Peppermint Oil Peppermint is perfect for children with autism, ADHD, and ADD because it gives a cooling sensation and has a calming effect on the body. It is also known to help improve mental focus.
Hyposensitivity: For children who crave sensory input, offer strong, distinct scents like peppermint, rosemary, jasmine, rose or citrus fruits. Use scented playdough, scented markers, or diffusers with invigorating essential oils.
Many autistic people have intense and highly-focused interests, often from a fairly young age. These can change over time or be lifelong. It can be art, music, gardening, animals, postcodes or numbers. For many younger children it's Thomas the Tank Engine, dinosaurs or particular cartoon characters.
If your autistic kid is avoidant, they might prefer soft and creamy foods, like baby food. These foods don't require much chewing and are the same every time. If your kid is a sensory seeker, on the other hand, they might prefer food like chips, that are crunchy and loud.
Always strive to be encouraging and compassionate. Learn about their favorite interests, games or hobbies and try to find common ones. Be aware of the tendency by autistic people to speak at length about their favorite topics which may require some gentle prompting or redirection.
Weighted blankets, vests, and lap pads are widely used comfort items for individuals with autism. These items provide deep pressure stimulation, which has a calming effect on the nervous system. The gentle pressure from these weighted items can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety levels.
Feeding Issues Related to Autistic Behavior Patterns
Like many children, autistic kids would usually prefer chicken nuggets and pizza to salads and fruit.
Sensory play is an excellent hobby for children with autism as it helps them explore their senses in a controlled and enjoyable way. Activities like playing with kinetic sand, water beads, or slime can be both calming and stimulating, offering a safe outlet for sensory exploration.
Social interactions can be affected by sugar intake in individuals with autism. Excessive sugar consumption can lead to blood sugar imbalances, which may exacerbate symptoms associated with autism. These imbalances can impact energy levels and overall well-being, potentially influencing social interactions.
Many autistic people experience hypersensitivity to bright lights or certain light wavelengths (e.g., LED or fluorescent lights). Certain sounds, smells, textures and tastes can also be overwhelming. This can result in sensory avoidance – trying to get away from stimuli that most people can easily tune out.
Perseverative thoughts can happen because a person may be trying to manage stress, process information, shift attention, can't stop thinking about certain things, or can't control behaviors. This kind of thinking, or looping thoughts, is not done consciously or on purpose.
Autistic Children Relate Intensely to TV-Related Merchandise and Games. Neurotypical children may tire quickly of Sesame Street toys. Autistic kids, however, are more likely to find real comfort and pleasure in toys that relate to their favorite videos. And those toys can become a wonderful source for therapeutic play.
Prof. Wang: Autism-friendly colors typically include muted hues like pale blues, greens, and earth tones, which have a soothing effect. These colors can be incorporated into home decor through wall paint, furniture, textiles, and decorative accents.
Lavender is one of the most well-known calming scents because it promotes relaxation and reduces anxiety. Its soothing aroma can help you unwind after a long day and even improve sleep quality.
It can be difficult for some autistic people to follow the types of personal hygiene routines that are usually expected. This can cause problems in keeping clean and healthy. Contributing factors include difficulties with: Sensory processing.
Many autistic people are motivated to have friends, relationships and close family bonds, despite the clinical characterisation of autism as a condition negatively affecting social interaction. Many first-hand accounts of autistic people describe feelings of comfort and ease specifically with other autistic people.
Research also tells us that many individuals with autism tend to have strong preferences for carbohydrates and processed foods, while rejecting fruits and vegetables. This, too, may reflect an aversion to strong tastes and textures.
The enduring appeal of LEGO building toys among individuals with autism transcends mere entertainment; it serves as a powerful tool for fostering engagement, predictability, and a sense of mastery.
These differences may cause strong aversions to certain foods so it feels hard or impossible to eat them. Some young autistic people with sensory sensitivities may only eat starchy, bland, 'beige' foods such as potatoes, bread, and pasta.
Majority of studies show lower Vitamin D levels in ASD children than controls. ASD children may be more likely to have folate and B12 deficiency than controls. Ferritin levels were consistently lower amongst ASD children than controls.
Fidget toys that can occupy the mind and fingers by giving kids something on which to focus. Noise cancelling headphones, which can provide the peace and quiet kids need during a sensory meltdown or outburst to calm their bodies. Bubbles, which can help kids take deep breaths for relaxation, without realizing it.
A: Many autistic children enjoy the pleasures of sensory-based playthings, such as fidget toys, stuffed animals, and other objects that can help regulate their senses.
Q: Do autistic kids get attached to one person? A: Kids with autism can get easily attached to one person, especially after they spend time together. They may become attached to parents, other family members, or close friends.