How to Promote Emotional Self-Regulation Among Autistic Teens and Young Adults
In this post you will learn helpful strategies for encouraging emotional self-regulation in autistic teens and young adults to improve their well-being and daily functioning.
Traversing the complex world of emotions requires self-regulation. However, young adults on the autism spectrum take a unique approach to controlling their sensory input, regulating emotions in a capacity different from others.
As a parent or caregiver, you must understand the unique experiences and needs of an autistic teen to build an effective support system.
To help you, I’ll discuss the value of focused interventions and approaches when addressing such demands. I’ll also explore evidence-based strategies and helpful tools that support emotional self-regulation in this demographic.
Understanding Emotional Self-Regulation in Autism
Self-regulation is essential in autism because it can help people overcome their daily difficulties. It requires mental, emotional, and behavioral control to support flexibility and well-being.
We can empower young adults to thrive and realize their full potential by understanding emotional regulation in autism and helping them self-regulate.
What Is Self-Regulation?
Self-regulation refers to the ability to control emotions and behaviors, which helps people adapt and fulfill the demands of various situations.
It is particularly relevant for people with autism, as it helps them manage sensory sensitivity, emotional fluctuations, and social interactions. It entails identifying internal states, using tactics to modify them, and adjusting behavior.
Common Self-Regulation Difficulties Faced by Autistic Individuals
As a parent or caretaker, you may identify behavioral patterns in your autistic teens that point to problems with self-control.
These actions could include meltdowns or tantrums due to sensory overload and struggles in switching between tasks. They could also be impulsivity or acting without carefully considering the consequences or difficulty regulating anger or frustration.
For some people, a crowded place with loud noises can be overstimulating, whereas, for others, a shift in their usual patterns or daily activities may result in emotional dysregulation.
Social interactions can be tough. Challenges with self-regulation can include the inability to read nonverbal cues or acting without thinking about the implications.
Impact of Self-Regulation on the Independence and Quality of Life
What may seem like a basic skill plays a transformative role in enhancing the well-being and independence of autistic children.
Besides promoting independence and autonomy, self-regulation positively impacts their daily activities, social relationships, mental health, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Young adults who are in control of their emotions, behaviors, and sensory sensitivity can live comfortably, form meaningful relationships, and constructively cope with their feelings.
These benefits help teens make thoughtful decisions and develop the self-assurance to achieve personal goals.
Strategies for Effective Self-Regulation
Young adults must have a fundamental grasp of emotions and functional life skills to develop self-regulation abilities. These abilities include distinguishing between various emotions and how each feeling appears both externally and internally.
Effective self-regulation strategies are essential tools for developing this foundation. They work in real-world situations and can help improve self-awareness, emotional control, and impulse management.
Co-Regulation
Co-regulation from a loving and trustworthy parent or caregiver can do wonders for an autistic child or young adult. The adults must stay calm and reinforce the self-regulatory exercises through example, serving as role models.
You can help your teens regulate their overwhelming emotions through emotional support and demonstrations of regulation techniques. Focus on their needs. Provide guidance at the right time and help them develop effective regulation skills.
Provide Sensory Support
Catering the sensory sensitivities of your teens or kids can have a huge impact on their development.
Create a relaxing and sensory-friendly environment for your teens. Make it a place where they can thrive and explore their potential.
Sensory support can be providing noise-canceling earphones if you live in a noisy neighborhood and playing their preferred music. It can also be offering fidget toys or other sensory tools to increase focus and self-regulation.
You can also use smartwatches as a sensory tool if they have sensory tracking and calming apps with features that can help people regulate their emotions.
Use of Visual Support
Some people learn new information easier with visual aid. If your teens are the same, use visual support such as social stories, visual cues, flashcards, and practical demonstrations when teaching them self-regulation.
Visual support will help them understand expectations and social protocols better. For example, emotion charts can depict different levels of emotions, helping your teens identify how they feel in certain situations.
Communicate Clearly
Giving direct instructions and leaving no room for confusion is crucial in self-regulation. Make sure you don’t confuse your teens when you ask them to do tasks. The best way to do this is to simplify your language when communicating with them.
Reduce the number of directions and break it down into manageable steps. Also, remember to keep your tone calm and understanding.
Do Calming Activities
When confronted with an outburst or an intrusive situation, teens and young adults with autism could benefit from soothing activities.
Deep breathing exercises and calming activities are all beneficial under trying circumstances. These acts can distract teens from the issue and help them relax.
Let your teens decide which calming activity they prefer, and help them practice it regularly. Soothing activities can be anything from using stress-relief items like a fidget spinner or stress ball to listening to music.
Engage in Physical Activities
Many sports require team coordination and high-level communication, which might not be an autistic young adult’s strong suit. However, regular exercise, such as yoga or dancing, can help release tension.
Swimming is a great sport for autistic teens because it involves water play and fundamental strokes. Such activities can improve self-control, increase bodily awareness, and release endorphins, improving their mood.
Conclusion
Providing for the needs of autistic teenagers and young adults can be challenging and overwhelming. But remember that it’s normal to feel that way. It doesn’t devalue who you are as a person or parent.
Be patient. Remember that you have been blessed with a child with needs that are a bit different from others, and you must adjust accordingly. Help them self-regulate to improve their overall well-being.
