Calming activities for kids with special needs…
Special needs kids can often suffer from anxiety and fear. And these fears and anxieties can sometimes seem irrational and illogical if you’re not aware of them. The best way to manage these kinds of situations is to try and set the child at ease. Below are a few calming activities for kids with special needs, that we use with our children.
- Empower the child. Dominic has a phobia of thunder. We have tried to explain to him that he’s safe indoors and that thunder can’t do anything to him. But as with many phobias, his fear is irrational. So we sing a song that ‘chases’ the thunder away. In this way, he’s controlling the situation in some way. The same goes for switching on lights when the weather is threatening. He’s taking charge of his environment and changing it to make it more manageable.
- Distract the child. Distraction can be very effective in certain situations. This is the time when all rules go out the window and the kids can do those ‘naughty’ things that they love so much. We allow the kids to use our phones because it’s a real treat. And because it’s a great way to distract them. We also have a few calm movies that they like.
- Medicate the child. In certain extreme situations, some medication may be required. We do not use prescription medication, but I don’t judge people who do. What we use is Rescue Remedy for Kids. It’s a natural homeopathic solution and we therefore allow the kids to choose whether or not they want to take it. Once again, they are given the power to overcome their fear.
- Hug the child. Sometimes a strong, reassuring hug does the trick. This can be difficult when your kids are having a meltdown. Being gentle and firm usually can help. Children respond to feeling loved and protected. And it’s also a great opportunity to try and talk through the fear.
- Feed the child. Even though our kids have some food issues, they are distracted by eating what they like. We do try and avoid sugar and anything too starchy. We rather opt for something with protein or complex carbs. This can be a way to balance their moods a bit.
Do you have any calming activities for kids with special needs? I would love to hear what you do.
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