What are some good things to do to help my autistic brother calm down?
My 13 year old brother, Adam, who has very severe autism is coming to stay with me for two weeks since our parents are going on a trip to Europe for their 25th anniversary. Their flight is coming in tommorow and I’m worried about Adam having tantrum after tantrum after tantrum about the change in routine and being in a different environment. My parents are flying out with him and will stay with me for a few days, just so that way he doesn’t feel like they are abandoning him. I am happy I will finally get to see my brother, since I haven’t seen him since last Christmas and I really do enjoy spending time with him, but I just worry about him hurting himself.
I am working on trying to Adam proof the house, since he tends to stem and fixate on dangerous things (knifes, rubber bands (he wraps them around his wrists, ankles, neck, because he likes the feeling of numbness, but at the same time he has almost strangled himself and has cut off circulation more than a few times.), and electrical sockets). And my parents sent me a few of his favorite movies that he loves to watch that can help him somewhat calm down in a tantrum and a few toys that might help as well, but is there anything that I can do while he is here to help him adjust a little. I know to keep a set schedule and to hug onto him if he tantrums (since he likes the squeezing), but what type of things can I do for him that he might like or that might help him settle down? Thanks.
Filed Under: Travel and Leisure
Hello! It is difficult to say what can calm an autistic kid. All kids are different (autistic and non autistic) and there is no general recipe. Some calm down when they hear their favorite song, the other when they see their favorite toy, or something like that. I had a friend with an autistic child who developed many tricks that calmed her kid down. She used to carry out bag full of small toys that occupied the boy’s attention each time she took them out.
My son has severe autism. He is 25 years old and also has tantrums, aggression etc. Make sure you know your brother’s favorite foods and if there are any special ways to put it in front of him. My son likes the hugs and pressure on his own terms. If you have a big bean bag chair he may like to get on the floor and you put it on him and put some of your weight on the bean bag. They love pressure. Just watch his face to know when he has had enough. I have a baby monitor in his room with the camera. He doesn’t sleep well at night so I know when he gets up. The camera is good to just keep an eye on him because they are very creative at finding something to get into that could harm them. I have alarms on my outside doors so if I am in the bathroom or doing something he will not wander off. You can get them at radio shack cheap. We have found if our son has a tantrum no matter what damage he does he gets calm faster if we never raise our voice to him. That just seems to fuel the tantrum so we just talk to him calmly. It is good your parents are going to stay a few days. Have your Mom just to check around your home…she will be able to spot anything that could be a problem for him.