Avoid Meltdowns: 7 Steps to Ensure Social Success

When it comes to working with children, any parent, teacher, or therapist, will tell you that preparation is the key to success. This is especially true for children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). New situations or social scenarios can provide quite a challenge. Unfamiliar sensory input, anxiety, and communication deficits can often lead to meltdowns. But what if we could avoid the undesirable behaviors for all kids with some simple preparation beforehand?

For many years, social stories have been used to help children prepare for new and challenging situations. These tools are stories written by parents or professionals to explain a social scenario or communication skill. Speech-language pathologists and hosts of Speechie Side Up podcast, Kimberly Tice, M.S. CCC-SLP and Venita Litvack, M.A. CCC-SLP created their Lou Knows What to Do social series because they found themselves constantly writing personalized social stories for their students. Why? Because they worked!

Avoid Meltdowns: 7 Steps to Ensure Social Success

1. Set the scene: Describe the setting in as much detail as possible. Providing sensory information can help! For example, warn your child that the Thanksgiving family party may be noisy and have strong smelling food.

2. Utilize visuals: Utilize visuals whenever possible: This may not always be doable. But in the age of smartphones and iPads, a quick google image search can sometimes clear up confusion!

3. Construct positive statements: No one enjoys long lectures filled with rules! For example, “no running,” “no hitting,” “don’t yell.” Kiddos may be more receptive to positive statements that tell them what they should do instead (i.e. remember to walk).

4. Check for comprehension: Be sure to ask questions before, during, and after your conversation to assess your child’s understanding of the topic.

5. Explain social customs: People with ASD often do not see the value in certain social customs such as saying “Happy Birthday!” Explaining these rituals can clear up any confusion.

6. Suggest specific behaviors: Don’t assume your child knows what to do! Especially in a place where they have never been. Be clear about what you expect from them.

7. Summarize the most important points: Repeating the pertinent information can help your child retain it!