Behavior

Behavior

Download Behavior Resource Card

Behavior: Video Summary

Everyone needs to know how to stay calm and become calm if they get upset. Some children can do this by themselves. Children with autism have to be taught how to stay calm or how to calm down.

  • Teach a calming routine. Use pictures to show your child what calm looks like and how to calm down. When your child tries to calm themselves, praise them! Learning calming skills can be challenging.
  • Teach and use calming songs. It is often easier for children to learn and practice calming skills when there is music. Try these songs with your child:
  • Try not to talk much. It is easier for children to calm down when adults do not use a lot of words and keep their voices low.
  • Read books. You can read these library books with your child to help them learn about calming down.
    • The Calm Down Jar by Jennifer Jones
    • I Calm Down by Cheri Meiners
    • Little Monkey Calms Down by Michael Dahl
    • Calm Ninja by Mary Nhin
  • Watch videos. The Feelings Channel on YouTube has many calming videos for your child to watch with you: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJOySiqotiu1SjNSKvw7RPQ/videos

Behavior Visual Supports

Picture routines can be made using Google images, photographs, or drawings.

Download/Print Pre-Made Visual Supports

 

Article to Learn More About Behavior

If you would like to read more about helping you child to calm, click on the link below:

https://raisingchildren.net.au/preschoolers/behaviour/behaviour-management-tips-tools/helping-children-calm-down-3-8-years

 

Examples of Behavior Supports

These are samples of different calming routines and supports.

Using a visual support to help your child take some deep breaths to relax. Sometimes being more specific, such as saying “Breath through your nose” or “Smell the flower,” can give the child a better understanding of what to do.

Cartoon visual showing how to deep breathe for relaxation  Cartoon visual showing a process for calming down - stop, smell the flower, blow out the candle, relax your body


Have a designated quiet space or chill out area for the child to go to calm down. The picture below is of a teepee the child has at home that she can go into and sit with a favorite toy to play or relax.

The picture below is of a teepee the child has at home that she can go into and sit with a favorite toy to play or relax.

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