Children with autism, like adults, have difficulty managing their emotions. They have difficulty expressing, translating and reproducing emotional expressions. This is most often related to a problem with social communication, language development and also metacognitive skills.
But don’t worry, our coaches are here to support you: we have prepared some tips that will help you work on this so that they can adapt in social relationships.
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Step 1: Assessing the child’s knowledge about emotions
The first step is to evaluate the child’s ability to perceive emotions.
As such, it is necessary to translate each of the emotions with your facial expression, since it is a face that he is used to analyze. For example, you can take pictures of yourself and analyze them with him and evaluate the child’s ability to recognize them. Start with basic feelings such as anger, joy, fear, sadness, disgust, and surprise. Once the first step is completed you can add new faces to your photo library.
At the end of each stage, it is essential to congratulate him with a hug, an object, or an encouragement.
You can also find books to use as a guide to relate emotions to more tangible things like colors, sounds, or objects
Step 2: Naming emotions
Show the characteristics of the emotion with an image that you will later associate with a word. You can do this by asking questions and using guidance by pointing to features on the face. Repeat the corresponding word and ask the child to do so as well. The goal is for the child to be able to pronounce even the beginning of the word. Feel free to repeat to maximize results.
You can also do it in the form of a game, such as miming emotions. You will have a good time and playing is a very good way to learn.
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Step 3: Using visual aids or gestures to identify them
Pictures in books or magazines are an additional help in training children with autism to recognize emotions. After identifying them on your face, it is essential that they also know how to express their own feelings and are able to define them among the pictures.
Just give the child the pictures representing the emotions he learned and ask him to describe the features of each picture. Use small gestures or mimicry in a game, it will be more fun to keep the child attentive.
Step 4: Redo the sequences by representing the emotions with schematized facial expressions
This is one of the most fun ways to help a child with autism develop emotional skills. Work with posters that represent all the emotions and have your child place the corresponding strokes in other columns. Repeat the exercises until they can complete them independently.
In conclusion, learning while having fun is certainly the best way to teach a child. Moreover, taking the time to express emotions and making a connection with the situation allows them to understand the meaning of the situation and to learn how to better cope with it.
Step 5: Practicing Emotion Recognition in Real-Life Situations
Once your child has a foundational understanding of emotions, it’s crucial to practice recognizing them in real-life scenarios. This can be done through various activities:
- Role-Playing: Engage in role-playing games where you and your child can act out different emotional scenarios. This helps them connect emotions with real-life situations.
- Observation: During outings, encourage your child to observe people’s facial expressions and body language. Ask questions like, “How do you think that person feels?”
- Storytelling: Read stories together and discuss the characters’ emotions. Ask your child how they think the characters feel and why.
By integrating emotion recognition into everyday life, your child will develop a deeper understanding of emotions and improve their social interactions.
Step 6: Encouraging Emotional Expression through Art
Art can be a powerful medium for children to express their feelings. Encourage your child to use various forms of art to convey their emotions:
- Drawing and Painting: Provide your child with art supplies and ask them to create drawings that represent how they feel. Discuss their artwork to further explore their emotions.
- Music and Dance: Encourage them to express emotions through music or dance. They can choose songs that resonate with their feelings and interpret them through movement.
- Craft Projects: Use craft materials to create emotion-related projects, such as making emotion masks or emotion wheels.
Artistic expression not only fosters creativity but also allows children to articulate feelings they may struggle to verbalize.
Step 7: Building Empathy through Group Activities
Empathy is a crucial aspect of emotional intelligence. Group activities can help children with autism develop empathy and understand others’ emotions better:
- Team Sports: Participating in team sports teaches children about cooperation and understanding teammates’ feelings during wins and losses.
- Community Service: Involve your child in community service projects. Helping others can enhance their understanding of different emotional experiences.
- Group Discussions: Organize small group discussions where children can share their feelings and listen to others. This promotes active listening and emotional sharing.
Through these activities, children can learn to recognize and empathize with the emotions of their peers, enhancing their social skills.
Step 8: Utilizing Technology for Emotional Learning
In today’s digital age, technology can be a valuable tool in teaching children about emotions. Consider the following resources:
- Apps: There are numerous apps designed specifically to help children with autism recognize and express emotions through interactive games and activities.
- Online Videos: Educational videos that showcase different emotions can provide visual context and help children understand emotional cues.
- Virtual Reality: Some programs use virtual reality to simulate social situations, allowing children to practice emotional recognition in a safe environment.
By incorporating technology into emotional learning, you can engage your child in a way that resonates with their interests and enhances their understanding of emotions.
