School Tips to Lower Stress in Kids with Special Needs

The end of the school day is a very difficult time for an anxious or traumatized child. It and other transition times like the end of the school year, the beginning of summer, and the return to the school year are all difficult and highly anxiety-provoking.

Once the school year begins, the end of the school day signifies being able to let go. You might think this would be a time to relax. But for many parents and children, it is a time of extreme agitation, meltdowns, and loud volume. This is a very painful time, both physically and emotionally. Parents anticipate the meltdowns and become anxious themselves. Many parents don’t know how to handle this time of the day and end up trying to give their child treats, surprises, and other ways to create distraction and keep him happy. By now, you’ve realized that this doesn’t work. So let’s discuss a few strategies to help you lower stress in kids with special needs.

Tip #1: Take it Home

Many parents feel that it is to their children’s benefit to stay on the playground and get the energy out that they haven’t had a chance to use. Although this sounds great in theory, the truth is, playing on the playground is even more dysregulating and overstimulating for our anxious children. Your best bet is to take them home and let the decompression time begin to lower stress in kids with special needs.

Tip #2: Keep it Quiet

Many parents feel that at the end of the day, they want to know about their children’s day. However, those questions can be overwhelming to kids whose heads are filled with information, demands, commands, and rules to follow. It will serve you well to not start conversation and hold off on the questions.

Tip #3: Create a Quiet Corner

When you finally arrive at home, create a quiet corner for kids. Furnish it with dimmed lighting, a comfortable chair or bean bag, a weighted blanket, soft music or no music, and quiet activities to work on such as coloring or reading. This is a place where children can get the noise out of their heads and decompress. Liken it to your ride home from work, or relaxing on the couch after a long day at work.

Tip #4: Fill ‘er Up

Often times, children are very hungry at the end of the school day. This further negatively impacts emotions and behavior. Children don’t always recognize that hunger can lead to strong feelings of anger, agitation, and anxiety. When kids comes home, provide them with a protein-filled snack to stabilize blood sugar and mood. For younger children, Pediasure might be the quickest way to achieve this goal, especially for picky eaters who likely won’t tolerate fruits, veggies or nut butters.

It’s hard to manage children with anxiety or trauma on a daily basis. So give yourself and your child a break by using these after school tips to lower stress in kids with special needs. Save bonding time for once children have decompressed and are better regulated. Although that may mean less time finding out about their school day, your overall house will be calmer and less stressful for all of you.

How Do You Lower Stress in Kids with Special Needs and Anxiety?

Do you have other tips you use to lower stress in kids with special needs and anxiety? Share them in the comment box!

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