Children with Autism find expressing their emotions extremely challenging, so when it comes to anger they are no different. Your child may express themselves in negative or aggressive ways, for example screaming, hitting/kicking, verbal insults, swearing or head banging. These behaviours show that your child is frustrated.
And understandably as a parent you just want to help your child feel OK again, right?
Well, once you’ve recognised what it is that your child is feeling and their need, you’re one step closer to helping them.
The next step is to decide on an appropriate technique that your child can do themselves for approximately 1 minute to ease their frustration. For example, jump on the trampoline (on their own), pop/ jump on large bubble wrap, scream into a wardrobe or punch their pillow.
After this you will need to make up a short and simple “social story” about being frustrated/angry, you can put it together in a small booklet if you think your child will respond better.
Here is a simple outline of a “social story” related to feeling angry/ frustrated.
- My name is ………. and just like everyone else I can feel angry sometimes.
- It is OK to feel angry.
- When I am angry I can jump on my trampoline.
- This will help me feel better
- When I am finished, I will feel happy again.
You will introduce the social story to your child when they are calm, read through it with them and share ideas. (Preferably do this more than once) Then whenever your child is beginning to feel angry or frustrated you give them their story to read themselves.
Be sure to make the social story booklet look appealing to your child, photos and pictures can be used. In some cases children have responded well to seeing photos their own face pulling an angry and happy expression or using the child’s own drawings with captions.
So get creative today and make up a social story and please let me know how you and your child get on!
Speak with you soon, until then
Live every moment, Love beyond words and make a difference today!
Emma Ottaway
The Autism Support Specialist
