From daylight hours to weather patterns, a lot of things transit with the changing seasons. Over the years, we have all adapted to these and expect them to occur. However, many can find seasonal changes challenging, including children with autism. If you are parenting a child with autism, you can understand how hard these conversations can get on your little one.
Now, if you are wondering what causes these changes, there are many reasons. These include changes in their routine, sensory preferences, and more. As their parent or caregiver, you know and can understand it better.
But did you know that Applied Behavior Analysis therapy can help you deal with it better and differently?
Yes, it can. ABA therapy services work with a tailored approach, making the treatment plan adjustable according to seasonal changes. In the coming part of the blog, let us learn how Applied Behavior Analysis can work.
What Are Seasonal Changes and How They Can Affect a Child With Autism?
Before going ahead and understanding how ABA therapy and services can help your child, let us learn the causes in detail.
- Change in Routine
A child with autism can find a present routine and structures comforting. However, seasonal changes bring an unexpected disturbance to their preset patterns.
As a result, you can find them getting anxious, being stressed, and showcasing meltdowns.
- Impact on Sleep Patterns
You might have noticed yourself getting impacted by the changes in sleep patterns. The same kind of thing happens with autistic children. The only difference is that the effect is exacerbated, especially if your child has sleep-related issues.
- Lighting Changes
Children with autism perceive their environment differently. Lighting has a role to play in building the ideal space for them. If your little one is sensitive to light, they might face trouble adjusting to the lighting changes around them. You can observe this in their behavior changes.
How Applied Behavior Analysis Can Help?
The above-stated changes can affect the behavior of a child with autism. Being restless can make them more irritable, and they face trouble focusing and mood fluctuations.These can be seen in behavior changes and increased anxiety issues. As long as you have support systems, such as ABA, you can help your little one cope with seasonal changes. The good thing is that you can easily access ABA therapy easily around you. Whether you live in Aurora or Denver, you can find ABA therapy centers near you effortlessly. However, before that, let us see how Applied Behavior Analysis can actually help.
Addition of New Routines
Applied Behavior Analysis can work in numerous ways to help a child with autism bring new behaviors. From positive reinforcement to natural environment training, many of its strategies work accordingly.
In instances with seasonal transitions, behavior analysts can strategize to help them deal with these changes better. The child is also trained to deal with the possible changes in their schedule and anxiety better. The child can develop a coping mechanism for unprecedented instances and improve their daily functioning.
Incorporating Seasonal Activities
From visual aids to social stories and several structured activities, therapists use different ways to prepare children for possible changes. Behavior analysts often include seasonal activities to amplify the outcome of ABA therapy. The upcoming seasons and the overall goals for therapies focus on incorporating seasonal activities. For example, outdoor play during summer can be included. It is worth noting that seasonal activities can help with other areas of development. These can include motor skills and socializing opportunities.
Tailoring the Ideal Practices
Every child is different, and professionals offering Applied Behavior Analysis understand it very well. Behavior analysts can use unique and tailored strategies based on the child’s tolerance for change. This approach allows altering techniques like pre-teaching and adjustments accordingly. Personalized strategies can help the little ones create a sense of security and stability whenever they face seasonal challenges.
What Are Other Ways to Prepare a Child with Autism For Seasonal Challenges?
Applied Behavior Analysis uses a tailored approach to meet the specific goals of a child’s behavior. Additionally, here are other ways you, as a parent or a caregiver, can help your child prepare for seasonal challenges.
- If the seasonal change involves crowds or heavy voices, this can result in sensory load in your child. You can avoid it by balancing these changes with sensory tools, such as noise-cancelling headphones.
- If you anticipate your child getting stressed, you can alter your home’s sound and lighting levels accordingly.
- From their bedtime to clothing, you can make the required changes slowly so these do not overwhelm your child.
- If your child is a little grown up, you can include them in the planning of seasonal activities, such as holiday preparation. This can help them feel like they are in control of the changes.
- Stay in touch with your child’s behavior analysts and discuss any changes you’re making in their environment.
Conclusion
Applied Behavior Analysis or ABA is a research and evidence-based therapy. It can help in behavior modification for individuals with developmental delays, such as autism. It has several benefits and can lay the foundation for your child’s strong and promising tomorrow.
In this post, you have walked through one such benefit- adjusting the seasonal challenges of autism. Seasonal changes can appear overwhelming in some children with autism. They can find it hard to deal with the change in routine, natural lighting, and sensory processing.
Fortunately, Applied Behavior Analysis can help. Its tailored approach can come in handy in helping the little ones adjust to the new routines. It can help include seasonal activities into their routine. This can help cater to their particular needs and requirements. The good part is that you can look for ABA centers easily. Whether you live in Aurora or Denver, you can find ABA centers with just a few clicks.
Additionally, you can prepare your child for the sensory load. Adjust their surrounding environment and gradually introduce upcoming changes. Above all, it is essential to discuss the possible alternations with your child’s therapists and implement them later.