What do you do or strategies help YOU cope, when going through periods of extreme stress with your SN Child/Children?

[Blossom4538]

Just that!

Any tips or strategies. I feel at breaking point and particularly overwhelmed by my child’s first ever complete ASD shutdown today - took place in a public place and lasted a while.

Lots of other personal stress and awful past year. I need to stay strong at this point, for my child. I am married and H is fantastic, although he is also starting to feel very overwhelmed and completely broke down the other night.

Things that sometimes work for me.

Remembering that all behaviour is communication and that most of the time when ds is behaving in a challenging way it is because of anxiety.

Thinking through why the situation escalated in the way it did and running through how we might prevent it from happening again.

It sounds trite but taking a deep breath, counting or if possible just taking a few minutes in another room to sort myself out.

Sometimes none of these things work and i still feel despondent or snap.

Yvonne Newbold on facebook (SEND VCB group) does an online seminar around reducing anxiety in you and your child which could also be helpful to you. The seminars are listed on the public page but there is also a private group that you can apply to join which is very supportive.

For you, rather than managing dc, meditation. I love the Calm app. There’s a 10 minute ‘daily calm’ plus loads of other material including sleep stories and courses such as managing anxiety and mindfulness and it’s not expensive for an annual subscription. Mindfulness in general is great and basic stoicism principles. Getting out for a walk daily if you can. Not too much caffeine, alcohol or junk food as these will just make you feel worse. I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time.