Are you the parent of a child with autism? Are you feeling at your wit’s end dealing with your child’s hyperactive behavior? As exhausting and challenging as it may be, there is no need to lose hope.
Every parent wants what’s best for their children. When you have a child with autism, one of your biggest concerns has to be how they are going to grow up and function in the world. Autism is usually diagnosed in children when they’re around 3-years-old, but there are signs that parents can watch out for from a much earlier age.
If you notice your child is showing any symptoms of hyperactivity in autism, it’s important you discuss this with their doctor. While there isn’t a cure for autism, early intervention can give your child the best chance at living a happy and fulfilled life as an adult. Hyperactivity in children may be hard to deal with, especially if it is coupled with other symptoms such as impulsiveness and restlessness.
Hyperactive behavior isn’t just about feeling amped up all the time. Instead, it means the mind and body are active even when a person with autism doesn’t need to be or have something to do. It might mean he fidgets, talks too much, get bored easily, struggle to stay still during meetings, or other situations that aren’t appropriate.
What Is Hyperactivity In Autism?
Do you feel at your wit’s end because of your child’s constant fidgeting and hyperactivity? But there is no need to lose hope just yet. You can reduce the level of hyperactivity in your child by making some simple changes to their environment and routine. Keep reading to know more. If you understand this, then it means you are on the right track toward understanding your child and finding ways for him to lead a normal life once again.
Hyperactivity in autism is excessive movement. This may manifest as fidgeting, running around, or just being very restless. It can also be characterized by having a high excitability level. You may notice that your child is easily startled or responds to loud noises in an exaggerated way. In addition, hyperactivity in autism can take the form of poor impulse control. This means your child may have difficulty controlling their desires and impulses — for example, having a hard time waiting their turn or stopping when they’ve done something they aren’t supposed to do.
The symptoms of hyperactivity in autism can vary from child to child. Children with autism may also have trouble focusing on a particular activity. One minute they may be fully engaged in a game and the next they are running around the room or banging their head against a wall. This kind of behavior can be very disconcerting to parents and caregivers.
Basics of Hyperactivity In Autism (How to reduce hyperactivity in autism)
The main challenge faced by children with this condition is their difficulty in regulating their behavior. This leads to a number of behavioral issues such as restlessness and fidgeting, restlessness, impatience and impulsiveness, low patience threshold, etc. Along with this, these children also have a reduced attention span and an increased level of boredom. While there is no cure for hyperactivity in autism, you can reduce its frequency and intensity by following the tips mentioned below.
Strategies For Helping Your Child With Coordination Problems
- Be sure they are doing ample hand and finger exercises, like squeezing rubber balls or grabbing items off a string.
- Encourage your child to use their hands in different ways and on a variety of different things.
- Give your child ample time to finish their tasks; avoid rushing them and provide ample rest breaks.
- Use adaptive devices, like a talking thermometer, talking blood pressure cuff, talking calculator, talking alarm clock, and a computer with voice recognition software.
- Try sensory integration therapy (SIT) or occupational therapy (OT). SIT is a type of therapy that helps people to process information from their senses. OT is a therapy that helps people learn new skills by working with their senses, like touching and smelling different fabrics
How To Reduce Hyperactivity In Autism
Adults with autism are prone to hyperactivity as well as inattention. Even if you have a grown adult, there are things you can do to reduce hyperactivity and inattention at home, at work, or at school. As parents, you can do a few things to help reduce the hyperactivity in your child’s autism.
1- Structure Your Child’s routine With Consistency
One of the main reasons behind hyperactivity in your child may be their inability to regulate their behavior. Hence, one of the best ways to reduce the level of hyperactivity in your child is to help them gain control over their behavior.
As such, you must create a regulated environment for your child wherein they are made to follow strict rules and guidelines. This will help them gain control, and they will feel less hyperactive and restless as a result.
