Autism affects each person in different ways. Some children will need help with daily living activities and managing unwanted behavior, while others will need help socializing and building healthy relationships. Coping skills for autism give your child the developmental skills they need to lead a full and happy life. Counseling and behavior analysis can help therapists determine which skills your child needs and form a treatment plan to develop these skills.
At Camp Worth, we build healthy autism coping skills for teens aged eleven to seventeen who are frustrated and acting out with bad behavior. We understand that no two autism diagnoses are the same, and we will form a custom treatment program based on your child’s individual needs. To learn more about our counseling and behavior analysis and other beneficial programs at Camp Worth, call 855.915.2545 today or fill out our online contact form.
What Are Coping Skills for Autism?
Children with autism do not have the proper skills to say when they are hurting or feeling angry or sad. They do not understand these emotions, which can cause them to act out. Over time, your child will develop certain coping skills to relieve stress and discomfort. These are repetitive physical actions or stimming that your child will use to cope with their feelings.
Some common stimming behaviors include:
- Hand flapping
- Spinning
- Rocking back and forth
- Shaking their head
- Tapping
These repetitive actions will help you recognize when your child is getting upset and be able to mitigate their bad behavior. At Camp Worth, we will help you and your teen build effective coping skills for autism to cope with bad behavior and stressful situations. They will develop these skills and practice them with their peers under close supervision.
Autism Coping Skills to Benefit Teens
Coping skills can be anything from physical activity, writing, practicing meditation, or many other healthy techniques. It can be anything that distracts them from their racing thoughts and gives them something else to focus on, like a favorite toy or listening to music. Children who develop and practice their coping skills early on will have an easier time remembering these skills and using them to benefit their interaction with others.
Some of the autism coping skills for teens that will benefit their development are:
- Exercise – Exercise is a great coping skill that can be anything from running around the yard or play area to going on a hike or bike ride or simply walking up and down the stairs. The physical exertion will distract them from their thoughts and get rid of that pent-up energy.
- Deep breathing – Breathing exercise is a mindfulness technique that can help calm racing minds and allow your teen to focus and talk about their feelings calmly. Slow, methodic breathing is very calming and lowers racing heartbeats, reduces stress, and can help them concentrate.
- Counting – Counting is another helpful coping skill for teens when they are upset. Have your teen count slowly to ten, then ask them what made them upset.
- Using visual aids – When you notice your teen beginning to feel stressed or act out, you can help them sort their feelings by using visual aids. Make colorful signs with facial expressions depicting an emotion like sadness, anger, or confusion. Have them pick how they are feeling to help them focus on why they are feeling that way.
Choose Camp Worth to Help Your Teen Develop Coping Skills for Autism
At Camp Worth, we help teen boys and girls develop new coping skills and practice them in a safe and encouraging environment with their peers. They will build on their skills and learn new autism coping skills for teens that change with their growing needs.
Your teen can participate in various treatment programs, including:
- Food and nutrition program
- Autism parent training program
- Education program
Call 855.915.2545 today for more information about our coping skills for autism and how they can improve your child’s confidence and self-esteem.
