Tips/Strategies that can help with emotional regulation

If Nathan is feeling worried

 Check he can say why he Is feeling worried, you could say to Nathan “ Nathan is feeling worried because”? ( pause and give him time to process this, at least 10 seconds)

 Does he need reassurance about what he is doing?

 Does he need you to write down what he doing?

 Does he need help with something?

 Is the situation different or new to Nathan? Even good changes can be challenging if he hasn’t had time to process.

 Nathan hates being late, if he is in a situation that he is going to be late, he will need positive reassurance that it will be O.K. ( if this is true) he is always on time so only in situations that are out of our control ( traffic, road works etc) he will need positive support. If you are calm, he is most likely to feel more calm.

 Is the environment too busy or noisy? If so Nathan could put his headphones on, take a mini break in a low sensory environment.

 If Nathan is worried it is best to be his calm person, talk less, Positive reassurance that you can guarantee and give him time, so a mini break or leave what you are doing for another time.

If Nathan is feeling confused

 Check to see if today is very different than his usual routine and what can you do to provide certainty?

 Is there communication breakdown, for example is Nathan being pressured to talk a lot? Are there too many communication demands? For example expectation of Nathan to say too much.

 Are you asking him a lot of questions? Questions can be anxiety provoking for Nathan, comments are much less demanding.

 Nathan is a literal thinker so speak his language ( literal, logical) Say less and always give him time to process.

 Write a checklist

 Break things down into achievable chunks if doing an activity or job.

 Check, Can Nathan achieve this right now or do you need to break things down even more. Remember modelling what he can do will be a positive strategy around confusing situations.

 When showing Nathan what he can do, check in to see he understands by asking him to show you.

 If Nathan is still feeling confused stop what you are doing and take a break together, give him some quiet time without talking, the less you say the less confused he will be.

 Remember slight changes can be huge to Nathan particularly if there are many.

If Nathan is feeling Overwhelmed

 Immediately lower your expectations that maybe contributing to him feeling overwhelmed, like doing too many things, trying anything new, being in crowds, expectation of talking to others.

 Reduce your language, and lower your voice to a soft tone.

 Tip, Nathan becomes very overwhelmed when people talk loud, talk too much, and or ask him questions, or things are different.

 Try modelling taking long, slow deep breaths but don’t expect him to do this until he feels less overwhelmed.

 Where appropriate, Nathan may need to go for a run or bike ride by himself, you may need to ask him and give him these options.

 Listen to music, headphones on, drink some water, a quiet low sensory space. Take a break, get some fresh air.

 Counting aloud to 10 slowly once he feels less overwhelmed.

One of my feel good things to do, traffic light spotting.

Source: https://www.zonesofregulation.com/index.html