Being strong through choices and plans

Know your must-haves

Keep some important rules for your family. For example routines like:

Giving a sense of control can reduce resistance. For example, "Do you want to brush your teeth before or after pyjamas?"

Choose a quiet space to go to for thinking and to feel safe.

Help your child learn the following coping mechanisms:

calming techniques - practice deep breathing, counting, or using sensory regulation tools (fidget toys, weighted blankets) that can be used before the child becomes overwhelmed
problem-solving - help them think of ways to deal with potential challenges such as "If the new shop is too noisy, what could you do?"
self-talk - encourage positive self-talk such as "I can try this," or "It's okay if it's different."
Plan B language - teach them to think of other options, like saying, "If we can't do A, maybe B will work instead."