All children have emotional meltdowns, breakdowns, outbursts and tantrums. At some point in everyone's lives, we have all been witness to a child having an emotional breakdown, whether it be your own child, a child you work with or a relative. Most typically developing children are able to express their emotions and frustrations. However, children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or other developmental disabilities may have more difficulty regulating their emotions and behavior. Some children who may not have enough language to verbalize their emotions, may also have a harder time expressing themselves and their frustrations appropriatly. This leads to the question- How can we help theses kids with emotional regulation? and What are the best strategies to implement when these breakdowns occur? We have some great tips, tricks and strategies that are specifically implemented in Atlas Behavior Solution's Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy! These can be used in your home, community, schools, daycare and beyond!
1. Reinforce Positive Behavior and Ignore Challenging Behavior
When the student is able to calm him/herself independently or with help from teachers reinforce her/him with behavior specific praise. Ignore the challenging behavior he/she exhibits as best as possible. After the student is calm, review what went well and brainstorm what could be done better in the future.
2. Use Precise, Simple Language
Speaking in short, precise utterances, with direct eye contact. Speaking in long repetitive sentences will do nothing but confuse the student.
3. Model Behavior
Practice self-calming strategies by modeling and role playing. Video modeling or social stories can also be great options for modeling behavior. Role playing gives the student opportunities to see the behavior as well as opportunities to practice.
4. Teach Skills and Strategies When Student Is Calm
It is hard to think of a new skill in the heat of the moment. Practicing skills and strategies while calm, increases focus and the likelihood that they will be used during a stressful/upsetting situation.
5. Help Express Emotions
Often times students do not have the words to describe their feelings. If you see the student getting visibly upset or frustrated give him/her the words to label his emotions by saying something like, "I see you crumpled your paper, it looks like you are feeling frustrated. You can say, ‘I’m feeling frustrated’.” Another option if the student is having trouble verbalizing or labeling his/her emotions in the moment would be to create a stoplight to tape onto their desk. Red- “I need a break” Yellow- Use a coping strategy Green- "I am calm."
6. Offer a Distraction
Put the student on task, by having them complete a simple motor activity that does not require language (even a verbal child may be unable to communicate once they are escalated). Examples include: coloring, squeezing objects, sorting items.
7. Teach Hobbies
Teach the student leisure skills or hobbies that they can engage in when they begin to escalate and need to “take a break”. Examples include drawing, writing in a journal, doing a crossword puzzle etc.
8. Close Eyes and Imagine a Better Situation
Encourage student to close their eyes and imagine a peaceful scene. The teacher or parent will narrate a peaceful scene (or remain quiet if the child prefers). For example, “We’re at the beach watching the waves go in and out…in and out…in and out. The sky is so blue, and the sun feels good on your face”.
9. Use Breathing Beads or A Calming Bottle
-Breathing Beads are a bracelet/fidget with different sized beads, the student takes a deep breath with each bead as they work their way around the circle. The entire circle takes about 60 seconds to get through, and by then they should be starting to calm down.
-A Calming Bottle can be made with a water bottle oil, water and sparkles or beads. Have the student shake the bottle when upset and then watch the sparkles/beads settle to calm. Create the bottle together for better student buy-in.
10. Fast/Slow
Have the student complete simple motor actions very quickly, and then very slow. Examples include rubbing hands together, squeezing thighs with palm of hands, making and releasing fists, etc.