Her main triggers are interactions with her brother, doing chores, or discipline. These things are unfortunately not avoidable. I do try to help mentally prep her for chores and I’m calm with discipline.

That’s a really cool idea. She’s a bit young especially mentally but we will try that in the future.

There is for sure more understanding of autism now than there was when you were a kid, and unfortunately some parents just don’t understand or learn about autism.

I have always validated her feelings, and made sure she understands that she is excepted and loved. I tell her it’s important that we practice but that there is nothing wrong with her feelings. I have a lot of education with autism, but there is always more to learn and I always want to gain more knowledge and insight so that I can be a better parent.

As far as a safe space I got her a pink tent house which is really nice and she loves it. She keeps her art supplies in there and she has a light and a fan to make sure that it is comfortable. It has a soft mat on the bottom and she has a long pink kitty pillow to lay on and snuggle with.

She responds very well to positive reinforcement and praise and affection. I know that she will be OK in the long run. I don’t consider her meltdown to be a burden, but rather I feel bad for her that she is struggling in such a way.

I wouldn’t consider it rude at all especially if someone politely excuses themself. It’s quite considerate to yourself and others actually.

I remind her that it will get easier as she gets older. Being a kid can be very difficult. I’ll get her a stress stuffed cat to hug if she get upset,

Thank you, we’ll try TIPP.

Yes, you’re correct about reward and punishment doesn’t work. Often she reacts to her brother when they are playing Roblox on their iPads. Asking her to put the ipad down or leave the room to calm down ends up with her screaming at her brother that it’s his fault she’s yelling. A few minutes on her own calms her down and we can talk. It sounds like she needs to get a bit older so her brain can mature.

Very good coping tools. I’ll get her a note book specific for writing and drawing her feelings about a conflict and sorting her thoughts before discussing. I think one issue is she reacts before she can make better choices.

Unfortunately no, but that is definitely something to try in the future.

I’m not autistic, but two of my kids are. I explain to them that nobody is normal, and we all have our own little world in our mind. It’s ok to be different, and make sure to surround oneself with good people. Sometimes people (esecsilly children) can he assholes, but that’s what’s wrong with them not you.

I’m the only severely visually person in my life, and nobody will understand how different the world is for me. That’s ok though because what they do understand is when I need help, and if they don’t it’s ok to speak up and ask for it.