Guidance to manage flood affected Asd individuals

*Guidance to deal with CWSN in Relief Camps*

The most important thing is to reduce anxiety in the child since with severe sensory issues and limited communication, the outcome is usually a 'Flight or Fight' response.

However, assume they are competent to understand and talk and act accordingly, even though they may not respond.

Change in the environment and their normal routine may cause anxiety and stress .use calming strategies to help them ,familiar people and caregivers to give assurance to them

#Present *visual aids (videos , pictures,photos ,simple drawings )to help the children to understand the situation
.Using the *visual aids as support , explain to the children about any changes . Allow them *time to process the information as well prepare themselves for any transitions ,which can be challenge in many ways for children with autism (Can't draw? use Google images and animations)
Simple Visual aids ( via drawings, photos  )  and social stories to help them under stand the situation better . Help them to know what routine is ahead like sleeping, eating going to bathroom, meeting  teacher or elder etc. Use as much visual aids like simple drawings to illustrate.

#Autism children ,they may be sensitive to environmental stimuli like  noise (never speak too loud or shout or yell),smells, lights , clothing and temperature (various stimuli depends on child )they can be easily overwhelmed by surroundings .try to figure out the potential stimuli and avoid it

#Try to avoid flashing and flickering lights.Try and minimise the tube lighting, and also any irritating background noise.

#See if they need to use the bathroom. *Use pictures of toilet to ask if they need to go . In fact take them to the bathroom for *#2* at least once and *#1* every 2-3 hours. (most important)

#Provide sensory toys  (these are the toys which gives  particular sensory input to the child ,it can be visual or tactile .toys like fidgetting or squeeshy)

#Some children have the habit of putting things in mouth to satisfy their sensory needs is to be taken  care of (caution)

#Hand flapping , repetitive behaviour often  serve to help cope with regulation of emotions.It is important to give them conduit to do so with out much attention brought to it.Do not stop the child if he/she is engaging in hand flapping or pacing or other self stimulatory behavior since that is their way of self regulation. It may look odd but it is their way of calming themselves.

  

Let them flap hands or fidget fingers/objects

#Keep one corner area to be free with soft beds ,like cool down area , whenever child feels distress ,child can go there and cool down  himself.

#Provide soft sensory items ,the child can use for calming

#If child shows any frustration ,try to look for reasons ,react calmly ,give time for them to cool down

 #Autism children express their physical issues through behaviour ,try to figure it out.

#Avoid processed foods as much as possible.Some kids will be on a wheat free ,milk free ,cocoa free,soy free diet
Refer gfcfsf diet.
https://tacanow.org/family-resources/in-defense-of-the-gfcfsf-diet-for-children-with-autism/

#They maybe sensitive to various sounds and stimuli so trying to figure out any potential sound , touch or visual stimuli that may trigger anxiety attacks and as far as possible removing such stimuli will be useful

#Use bed sheets or soft blankets to cover them (if they prefer, else not)

#Soft lullabies or singing (most of them love songs) can help.

#If some can engage in play, try and device simple games with a defined  beginning and end. Eg:-Putting stuff in a box, or running upto  a point.

*CWSN :-children with special needs

Mrs Indulekha Damodaran

#Asd parents and Therapists Group,Kerala.