Therapeutic support and interventions for young people with ASD and Sensory Processing difficulties.
Our focus is on helping parents/carers and teaching staff to understand what is behind the child’s behaviour. To work together in discovering what the child is feeling and how their emotions are affecting their mood and behaviours. Feeling overwhelmed is at the root of what makes life difficult for this group of children and when we know this we can take the necessary steps in adjusting the environment to suit their particular needs. When we truly listen we learn what it is that the child needs to feel comfortable and at ease, which means we can then, with small adjustments, make a huge difference to how they feel and experience life.
As parents and teachers, we often expect children to ‘just get on with it’, ‘it’s life and they have to learn to do difficult things’. This, quite understandable way of thinking completely disregards the fact that each individual experiences life and what it throws at them differently. Think for a moment about the person who can stay calm and accepting in a traffic jam and the other who feels like they have steam coming out of their ears and road rages accordingly!
In my many conversations with this group of young people, all unique and individual, I have noticed some commonalities in how they may feel and experience life, some of which I would like to share with you. Some are their words and some are my own thoughts based on my experience.
Bringing anything that is reminiscent of school (e.g. homework) into the home pollutes it and spoils the sanctity of home life.
Being asked how my day was means having to relive it. ‘Please don’t ask me, it was hard enough the first time round, I don’t want to relive it!’
Having to put time and energy into something that isn’t of interest to me feels draining, ‘if I make myself do it I feel depressed and despondent.’
‘It feels impossibly hard to manage and regulate my emotions when I feel overwhelmed and triggered.’
‘Being misunderstood and feeling judged whilst trying so hard to fit in adds to my sense of overwhelm.’
‘Even the smallest things seem enormous when the environment is so stressful.’
‘Feeling different when all I want is to be the same as everyone else, is the hardest thing.’
‘No one is interested in what I’m interested in and I really like to talk about my special interests. I wish someone would listen, it feels so lonely.’
‘I need time on my own at the end of a school day or social occasion, without it I feel frazzled and exhausted, it helps me to put myself back together again.’
Everyone’s ability to cope with things is different. The point at which a person tips over into melt down behaviour is different for each individual. Working out where an individuals tipping point is, can be very helpful in avoiding future possible meltdowns.
Sensory overload can translate into meltdowns which can be expressed as - panic attacks, and angry outbursts as well as self harm behaviours, risky behaviours and eating disorders.
Enabling the young person to build their levels of resilience is one of the most important therapeutic goals along with self acceptance and esteem building. This happens best and most effectively when the child’s brain is calm and relaxed which is why it is so important to make the surroundings conducive for this work to take place.
If you would like to arrange a time to speak, please feel free to contact me, I can’t promise a miracle but I can promise an open and empathic ear and a great willingness to help and enable positive change.
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