While creating the environment and setting up rules, you must ensure that they are consistent. This will make the rules less confusing and easier to follow, which will, in turn, result in a calmer child. You must also follow a strict routine, as this will help your child to feel less hyperactive and will also help them learn better.
2- Try Auditory Integration Training
Auditory integration training, also known as AIT, is a type of therapy that is used to help children with hyperactivity. AIT is recommended for children who have auditory sensory problems, including those suffering from hyperactivity. This therapy involves wearing headphones for a certain period of time each day. The sound that is played via the headphones is constant, low-level noise that is mixed with music.
AIT can reduce hyperactivity in children as it improves their auditory processing skills. Hence, it also helps to improve their attention span, making them less fidgety and restless. This therapy can be done at home as well, although you should consult your child’s doctor before starting it.
3- More Physical Activity Is Key
The best way to reduce hyperactivity in your child is to get them to exercise more. Exercise has countless benefits and is good for everyone, including children with hyperactivity. It will help your child to become less fidgety and restless and will help them to focus better at school.
Find out what your child enjoys doing, and get them to do it as regularly as possible. You can engage your child in active indoor activities such as dancing and skating, or you can even take them to the park for some outdoor fun. Your child can also be encouraged to engage in sports such as martial arts, yoga, swimming, etc., which can help them to become less hyperactive.
4- Play Calming Music
Playing calming music can be very helpful in reducing hyperactivity in your child. You can play soft and soothing music at home, especially while your child is studying or doing some quiet activity. This will help your child to focus better and will also help them to become less fidgety and restless.
You can also play calming music when your child is going to bed, as loud music can prevent them from falling asleep. This is especially helpful for children who have trouble with sleep. You can also play music when you are driving with your child, as soft music can help them to relax and calm down. Also, it is best to avoid playing loud and fast-paced music, as it can make your child even more hyperactive than before.
5- Light Therapy And B Vitamins
Apart from the above-mentioned tips, you can also try light therapy and B vitamins to reduce the level of hyperactivity in your child. Light therapy involves the use of artificial light that mimics natural sunlight. It is recommended for people who suffer from bipolar disorder, Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), depression, and hyperactivity.
B vitamins are helpful for improving your child’s focus and concentration. Vitamins B1, B2, B3, B6, and B9 are especially recommended for children with hyperactivity. You can get your child to take B vitamins as supplements, or you can also include them in your child’s diet by consuming foods such as bananas, beans, nuts, etc.
Things You Should Focus on To Help Your Child With Hyperactivity
These are some simple steps you should follow to make your child’s behavior normal. You may find these steps helpful in how to reduce hyperactivity in autism.
1) Provide opportunities for physical stimulation
This can help channel your child’s energy in a positive way. Things like jumping on a trampoline, riding a bike, running in place, or playing sports can be great ways to get your child’s energy out.
2) Encourage your child to use their hands
Children with autism can sometimes overuse their mouths, which can be challenging for parents who are trying to get their children to stop biting or other self-injurious behaviors.
3) Get creative with your child’s interests
If your child likes to bounce a ball, try putting a small ball inside a sock. If they like to flap their hands, try putting a small ball inside a mitten.
4) Set up a schedule with quiet time
Children with autism (especially those who are hyperactive) may benefit from a predictable schedule. This can help them feel more in control and make transitions easier, as well as prevent meltdowns.
5) Establish boundaries and expectations
Your child may benefit from visual schedules where you can show them what they are expected to do each hour/day, etc.
Further Reading
Conclusion: (How to reduce hyperactivity in autism)
Hyperactivity in children can be really tough to handle, but there are many ways to reduce its frequency and intensity. You can create a regulated environment for your child where they are made to follow strict rules and guidelines, which will help them gain control over their behavior and will result in a calmer child. Studies show that early intervention is the best way to help children with autism. If you think your child is displaying signs of hyperactivity in autism, it’s important to speak with their doctor. Early intervention can help your child learn coping mechanisms that will help them deal with their symptoms as they grow older. It can also help them make friends in school and receive the support they need while they’re growing up.