Stress and Anxiety with-in the family network.

All children (and adults) at some point in time regardless of their situation, be it a ‘long-term or short-term’ capacity will struggle in relation to excessive nervousness, stress, agitation, restlessness, sleep issues, muscle aches and pains, and many more…..

Being aware of how all medical and physical conditions can be debilitating in many different ways, we can also be understanding of the ongoing support and adjustments required to help assist the ailing person.

When a family network includes an autistic child, there are additional considerations that need to be addressed, some may cause stress and upheaval not only to that child, but also to other family members.

If we are able to validate and understand 'all' emotional experiences that could occur, we have a better starting point for setting out a plan, based around each personal situation and needs.

By making out a list of different general day-to-day situations and behavioural patterns that occur,

we can then evaluate what “may” happen, to then replace it with what “should” happen;

-eg- from outburst/meltdown to happy/placid.

-this is best dealt with as soon as possible in a calm and sensitive manner.

Assuring the family network as a whole can run smoothly will also help alleviate any unnecessary emotional spirals and peaks. There is no set-in-stone rock-solid tried-and-true remedies we all have to find the best results for our own situation; being on board and willing to find answers will bring the best results.

Forming a stable routine roster where all family members are involved, know their responsibilities and expectations, allowing visual displays for the autistic child to make it easier to understand. Using a precise structured routine, remembering not to push or rush them into processing new and different experiences before they are able to cope with any changes, enabling them to process everything at their own pace.

We also need to acknowledge that all people can have an 'off' day and how we respond to this can be the difference between emotional imbalance or calm stability.

Due to coping with their heightened sensory input, our special needs kids are in need of a more calm stable and balanced environment. We also need to build resources to stabilise our own emotions when our child's emotions begin to escalate, this will help assist our child quickly return to a calm state.

What do we do when our child is unsettled and out of control?

Always give emotional comfort to our child to help them stabilise and then afterwards show them that we still care for them, by explaining we understand that it is the 'behaviour' we are unhappy with not our child, this will help acknowledge the situation for what it is on a whole.

Being able to acknowledge any reactions from sensory sensitivities are true and valid, from any sensory areas such as taste with different food reactions, sound with loud sudden noises, visual with glaring lights, different textures can result in uncomfortable feeling on the skin;

The reaction results are the cause of sensory upheaval and imbalance, described as Sensory Sensitivity and Dysregulation. Symptoms can be assisted to ease/alleviate with the use of different Sensory Products.

The use of specific weighted items are beneficial in helping to minimise many related symptoms, something as simple as a “stress” fiddle-ball/bag or maybe a lavender/wheat heat pillow, or a weighted blanket, may help to distract or calm the emotions or sensory nerve ends.

My facebook page Nanna’s Touch –quilts and sensory products can help you to access and purchase the different types of products available, and something to suit their personal needs.

to gain more support and assistance please contact us directly

or attend our local parent's coffee/chat get-together for more help.