Unfortunately anxiety is common with Autism. It’s the main reason that I went through training for kids yoga and mindfulness. I needed tools as an SLP to be able to help my patients learn self regulation and self affirmation skills.
Here are several helpful tools:
Two Amazing “Must Have” Books for Teaching Kids Self-Regulation Skills: https://bit.ly/2T36tiR.
Calming Kit Visual Support and Calming Corner:
A self-regulation visual support from the archives on my blog. See the whole thing and instructions in this PDF: https://omazingkidsllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/behavior-thermometer-i-am-feeling-i-will-with-feelings-and-self-calming-choices-with-kids-yoga-bumpidoodle-cushion.pdf
An editable version is out on Boardmaker Share: https://www.myboardmaker.com/Activity/1817562
Visual Supports with Voice Output for the “Win”! – Incredible 5 Point Scale and the GoTalk Now app: https://bit.ly/3v3eq5M
Fingertip Sphere Breathing for Self Regulation & Calming: https://bit.ly/3bHXLNC
Breathing Zone app (like a virtual Hoberman Sphere). https://apps.apple.com/us/app/breathing-zone/id369838631. I post every time I see this app is free for a short time but it’s definitely worth the regular price:
Visual Timers can be very helpful to reduce anxiety.
I just checked and the app versions of the Time Timer are all still currently FREE (7:45am CDT 7/5/22):
iOS – iPhone and Apple Watch: Time Timer by Time Timer LLC, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/time-timer/id332520417
iOS – iPad: Time Timer: iPad Edition by Time Timer LLC, https://apps.apple.com/us/app/time-timer-ipad-edition/id434081367
Android & Google Chromebooks: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.timetimer.android
Another great free option is the MultiTimer app that can be adjusted directly on an Apple Watch as well as an iPhone. See details on this post: https://omazingkidsllc.com/2017/05/30/free-visual-timer-app-adjustable-directly-on-apple-watch/.
Owl & Star plush characters from Super Simple Learning + free printable affirmation coloring pages: https://bit.ly/3fykyfZ. Any stuffed animal or doll can be used with belly breathing. See this video: https://youtu.be/cx9vMHnjpbA
Five Count Breathing Stars visual support: https://bit.ly/2RCD8eT
Smell the Icing – Blow out the Candle visual support: https://bit.ly/2SfCjbD.
Several great apps in this resource guide: https://bit.ly/UltimateAppDigitalResourceGuideSLP
And handouts from a training “Therapeutic Yoga For Kids and Teens with Autism” that I did at the Oklahoma Autism Conference in 2011: https://bit.ly/3402Hci
I’ll update this post to add additional resources as I create or find them.
Disclaimer: Anxiety is very real and can be severe. Please seek the care of an appropriate mental health professional as needed. Any tools shared here may not work for everyone. They are shared as examples and may need to be customized to meet individual needs.
The best way to reach me with any questions is via private messaging on the OMazing Kids Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/OMazingKidsAAC/. That way important messages don’t get lost among the spam in my e-mail
Angela Moorad, MS, CCC-SLP, Founder of OMazing Kids, LLC, OMazing Kids AAC Consulting
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