Autism Treatment for Toddlers - Why Is My Toddler With Autism So Agitated?

If you've just received a diagnosis of autism in your child, then you know that autism treatment for toddlers is of the utmost importance. You are also most likely plenty scared about what will follow, and what you can do to help your child. Don't worry, that is a natural reaction. There are plenty of therapists, doctors and other parents that will be able to help you along your journey.

Sensory Integration Therapy

One kind of therapy that can be very useful in the treatment of autism in toddlers is sensory integration therapy. You see, most kids with autism have sensory issues - they will scream in agony if something is too loud, tastes bad, has an unpleasant texture, or is too busy or uncomfortable visually. We use the 5 senses to take in all our information about the world.

Toddlers with autism, however, receive sensory information 100 times stronger than we do. Everything is magnified for them. This is one reason that your autistic toddler can often seem so agitated.

Avoid Sensory Overwhelm

So what can you do? Well, for starters, try to avoid crowded places if you can. Don't take your toddler with autism to movies, plays or restaurants, as the noise and commotion will most likely be too much for them. Be aware if they have a tantrum, it might be something sensory related, like their shirt is too scratchy, their clothing is too tight, or something your baby hears is too loud for them.

Music that you are playing in the room may be a source of agitation, or even the sound of a piece of paper in ripping in two can set some toddlers with sensitive hearing on edge. Wearing perfume or fragranced products can be an assault on the sensory system of your autistic toddler. It is a good idea to wash their clothes with unscented detergent and use unscented soaps for bath time.

When you live with a toddler with autism, you need to be aware of their sensory needs, among other things. Autism treatment for toddlers can be a tricky business, but it is not impossible.

Many parents worry, many times needlessly, about their toddlers and young children crying and having meltdowns. They do not realize that the solution is often straight forward and simple. Ensure that you focus on the sensory issues that surround your toddler. Ignoring this simple rule can make the difference between a happy and content child and one who is irritable and always upset.

Parents should learn as much as you can about sensory issues. Tips from other parents and professionals can be extremely helpful. A great site that has tips and suggestions for additional treatments is the AmericanAutismSociety.org. There you can sign up for their FREE newsletter with tips and info on autism.

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How to Control Anger and Rage When You Are Upset With Your Autistic Child

Controlling anger and rage when you are upset with your autistic child can be a challenge. But, there are healthy ways it can be done. How, you are probably asking? You as an adult, want to become a powerful and respectful parent(s), or caregiver(s), who acts, thinks, talks and makes decisions that are good choices.

One way to help you after you have anger and rage, is being aware of the attention that is involved. Attention, is quiet, it can be on the border of being intense. Attention is the solid ground the person feels comfortable with. It makes you aware of what is happening or going on in the present. You want to be aware of how you are acting, or responding to your child with autism and yourself, by giving attention to the matter at hand.

Empathy, is another important element. This allows you, with the anger, rage to feel the attention. Empathy builds self-awareness. The more open you are to your own emotions, the more skilled you will be in understanding, or having an inkling of how to read feelings in your child.

Remember, to take time that allows heated emotions to cool down. When you find time to cool down, then you and your child, can act and talk on a common ground level for both of you to understand.

You as parent(s), or caregiver(s), must try to take a walk, a drive, a stroll, go to another room, find some quiet time, or turn on some soft music and just sit in silence. If you do not find a way to cool down, you may regret it. When I become angry and sometimes I have rage, I find it comforting to cool off, by looking at my colorful flowers or plants. By doing this for myself, I see and feel new positive energy and peace.

I have learned from my own experience, that most people who get angry, or are in rage, are trying to make a connection, with another person. The type of connection you are trying to make is with your child who has the disorder of autism.

Some of the healthy connections you can make with your child to help you, with anger, and rage, is, eye to eye, face to face, hand to hand, side by side, connections. This can be done by using soft verbal words in a calm voice to make these connections. Coming out of anger and rage, can be rewarding, beneficial, if you are diligent in remembering, to give attention to the situation and follow through with, empathy, time and contact or connection, with your child. In time, your emotions will cool down, and you will be able to communicate on common ground with your child.

Anger and rage, from being parent(s), or caregiver(s) can escalate into something serious if you are not aware, of how to control it, and what causes it. We all lose our temper and become angry. It sometimes could be more trying when you have a child with autism, and it affects his or her siblings and other family members.

If you are aware of anger and rage that happens often with your child, and you find it is hard to understand why it is happening, or it becomes out-of-control, then it is best to acquire some help, or talk it over with an autism specialist, who has a better understanding of how you can cope with this issue and correct it. Your child and you are worth it to have a healthy relationship.

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