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autismdelaware.org Inside this issue Effective coping October–DecemberSpring 2019 2012 strategies in the workplace . 4 My favorite coping skills for dysregulated children . 5 Parent2Parent . 6–7 Inside Autism Delaware . 8–11 Handling a component of autism can lessen emotional dysregulation Many children with autism spectrum manage disorder (ASD) display emotional unexpected Sun contributor and behavioral reactions to everyday changes. Amy Keefer, PhD, situations. This reactivity is sometimes Children ABPP, is a clinical referred to as emotional dysregula- with ASD psychologist at the tion (or ED, for short) and can trigger may not Center for Autism emotional and behavioral responses. have the and Related Disor- From mild to severe, these responses necessary ders and assistant can range from anxiety and depres- tools to sion to explosive outbursts and ag- manage professor at Johns gressive and self-injurious behaviors. the situa- Hopkins School of Medicine . Children with ED often experience tion and the Our mission chronic distress. If untreated, ED emotions increases the risk for a variety of that arise. To help people and psychiatric disorders across the child’s By targeting a child’s ASD symptoms, families affected lifespan. parents can help the child manage his by autism spectrum Additionally, ED can interfere with a or her ED. Various supports and ac- commodations can help. For example, disorder (ASD) child’s ability to participate in treat- ments, develop positive relationships, if a child becomes emotionally dysreg- and manage the demands of school. ulated in response to an unexpected ED can also negatively impact the way change in routine, a social story or a family functions and increase a par- visual schedule can improve predict- ent’s stress. ability and, in turn, reduce the child’s stress. Although ED is not a core symptom of ASD, it is common in individuals with Additionally, if a child experiences fre- ASD. One reason may be that children quent distress due to a sensory aver- with ASD have difficulty recognizing sion (that is, a sensitivity to something emotions, understanding another that causes the child to try to avoid person’s perspective, thinking flex- it), it may help to identify strategies ibly, and shifting attention. Children to reduce the impact of the sensory with ASD may also find it difficult to stimulus. For example, a child with an navigate the demands of a busy day aversion to loud noises might wear TM because of challenges to their ability headphones in noisy situations. to regulate sensory experiences and Continued at top of p . 3 Emotional dysregulation Autism Delaware™ and the rest of us Newark Every day is a transition. If you are with autism 924 Old Harmony Rd. like most neurotypical people, you spectrum Suite 201, Newark DE 19713 expect a certain amount of rou- disorder (ASD), Phone: 302.224.6020 tine. If it’s a workday, you move the cover story Dover through your morning routine on in this issue of c/o Dover Downs autopilot—until you realize schools The Sun be- 1131 North Dupont Hwy., Dover DE 19901 are closing and you need a plan for gins by dif- Brian Hall Call for on-site appointment: your kids. All of sudden, you are ferentiating 302.224.6020 or 302.644.3410 Executive Director faced with an unplanned decision between Lewes about your day: Stay at work, or if emotional 17517 Nassau Commons Blvd. you can, leave work. What is the dysregulation Unit 1, Lewes DE 19958 priority? As you think about the and ASD’s core Phone: 302.644.3410 day’s dilemma, you’re on red alert issues, such as Email about the what-ifs, and adrenaline impairments in social interaction [email protected] pumps into your bloodstream. Your and communication. The article Website mind goes around and around: Do I also notes that handling a core AutismDelaware.org use sick or vacation leave? Do I call issue often lessens the degree of family or a friend…. emotional dysregulation. Family services Or do you take a deep breath, real- Although emotional dysregulation Kent and Sussex Counties ize you’re okay, and move on? The is prevalent in people with ASD, (302) 644-3410 answer to this question is impor- it is also observed in people with New Castle County tant. Your response will be with borderline personality disorder, (302) 224-6020 you for the rest of the day. bipolar disorder, and traumatic Now, consider the moment as if brain injury. But anyone who’s Board officers you are on the autism spectrum. experienced trauma or depression and anxiety disorders could be vul- President Every transition can be a height- nerable to emotional dysregulation Brendan O’Neill ened experience. The ability to as well. How many people can say [email protected] choose a response may be ham- pered by emotional dysregulation. they’ve never experienced trauma Vice president or anxiety? Marie-Anne Aghazadian Being unable to regulate your [email protected] emotions can make an awkward Given the current climate in our situation even more awkward; in a country, I wonder how any of us Secretary John Fisher Gray stress-filled environment, emotion- are handling our emotions with [email protected] al dysregulation can wreak havoc. any kind of regulation. There is so To address this symptom in people Continued at bottom of p . 