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The effects of a sensory diet are usually immediate and cumulative. Generally, a youngster whose nervous system is causing him to be hyperactive needs more calming input, while the youngster who is more under-active or sluggish needs more arousing input. In the same way that you may soak in a hot tub to relax, kids on the autism spectrum need to engage in stabilizing, focusing activities, too.Įach ASD youngster has a unique set of sensory needs. A “sensory diet” is a carefully designed, personalized activity plan that provides the sensory input an autistic child needs to stay focused and organized throughout the day. Just as a youngster needs food throughout the course of the day, he needs sensory input – and opportunities for getting away from stimulation – spread out over the whole day.
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This is most often accomplished by employing a sensory diet.
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#AUTISM MELTDOWN STRATEGIES HOW TO#
CBT is one example of an effective therapy for managing emotions.Ĭhildren with High-Functioning Autism usually do not have sensory systems that regulate automatically rather, they must discover how to keep themselves regulated. Managing felt emotions does not come automatically, but can be learned over time with systematic instruction.
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Most often, the youngster's feelings are way too big for the situation. The three major interventions that are usually most effective in preventing a meltdown from manifesting in children with High-Functioning Autism (HFA) include (1) managing emotions, (2) a sensory diet to maintain optimal sensory regulation, and (3) visual supports. How to Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
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