As a parent, you want to help your child grow and be happy. When your child has thinking and learning differences, like autism, understanding their emotions can be hard. This guide is here to help you learn about autism emotions, so you can support your child’s feelings better. Having autism and expressing emotions can be hard for your kiddo. Let’s find out how kids with autism feel and show emotions and how you can help them learn important emotional skills using tools like Goally.
Table of Contents
Autism Emotions: How They’re Different
Kids with autism, or neurodivergent kids, feel emotions in a different way than other kids. They might have trouble knowing and showing their feelings, which can be confusing for everyone.
Here are some essential things to know about autism emotions:
- Strong emotions: Kids with autism might feel emotions more strongly than others, making it hard for them to control their feelings.
- Hard time recognizing emotions: Some kids with autism have trouble knowing and understanding their own feelings and the feelings of other people.
- Unusual ways of showing emotions: Children with autism might show their feelings in different ways, like through repeating actions or using body language.
Understanding these differences is the first step in helping your child navigate their emotions. By being aware of their unique emotional landscape, you can better support their emotional development and use tools like Goally to help them learn and grow.
Helping Your Child with Autism Learn About Emotions
Now that you know more about autism emotions let’s talk about how to help your child learn about feelings. Remember, every kid is different, so it’s important to use these ideas in a way that works best for your child.
1. Help Your Child Know Their Emotions
Teach your child to know and understand their feelings by talking about emotions and using simple words. You can use pictures, like emotion charts or flashcards, to help them learn different feelings. Ask your child how they’re feeling often and let them share their emotions in their own way.
Goally can be a helpful tool in teaching emotional awareness. By incorporating Goally’s visual aids and reminders, you can support your child in recognizing and expressing their emotions more effectively.
2. Autism and Expressing Emotions
Kids learn by watching others, so it’s important to show them how to share their feelings in a healthy way. Use words, facial expressions, and body language to show your child how to express emotions. Be careful with your own feelings, and show your child how to handle strong emotions in a good way.
Modeling appropriate emotional expression is essential, and Goally can help reinforce these lessons. By using Goally’s customizable visual schedules and prompts, you can remind your child of the strategies they’ve learned to express their emotions in a healthy manner. Check out our free printable feelings chart for kids.
3. Teach Your Child How to Control Emotions
Since kids with autism often have trouble controlling their feelings, it’s important to teach them ways to handle emotions. Some ideas are deep breathing, relaxing their muscles, and imagining a calm place. Please help your child practice these skills often so they feel more comfortable using them when they need to.
- Deep breathing: Teach your child to take slow, deep breaths when they feel overwhelmed.
- Progressive muscle relaxation: Show your child how to tense and relax different muscle groups to release tension.
- Visualization: Encourage your child to imagine a peaceful scene or happy memory to help them calm down.
Read more: Autism Social Skills | Parents Guide
4. Make a Safe and Supportive Home
Children with autism need a safe and caring place to share their feelings. Talk openly with your kid and let them know their feelings are important, even if they show them in different ways. Be patient and understanding, and don’t make them feel bad about their emotions.
Read more: How To Use Visual Schedules for Kids With Autism
Creating a supportive environment also means providing structure and consistency. Goally can help you establish routines and provide visual reminders, making it easier for your child to feel secure and supported as they navigate their emotions.
More Help for Understanding Autism Emotions
It’s good to have more information and help when you’re supporting your child’s feelings.
Here are some ideas:
- Books: There are many books about autism emotions and feelings. Some popular ones are “The Emotional Toolbox” by Michelle Garcia Winner and “Emotions in Autism: A Parent’s Guide” by Brenda Smith Myles.
- Online help: Websites like the National Autistic Society and Autism Parenting Magazine have helpful information and advice about feelings and kids with autism.
- Support groups: Talking with other parents of kids with autism can be really helpful. Look for local groups or online forums where you can share your experiences and learn from others.
Tired of Emotional Meltdowns?
Goally’s Mood Tuner app has activities for kids with BIG emotions. Teach kids how to tune their mood with Goally. See fewer meltdowns.
The Mood Tuner app encourages kids to look inwards and identify their feelings, helping them understand what’s going on inside. Once they’ve recognized their emotions, they can choose from a 20+ activities designed to help them self-regulate and find their balance.
Helping your child learn about feelings is important for their happiness and well-being. By learning about autism emotions and using the ideas in this guide, you can help your child learn important emotional skills and feel closer to them. Remember, being patient and caring is important as you help your child with their feelings. Keep learning and trying new things, and you’ll be ready to support your child’s emotional growth with the help of tools like Goally.
This post was originally published on 05/03/2023. It was updated on 08/03/2023.
Goally
We help parents teach their kids life skills, like doing bedtime and morning independently. Backed by science, we incorporate evidence-based practices and expert-informed designs in all of our apps and content.
