Autism Calming Strategies and Techniques

When it comes to handling autism meltdowns or sensory meltdowns, we as parents need to have calming strategies and techniques. While some may be adapted from what we use with neurotypical children, generally speaking there are some autism calming strategies and techniques that may work better.

How to Find Autism Calming Strategies that Work

You, as a parent, know your child best. Yes, we may get tired of hearing that and yes– we may even get tired of saying that. But it’s true. Aside from our child, we are the ones who usually know them best.

And why is that?

Because, we spend so much of our time with them. We see them on a daily basis. We have come to know, perhaps even predict, what may set off a sensory meltdown. We can list off our child’s autism meltdown triggers without missing a beat.

So how do we find the strategies to help?

• Utilize what we already know
• Ask our child’s therapists for suggestions
• Ask fellow parents for suggestions

Use your support network and draw on the experience of others. For example, one of these five calming strategies for autism may work for you. Or it may not. You may want to be in the direction of helping your child help themselves. And in that case? I would suggest one of these self-calming strategies for autism.

I would also encourage you to check out the Calming Strategies cards in the Autism Family Guide

You can also implement visual cards and cues like my calming strategies, my sensory calming strategies or you can create a calm down corner in your home. There are other steps you can take, of course, to create an overall calming environment for your autistic child.

More Strategies and Techniques for Calming an Autistic Child

Once you have learned how to identify the triggers for your child’s meltdowns, you can begin to develop calming strategies for them and by setting up a visual schedule, you’ll provide some predictability. You’ll find both the Calming Strategies cards and my Daily Routine starter set in the Autism Family Guide!

Another simple tip?

Routine and structure are so important for autistic children and it will help ease the day-to-day anxiety. You are providing them with stability and with predictability on so many levels.