Calming Techniques

Calming Techniques

In order to understand what calming techniques will work,
you will first need to determine what things excite them, and
have some understanding of the context in which they are
throwing a tantrum.

Make sure your child knows what the expectations are, do not
confuse the issue with trying to talk to him/her about things
at a time when they are already upset.

1. Try to redirect them to an alternative activity,
something that they enjoy, if this does not stop the tantrum -

2. Tell them to stop. Don’t add any extras, just STOP,
calming and directly.

3. If they don’t stop, provide some physical redirection to
an area where they can calm down. It can be very effective to
call this their SAFE place. It may include a bean-bag chair,
where they can sit. But, eliminate any extras in the area,
such as toys, or other preferred items. If they don’t
voluntarily go to their SAFE place, physically escort them there.

4. Tell them they must be calm for 5 minutes before they
can get up.

This may seem like a overly simple process in order to deal
with what may be a challenging behavior.

The key is to be consistent, so that they will always know
what is coming?

If the child is in school, try to provide this program across
all environments.

It is amazing how many children will actually learn to go to
their SAFE place independently, as a way for them to control
themselves.

We want them to self-monitor their behavior and show them that
we believe they have the ability to calm themselves down.

• Remove them from the area in which the tantrum is
taking place

• Recognize the signs that your child is becoming upset
and intervene prior to a tantrum

• Create an environment that is calming to them

The Parenting Autism Resource Guide: A Complete Resource Guide For Parents Who Have Children Diagnosed With Autism.