Emotion Regulation in Autistic Children
Before you read
In this article we share general information about some areas of development, and the differences that might be seen in autistic children. Every child with autism is unique and different. While they may share some similar traits, it’s important to know that each child will have their own learning styles, interests and preferences.
What is emotional regulation?
Emotional regulation or ‘self-regulation’ is the ability to manage your emotions and behaviour according to the demands of the situation. It involves recognising and understanding your emotions, and responding to them in a way that is healthy and appropriate for the situation. It’s also an important social communication skill and how a child self-regulates can be influenced by how they understand the social ‘rules’ at a particular time.
Emotional regulation develops as a child grows, and as they observe and learn from adults around them. The ability to emotionally self-regulate is important for a child’s wellbeing, learning and development. It helps them build resilience, develop healthy relationships with their families and peers, and thrive in a changing environment.
What is emotional dysregulation?
When a child is stuck in a feeling and unable to self-regulate, they are dysregulated. Being frequently dysregulated is a sign that the child hasn’t yet developed the skills to emotionally self-regulate.
Emotional dysregulation could look like:
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Frequent tantrums, meltdowns or emotional outbursts.
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Impulsive behaviours like shrieking, jumping or throwing.
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Difficulty transitioning between activities.
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Aggressive behaviours like hitting, kicking or biting.
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An inability to calm down from crying, anger or excitement.
Children with autism may need support to recognise, understand, manage and respond to their own emotions and other people’s emotions in everyday situations.
What can families do to help?
Autistic children, like all children, learn about feelings from the people around them. They need to be able to recognise emotions in order to be able to regulate them.
Here are some strategies to support emotional regulation in your child:
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Teach your child to identify different emotions — What does angry look like? What does it feel like?
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Model self-regulation behaviour. For example, take deep breaths when you’re angry.
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Develop and use calming strategies like breathing, going for a walk or a run, taking a break, changing the activity, or using sensory stimulation.
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Plan ahead for challenging situations. For example, talk about what you would do if a classmate took their toy.
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Acknowledge your child’s emotions by giving language to what they are feeling. For example, “I can see that you are angry. Would you like to stop the game?”
This information is designed to help you understand and support your autistic child. Always speak to their therapist/s before introducing any new strategies in the home.
Some of the strategies might be helpful for children without autism, or without a diagnosis. We recommend speaking with your child’s early childhood education and care centre, your GP and/or your family network for more support.
Emotional regulation at a glance
- Emotional regulation is the ability to manage your emotions and behaviour according to the demands of the situation.
- It involves recognising and understanding your emotions, and responding to them in a way that is healthy and appropriate for the situation.
- When a child is stuck in a feeling and unable to self-regulate, they are dysregulated.
- Being frequently dysregulated is a sign that a child hasn’t yet developed the skills to emotionally self-regulate.