3 Treasurer Jeff Flanders [email protected] The Sun A service of Autism Delaware A publication of Autism Delaware Katina Demetriou, director [email protected] Editorial committee: Carla Koss TM Bus: 302.224.6020 Ext. 202 Cell: 302.824.2252 Liz Carlisle Heidi Mizell Annalisa Ekbladh Jen Nardo Melissa Martin, assistant director Cory Gilden Virginia Sticinski [email protected] Bus: 302.644.3410 Cell: 302.824.9710 Autism Delaware™, POW&R™, Productive Opportunities for Kim Rosebaum, vocational administrative assistant Work & Recreation™, and the Autism Delaware puzzle-piece [email protected] logo are trademarks of Autism Delaware Inc . Bus: 302.224.6020 Ext. 214 2 | Spring 2019 Handling a component of autism can lessen emotional dysregulation Continued from p . 1 Because a buildup of stress can increase emotional distress and produce disruptive behaviors, it’s important to make accommodations for the child, such as provid- ing frequent breaks. Regular opportunities to engage in calming activities throughout the day can also help decrease stress, so consider allowing the child to listen to music, lie under a weighted blanket, or take a walk. Clinicians who specialize in treating children with ASD can help them learn strategies that also manage their ED, such as identifying their emotions and the situations that trigger them. Clinicians can instruct children in • calming strategies and relaxation techniques, such Clip Art as deep breathing and progressive muscle relaxation. Although these strategies typically involve some verbal • attention shifting, such as focusing on a sensation communication, many can be modified for young chil- in the body or thinking about a highly preferable dren and children with language delay. interest. In summary, identifying and treating ED is important • developing positive cognitions. Examples include for children with ASD, and many strategies can help. “I can handle this,” “I will feel good about myself I encourage any parent, who is struggling to address ED if I can keep my cool,” and “This situation will be in a child with ASD, to consult with the child’s treatment over quickly. team to develop an intervention plan. Emotional dysregulation and the rest of us Continued from p. 2 much fear-mongering and us-versus-them conflict going role-playing, and practicing new skills, patterns, and on that each of us is hard-pressed to maintain balance behaviors—whether you are neurotypical or have a of thought, behavior, and expression. disability. How do we allow ourselves the opportunity I’m concerned about everyone who has a stake in the to be responsive? How do we know when we may need autism community because folks have been working the professional-level support of a psychologist, psychia- long and hard to help people and families affected by trist, or behavior analyst for positive and lasting behav- ASD in Delaware, and I know how difficult and unend- ior change? ing the effort has been. Every day, we struggle, and I cannot give the answer; however, I know we need the every day, we must develop a new plan. Many of us feel inner strength and focus to effectively benefit from overwhelmed or burned out. Not overreacting is diffi- available supports. For some, this inner strength begins cult enough in the best of circumstances. with having time for ourselves. If a walk, bike trip, or In the autumn 2018 issue of The Sun, I recommended workout is not doable, Autism Delaware’s communica- self-awareness and making use of resources to handle tions coordinator, Carla Koss, recommends meditative challenges and enhance the family’s helping process. yoga. As for me, I am not that ambitious; watching a I believe the same strategy can apply to handling good sporting event or movie keeps me on an even path. emotional dysregulation. But we need the capacity If you need something but are unsure what, consider to be more insightful and responsive in difficult situa- reaching out to Autism Delaware, the Delaware Divi- tions. Remember: Anger, aggression, or self-injurious sion of Developmental Services, or the Delaware 211 or destructive behavior often necessitates modeling, resource line. A resource could be waiting for you! All information provided or published by Autism Delaware™ is for informational purposes only . Reference to any treatment or therapy option or to any program, service, or treatment provider is not an endorsement by Autism Delaware .