Alee Behavioral Healthcare

Emotional regulation is something that we all struggle with – even into adulthood. However, the way in which we regulate our emotions varies on a case-by-case basis – and the same can be said for children with autism and related disorders. Many children with autism use ‘stimming’ as a form of emotional regulation, so you may already be familiar with the term. In this guide, we’ll break down exactly what stimming is, and the steps you can take to support your child. What is Stimming? Stimming is short for self-stimulating and refers to repetitive behaviors/actions carried out by individuals as a form of emotional regulation or self-soothing. While seemingly ‘random’, they provide the individual with a sense of comfort, especially when they feel overwhelmed. According to Autism.Org, Typically stimming behaviors could include: ·          Arm flapping ·          Finger-flicking ·          Rocking ·          Jumping ·          Spinning ·          Twirling ·          He

Children with autism spectrum disorder often have particular food preferences. Chicken nuggets, crackers, macaroni and cheese, and bread tend to be foods that these kids accept and love.   Gently expanding that list of foods can be excellent for nutrition and getting new sensory experiences.   Here are some ways to get started: Present a new food. But take away the pressure of eating it!   Eating a new type of food can be an over stimulating sensory experience. New smells, colors, textures, and tastes can be too much all at once. Place the novel food on the child’s plate without the expectation that they’ll eat it. Tolerating the food on their plate is a significant first step for exposure to new foods. If it is too much to have it on their plate, keep putting it on yours until they are more acclimated to it. Play with your food! “Don’t play with your food” is outdated, especially for kids with special needs. Children with ASD benefit significantly from having a positive exper