This post outlines 5 of the BEST printables on anger management for autistic children and ways you could help kids manage their emotions.
Sometimes, children show angry outbursts throughout social interactions. Whether in the classroom or at home, showing aggressive behaviors is often something we must tackle.
What is an Autism Spectrum Disorder?
Autism refers to a disorder which is a condition related to brain development that impacts how a person perceives and socializes with others, and this may cause problems in social interaction and communication.
This disorder may also show repetitive behaviors.
Teachers and ABA therapists sometimes use a behavioral analysis to determine the level.
Autistic individuals mat lack the proper social skills to handle stimulus that other children may be accustomed to. Temper tantrums are common in reaction to loud noises. Sometimes, anxiety disorders can begin.
Problem behaviors can begin simply with anger rumination.
Related: Best Printable Feeling Words List PDF for Special Needs Kids
What is anger rumination?
Angry rumination is a perception in thinking about a personally meaningful anger-inducing event. This may cause the individual to have aggressive outbursts.
It’s especially important for ABA therapists to address these behaviors and help children make sense of how they’re feeling and in turn parents of children who are autistic can be assured they are well looked after.
Does autism cause anger?
Anger and aggressive behaviors are common across levels of the autism spectrum. Children are generally more likely to have social and communication issues. They may also find it difficultly with emotional regulation and aggressive actions.
It’s not mental health issues that cause these angry feelings in children, sometimes it’s just understanding their emotions and regulating them to help them back on track.
This is why having a number of activities or techniques to help kids with autism understand their emotions and in turn help them regulate their emotions.
There are so many ways to target anger management in kids and these helpful tips here to manage 7 year-old throwing tantrums are so essential!
Family members generally have a hard time with anger outbursts because usually a child with special needs would find it difficult to express how they feel. Young adults can also experience this.
Frustration and Anger in Autism
Sometimes, a child may react to a small thing just like bright lights or have a reaction to a certain type of food texture, which is sensory overload.
This is why teaching children coping strategies in effective ways would help them develop lifelong healthy and appropriate behaviors.
When a child becomes frustrated, it usually means one of his needs aren’t met. For instance successful interventions for autistic meltdowns is to have a plan of action.
Check out these calm down techniques here for emotional regulation.
10 Calm Down Area in Classroom Ideas
Young children often cannot express their emotions very clearly, which is why they have a meltdown. You can sometimes pick on social cues and facial expressions to understand when these might come up in the student or the child.
A child’s behavior can something show how they are feeling about a certain activity or daily schedule. Keeping up with a good routine is one of the best ways to manage the anger outbursts and problematic behavior.
Autism Anger Management Techniques
There are some simple ways to help kids in a rage cycle.
Start off with neutral redirection, for example show them something they might be more exicted about. Show them ways to breathe in and out when they can’t release their frustration.
Anger Management for Autistic Children Worksheets
I personally love to use the worksheets and printables below within the classroom or even send with the parents to help them engage with their child further to regulate their emotions.
Grab this poster at the end of this post!
Early intervention and positive reinforcement are essential for anger management skills.
Sometimes, if children or young people have social anxiety which is common, cognitive behavioral therapy might be the next step.
Autism Anger Management Worksheets
Behavioral problems can almost always be solved with a little patience and positivity.
When I am angry I don’t throw a tantrum poster
Children react well to reinforcement, why not add incentives to help the child understand that if they accimlish or complete something, they can look forward to receiving a reward?
After a period of time, kids become accustomed to this and in turn start to complete small tasks and grow.
Using Social Stories to Curb Bad Behavior
If you’ve never heard of social stories, they are truly the BEST way to manage a child’s aggressive behavior and outbursts. This is usually the first step that teachers and therapists take.
They are truly one of the most useful tools for an ASD child having outbursts of anger.
For instance, I used this social story in Boom Cards to help a child with anger emotional regulation:
I also use these worksheets and printables for anger management quite often. These are hosted at Canva.
Download these emotion regulation printables here.
Emotions Poster Display for Classroom
Don’t forget to grab this poster right below. I hope you loved these techniques and printables on Anger Management for Autistic Children.
