No In-Betweens

Meeting 6 with Dr Johann

January 8, 2015

The ASD brain is an on-off switch when it comes to emotions. I am either happy or sad. I am either very angry or not angry at all. 

There are no in-betweens.

So how do we get them to try and recognize the “I am going to get angry” feeling?

Using a feelings temperature check and defining the different tangible changes their body feels can be one way. For example, heart beats faster. They start sweating. Fists start clenching.

Once they start recognizing these signs, then they can use strategies to calm down. 

Strategies that help them move their behaviour from primal instinct (fight or flight) to rational thought and rational behaviour.

Two strategies for Lauren, to help her calm down:

1. Count 1-100…backwards in multiples of two or four or six

Dr Johann advised that the more she has to use her brain to process something, the faster she can move from her primal instinct of explosive anger. This helps her use more of her pre-frontal cortex.

2. Breathing exercise

Breathe in, hold for 3 seconds. Then breathe out.  Do this until she feels less upset.

And finally, a holiday activity for Lauren: arrange a playdate for her where she can practise some of her social skills. Will let you know how that goes!