If you’re a parent of a child with autism, understanding self-soothing behaviors can make a big difference in helping them manage their emotions and build independence. Self-soothing is a natural coping mechanism that helps children manage stress, anxiety, and sensory overload.
A Gem of Joy specializes in delivering in-home ABA therapy, empowering families to foster essential skills in their children. By leveraging evidence-based strategies, parents can promote healthy self-soothing habits tailored to their child’s unique needs.
A crucial step in this process is answering an essential question: “What are the goals of a functional behavior assessment?” This step enables caregivers and our team to pinpoint triggers and craft targeted, effective interventions that lead to lasting positive change. Our functional behavior assessments provide valuable insights into the underlying causes of your child’s self-soothing behaviors, helping to develop a personalized plan that fosters their growth and development.
What Are Self-Soothing Behaviors?
Self-soothing behaviors are repetitive actions or rituals that help people regulate their emotions and navigate overwhelming situations. Common among children with autism, these behaviors provide a mechanism for managing sensory input, reducing anxiety, and alleviating frustration.
Some common self-soothing behaviors in children with autism include:
- Rocking back and forth
- Humming or making repetitive vocal sounds
- Hand-flapping or finger-flicking
- Holding or rubbing a favorite object
- Using deep pressure techniques (such as wrapping in a blanket)
While these behaviors can be beneficial, parents may wonder how to encourage self-soothing in a way that is constructive and tailored to support children with autism.
How to Encourage Self-Soothing Behaviors in Children
Teaching children effective self-soothing techniques requires patience, consistency, and understanding of their unique sensory needs. Here are some strategies for supporting autism and self-soothing behaviors:
Create a Calm and Supportive Environment
Providing a structured and predictable environment can help children feel safe and secure. Designate a quiet space in your home where your child can retreat when they need to self-soothe. This area can include soft lighting, sensory-friendly toys, and comforting textures.
Use Sensory Tools and Techniques
Children with autism often respond well to sensory-based self-soothing techniques. Some helpful tools include:
- Weighted blankets or vests for deep-pressure stimulation
- Noise-canceling headphones to reduce auditory overload
- Chewable jewelry or fidget toys to redirect stimming behaviors
These tools can help children find comfort in a way that is both effective and appropriate.
Explore Self-Soothing Alternatives
If a child exhibits self-soothing behaviors that may not be safe or appropriate (for example, head-banging or biting), parents can introduce alternative strategies that provide a similar calming effect. For example:
- Replacing head-banging with deep-pressure activities like squeezing a stress ball
- Swapping hand-flapping with a guided breathing exercise
- Encouraging gentle rocking with the use of a sensory swing
How to Teach Self-Soothing to Children with Autism
Learning how to teach self-soothing requires consistency and a proactive approach. Here are some actions parents can take to help their child develop these important skills:
Model Calming Techniques
Children often learn by example. Parents can model self-soothing behaviors, such as deep breathing or mindfulness exercises, and encourage their children to mimic them during stressful moments.
Implement a Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)
Understanding what triggers a child’s need for self-soothing is key to helping them cope in a positive way. Conducting an FBA can help identify environmental factors contributing to stress and guide parents in choosing the most effective calming techniques.
Reinforce Positive Behavior
When a child successfully uses a self-soothing strategy, provide praise and encouragement. Positive reinforcement helps strengthen these behaviors and increases the likelihood that the child will use them independently in the future.
Use Visual Supports
Visual aids, such as emotion charts or social stories, can help children recognize their feelings and choose an appropriate self-soothing method. These tools empower children to take control of their emotions in a structured way.
Connect with A Gem of Joy to Explore Self-Soothing Techniques for Your Child
A Gem of Joy can help families develop individualized strategies through ABA therapy. If you’re looking for guidance on how to encourage self-soothing or what the goals of a functional behavior assessment are, contact us through our online form or give us a call at 888.501.6641 today. Let’s work together to give your child the tools and confidence they need to shine and succeed.