My Aspergers Child: How should I deal with my son’s emotional outbursts?

18.6.09

How should I deal with my son’s emotional outbursts?

Question

How should I deal with my son’s emotional outbursts?

Answer

Emotional outbursts are very common in children with
Asperger’s Syndrome. Also referred to as rages or meltdowns,
these events can be frightening for the child and everyone
present. Children of all ages (and even adults) with
Asperger’s must take precautions to help prevent reaching
the stage of losing complete control. There are several
Asperger’s characteristics that can cause these emotional
outbursts.

To help your son control these emotional outbursts you’ll
have to discover the reasons behind the outbursts. The
answer will depend upon the cause or causes.

Possible Causes

* Social issues. Children with Asperger’s have problems
with social communication and situations. Being in a social
situation can be extremely uncomfortable and can lead to an
emotional breakdown.

* Sensory issues. Hyposensitivity and hypersensitivity to
light, sound, touch, smell, and visual activities can
quickly become overwhelming, sending the child with
Asperger’s spiraling out of control.

* Emotional awareness. Children with Asperger’s do not
always understand their own emotions or feelings about
people, things, and situations.

There are a few things you can try that may help with your
son’s emotional outbursts. You will want to contact your
son’s physician to discuss the use of medication therapy or
counseling and to check his general health.

Management Options

* Behavior modification. Help your son pinpoint any
stressors that cause outbursts.

1. Adapt the use of redirection to avoid an outburst.
2. Create a safe zone that is a calming place to relax and
regain control.
3. Use rewards to encourage self-control.

* Family and individual counseling. Counseling can help
you understand the feelings your son is struggling with and
can give you the knowledge you need to develop a plan for him.
Counseling can help your son understand why he loses control
which can lead to better control and prevention.

* Medication. Your son may need help with anxiety and
depression or other emotional issues that can be improved
with the appropriate medicines.

There are books available that will increase your
understanding on the issues your son experiences on a daily
basis. “My Aspergers Child: How to Stop Meltdowns”
by Mark Hutten, M.A. is a great resource for you to utilize.
You can find it here: My Aspergers Child.

This book offers solutions and practical advice for home and
for school and helps the child with Asperger’s, as well as
those around him.

Educating yourself on the causes and treatments for these
extreme emotions will benefit both you and your son.

0 comments:

My child has been rejected by his peers, ridiculed and bullied !!!

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The standard disciplinary techniques that are recommended for “typical” teenagers do not take into account the many issues facing a child with a neurological disorder. Violent rages, self-injury, isolation-seeking tendencies and communication problems that arise due to auditory and sensory issues are just some of the behaviors that parents of teens with Aspergers will have to learn to control.

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Although they may vary slightly from person to person, children with Aspergers tend to have similar symptoms, the main ones being:

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