For some children, sensory toys such as squeeze balls and fidget toys, weighted blankets, their favorite videos, or activities can help them manage their emotions. You can set up a calming routine that the child practices on a regular basis, and make it part of their daily schedule.
You could use visual cues like pictures of headphones or a quiet place. Try not to say too much. Instead use pictures or written words to guide your child to a safe, quiet place and suggest calming strategies. Give your child space and don't touch them.
Our top pick for magnesium supplement for autistic kids is Mary Ruth's Kids Magnesium Calm Gummies. In addition to magnesium, this supplement contains L-theanine, an amino acid that has been associated with mitigating stress and promoting relaxation.
The SSRIs most commonly prescribed to autistic people are fluoxetine and sertraline. Sertraline is often the top choice because its side effects are milder than those of other SSRIs and because it has fewer interactions with other drugs.
Nonetheless, medicines such as risperidone and aripiprazole can be beneficial in ways that can ease these core symptoms, because relieving irritability often improves sociability while reducing tantrums, aggressive outbursts and self-injurious behaviors.
Some people with autism need space to calm down, while others may prefer to be hugged tightly or have their back or arms rubbed. Once you figure out your child's triggers and the techniques that help calm your child, it will become easier to prevent meltdowns and help your child to recover faster from them.
For many children with neurodevelopmental issues, they are seeing, hearing, feeling, and generally experiencing the world in a more intense way. Their stress-response system could be going all day long. Without enough magnesium, cortisol levels will increase making it hard for them to go to sleep and stay asleep.
Some evidence indicates that magnesium could also be involved in neurological diseases such as attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder and autism. However, no direct study has been published to confirm this assumption.
This book describes a model of positive behavior supports for preventing and responding to the cycle of meltdown behavior for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). The model includes six phases: Calm, Triggers, Agitation, Meltdowns, Re-Grouping, and Starting Over.
Vitamin B6 and magnesium to ease autism symptoms
The theory is that a child with ASD may show improved behavior once vitamin B6 and magnesium is introduced into the diet.
Dopamine
Numerous studies have suggested that ASD could be linked to dopaminergic dysfunction and have hypothesized that dopamine imbalances in specific brain regions could lead to autistic behaviors [71].
If your child can fall asleep well without melatonin but has trouble staying asleep, melatonin will not be effective. If you've tried melatonin with your child and it has stopped working, or never worked, you can also try supplementing with magnesium citrate and some calcium, either with food or vitamins.
Melatonin is safe for long-term use in autistic children who have difficulty sleeping, according to a new study1. The study tracked the sleep hormone's effects in autistic children over a two-year period.
Melatonin is used to help people who have trouble sleeping – for example, because of jet lag or shift work. It can also be used to help with sleep problems in children, including autistic children.
In conclusion, there are many factors that can make autism worse. Sensory overload, changes in routine, social isolation, co-occurring conditions, and lack of support can all exacerbate the symptoms of autism.
Make adaptations to the environment where possible, for example lower unnatural light if too harsh. Try noise-cancelling headphones to reduce sensory overload. Use sensory tools and stimming to reduce anxiety levels, if that works for you. Try relaxation methods such as meditation, mindfulness, yoga and exercise.
A new review in the peer-reviewed journal Psychedelic Medicine describes the complex pharmacology of methylenedioxy amphetamine analogs, or MDXX drugs, and how they may help treat autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Mood stabilizing autism medication
Lithium, Lamictal, Depakene, Depakote, Tegretol, Topamax, Trileptal, and Keppra are options to explore with your child's pediatrician.
When Does Autism Get Easier? A new study found that around 30% of young autistic children have less severe symptoms at age 6 than they did at age 3. Interestingly, some children lose their autism diagnoses entirely.