Nurturing Positive Behaviors: Strategies for Managing Challenging Moments

As parents, we encounter moments when our children aren't listening, are aggressive or are having a meltdown. While these situations can be overwhelming, it is crucial to identify the triggers behind these behaviors so we can provide effective support to our children.

What are your child's triggers? It could be that the environment is too overwhelming for your child's sensory sensitivities, or perhaps they are reacting to a specific fear or anxiety. Every child is different and their triggers will be different as well.

There are also some at-home strategies to help parents manage the difficult days:
- Pay attention - Listen to the words your child is saying, and watch your child's behaviors to see if they are getting increasingly frustrated. It is usually when this frustration isn't manageable anymore that your child might become aggressive or unreasonable. Watch closely so you can help your child cope with anger and frustration before they hit the point of melting down.
- Take lots of breaks - If you know your child will be in a new situation or an overstimulating situation, make sure you plan for lots of breaks and provide places where they can get some quiet space.
- Offer choices - whenever possible, give your child choices. For example, ask your child if they want to do their homework now, or after they walk the dog. This will let your child know they have some control in an overwhelming world.

There are many other strategies that parents can use as well. Experts. Dr. Rachel H. Fein and Emily Jellinek-Russo, a team of experienced experts, offer insightful at-home strategies for managing disruptive behavior in an article they wrote for Autism Advocate Parenting Magazine. Some of their recommendations include modifying how instructions are given, offering choices to empower the child, and utilizing visual supports to enhance communication and understanding.

The insights shared by Dr. Rachel H. Fein and Emily Jellinek-Russo are derived from their years of working with autistic individuals. Their expertise enables parents to access valuable tools and techniques for navigating challenging behaviors and promoting positive outcomes. Parents seeking effective strategies for managing challenging behaviors can find comprehensive guidance, practical advice and evidence-based interventions in their article. By incorporating these strategies into daily routines, parents can create an environment that supports their child's emotional well-being and overall development.

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