Helping Kids with Autism Cope with Storms
If there is one thing that is difficult when you’re coping with autism, it’s a natural disaster. Hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes, you name it, it’s a problem. These events affect everyone, of course, but for someone with autism and their family, it can be even more challenging.
People with autism generally do not do very well with uncertainty, and there are few things that have more uncertainty than Mother Nature. There is no way you can predict what will happen in instances of severe weather, and that lack of predictability will drive many people with autism absolutely crazy.
Fortunately, there are some things you can do to minimize this anxiety during weather related events. This can be anything from a thunderstorm for a child who can’t stand thunder to bigger events like hurricanes and other kinds of storms.
When there is a major event such as a hurricane coming, there will usually be broadcasts about it on all the news channels pretty much 24/7 for several days leading up to the event. This can make even the most rational person get a little paranoid. It’s important to keep things in perspective, so limiting intake of news about the upcoming natural disaster is a good first step. You don’t want to traumatize your child before and if the natural disaster even happens.
Also, many kids will not be able to differentiate between a video of a disaster going on at the other side of the country and one twenty minutes away. TV news broadcasting can often be hard to decipher in this way. This leads the child to potentially believe that they are in a lot more danger than they actually are.
When coping with autism during a major natural disaster, it is important to have a lot of plans in place. Kids with autism do not well with uncertainty. They will want to know exactly what will happen and what you will do in each scenario to be safe. Don’t turn them down – make sure you talk it out with them.
Have a family emergency plan. “In case of emergency, I will call XXXXX. If they are not available, I will call XXXX. There are candles and matches located in these places if the power goes out. There is a first aid kit here, flashlights here and extra batteries here.” Tell your child that if the power goes out, Mom will keep you safe. That you will get through the storm together. This is what you’ll do for food, this is what you’ll do for shelter. If you address all of your child’s questions and worries with concrete answers, it will help them get past the worry far more quickly and then if you had been dismissive of it.
Social stories are a good idea in this case. Make a social book of activities or changes of plans that you may expect will happen during the weather event (if it is something that is predicted ahead of time), and have your child read it over with you several times so you can be sure he or she understands it.
The most important thing any of us can do when we are experiencing a lot of anxiety is to distract ourselves. The same goes double for the child with autism. If he or she has a special interest, now is the time to use it. If he likes to play a particular video game, let him play it a little longer than usual. Engage him with questions about his interest, and try to get his mind off the upcoming weather event and on something he loves.
Set up an art activity, or go out for a drive if the bad weather hasn’t yet started. If the power has gone out or you expect it to, try to charge all the electric devices ahead of time. Your child can entertain himself by watching a video on a portable DVD player or play games on an iPhone. Talk about things you’re going to do after the severe weather passes, to remind them that there WILL be an after, a “later.” Kids with autism can get very stuck in emotions and forget that anything exists outside of them.
No one wants their lights to go out, but unfortunately, it does happen during many severe weather events. Make sure to reassure the child as much as possible. “The power will come back on soon, and we will be safe. We have flashlights, and plenty of food, and we have each other. We can take care of each other.” Allow your child to voice their concerns as much as possible, and be patient in listening to them. Take their concerns seriously and validate them, but then tell them that you will be able to get through this together.
To the extent that you can, try to make not having power like a game, or an adventure of sorts. Get some cards and play card games, or read a book. Allow your child to have some kind of treat they don’t usually have – perhaps some kind of candy or dessert that will make them forget temporarily that there is no power. (After all, if it’s in the refrigerator, you’re going to have to eat it soon enough anyway!)
Say you have a lot of ice cream that needs eating before it goes bad — you can have an ice cream eating party!
If your child goes to bed before you, tell them that you will check on them every so often. This will reassure them, as it’s no fun to be alone in the dark. Or have them sleep with you. It’s important not to be alone in a time of great uncertainty.
This will give your child a greater sense of control. Have him help you find the candles, flashlights, etc. Have him choose which books to take out and which games to take out — anything that involves him actively in the process of preparing for the severe weather event.
It doesn’t have to be something like a hurricane or blizzard to get your child upset about severe weather. Some kids with autism just can’t stand to see lightening or hear thunder. It scares them.
Kids take cues from their parents, however, and if you model acceptance of and calmness around the event, they may soon follow your lead. “I always thought thunderstorms made me feel safe,” said one mother to her child. “I was inside, and it was raining and thundering outside, but I knew it couldn’t get me so it made me feel cozy and good.” While it may not happen right away, this message will sink in over time and hopefully become part of your child’s arsenal of coping tools.
Parents on an autism message board posted about their experiences coping with autism and impending natural disasters.
Says one mother about a recent hurricane, “There’s one problem. Even though the storm is not supposed to come here, I have a child who is AFRAID OF WIND. It doesn’t take much wind. I think it’s because of the many years he watched tornado videos nonstop.”
It can be very challenging for a child with autism to hear about or experience a hurricane, earthquake, blizzard or other natural disaster. But if you follow these tips, you can increase you and your child’s ability to be coping with autism and get through these annoying weather events with ease.
For additional insights see the article Understanding Your Child’s Need for Routine
For details about therapies and suggestions from parents that can help both children and adults live full and happy lives see the book The Autism Survival Guide. There you will be able to sign up for the FREE Autism Newsletter as well as get additional information to help your loved one be happy and succeed in life.
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