3 Things Parents Can Do To Help Kids Calm Under Pressure
Last updated on January 1st, 2018 at 02:48 pm
Self-regulation is the ability to monitor and control our own behavior, thoughts or feelings altering them in accordance with the demands of a situation. While we often expect children to be well-modulated, it is most helpful when we teach them what being regulated “feels like”.
Whether you teach, love or parent children from pre-school to high school, having the “felt sense” of internal regulation is helpful at any age. Here are 3 simple activities to help students experience self-regulation. RIGHT CLICK on the IMAGE to download for personal and professional use.
1. Talk with your children about the fact that we all have an engine inside us that revs up or calms down depending on what we are doing. When we feel excited, anxious or nervous our engines rev up. We need to be our brains “best coaches” by helping our bodies calm down.
2. Model for the child how to “coach” their brain.
Step 1: Help your child begin to notice his own escalation. “Let’s talk about what it feels like when you are in class and your teacher calls on you. What happens to your body? Does your heart begin to race? Do you think, ‘It’s my turn now, she’s going to ask me a question.’”
“In that moment, you want to coach your brain to be alert while your body remains calm. So when you hear your name called, take a big deep breath and turn toward your teacher so that you can hear what she asks you.”
Step 2: “When we feel anxious we tend to rush, so remember, go ‘Slow-Mo’. Slowing down and being present will help you to focus, think and respond.”
3. Practice. Role-play different scenarios. “What happens when…” How will we be our ‘brain’s best coach’? What will we say to ourselves? What will we notice about how our body feels? What will we do to remain alert yet calm? Think about a time when you feel calm. How does your body feel then? That’s the feeling we are aiming for when we feel anxious or stressed.
Helping children begin to be mindful of the felt sense of the difference in feeling revved up or calmed down is the beginning to better self-control.
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Written for teachers, educators, and clinicians whose work involves playing, talking or teaching children who would benefit from better executive function and social-emotional learning skills, 70 Play Activities incorporates over 100 research studies into printable worksheets, handouts, and guided scripts with step-by-step directions, to empower children to learn and behave better. “With 70 Play Activities we aim to improve the trajectory of children’s learning by integrating the newest neuroscience with activities children love!” With over 70 activities designed to improve thinking, self-regulation, learning and behavior, your tool-kit will be full and your creative brain will be inspired to craft your own meaningful exercises. 70 Play Activities is available at amazon.com
Sensory Friendly Screening of Justice League, Tomorrow at AMC
Last updated on December 2nd, 2017 at 01:13 pm
AMC Entertainment (AMC) has expanded their Sensory Friendly Films program in partnership with the Autism Society. This Tuesday evening, families affected by autism or other special needs have the opportunity to view a sensory friendly screening of Justice League, a film that may appeal to older audiences on the autism spectrum.
As always, the movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
AMC and the Autism Society will be showing Justice League sensory friendly tomorrow, Tuesday, November 28th at 7pm (local time). Tickets can be as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Coming in December: Coco (Sat 12/9); Wonder (Tues 12/12); Star Wars: The Last Jedi (Sat 12/23) and (Tues 12/26)
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Editor’s note: Justice League has been chosen by AMC and the Autism Society for a Tuesday Sensory Friendly “Mature Audience” screening. Parents should be advised that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for sequences of sci-fi violence and action. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Anxiety and Depression in Children: 5 Warning Signs to Watch For
Last updated on December 2nd, 2017 at 01:13 pm
Winter is approaching fast and along with it, cold wet weather and the usual assortment of colds and cold weather maladies. By now your children should have already received their Flu vaccines. If not, get that done now; flu season has already begun. Your child should be well into the school year and the stresses of homework and other school responsibilities are beginning to take their toll.
Anxiety and depression in children are being recognized at a younger and younger age and you should be able to identify symptoms related to these issues. Some researchers claim that up to 6 – 8 % of adolescents are depressed or exhibit anxiety. Look for unexplained changes in your child’s personality or behavior and a sudden drop in grades.
- Has your child always been very social and overtly friendly and now prefers to be alone and do solitary things? Has he or she been avoiding crowds and acting more isolated? Has she/she expressed feelings of sadness or disinterest in activities in which she/he was very interested for some time? Has your child expressed feelings of loneliness or poor self-esteem?
- Have you been monitoring his/her use of social media (this should be a constant for you) and find his/her interests have changed dramatically?
- Has your child become more secretive and more prone to destructive or particularly self-destructive behavior? Always ask them about smoking, alcohol and sexual activity! This is a difficult conversation to have but is a must in order to monitor your child’s social development.
- Is your child sad or more emotional (tough to distinguish between normal adolescent behavior)? Angry or irritable? Having difficulty sleeping? Is there a change in eating habits? Loss of energy or speaking about death or suicide?
- You need to be aware that when a teen talks about suicide there is a significant chance on carrying through on these thoughts and this should be an alarm bell – boys more so than girls.
Any combination of things mentioned above should be brought to the attention of his/her Doctor as soon as possible. Occasionally any of these signs can be displayed for short periods of time without definite problems but if they last longer than about 2 weeks and if they seem to be interfering with normal everyday activities, consider them worthy of evaluation. Depression and anxiety can be treated, but ignoring it can lead to further problems as your child gets older.
Raising children in our current social and economic environment is very difficult and with the ease of obtaining drugs/alcohol, it requires constant monitoring and parenting. You are not your child’s friend, you are his/her parent and you should be constantly advising and leading by example.
Saturday Take The Kids To See COCO, It’s Sensory Friendly at AMC
Last updated on December 2nd, 2017 at 01:13 pm
Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Coco on Saturday, November 25th and December 9th at 10am (local time). Tickets are as low as $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to come in November: Justice League (Tues 11/28)
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Editor’s note: Although Coco has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG by the Motion Picture Association of America for some thematic elements. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
Student Mental Health – How to Get Help When They Need It
Last updated on February 15th, 2018 at 05:57 pm
Mental health problems are as common among students as they are in the general population.
But it’s not just students who have a diagnosed mental health condition that can benefit from counselling.
Alan Percy, head of counselling at the University of Oxford, says: “A lot of difficulties are not caused by medical problems, but by normal life problems, such as family or relationship issues, or anxiety about their work.
“While these problems are distressing, through counselling we can help students to understand them, and then suggest strategies for dealing with their feelings.”
When to get help
It’s normal to feel down, anxious or stressed from time to time, but if these feelings affect your daily activities, including your studies, or don’t go away after a couple of weeks, get help.
Signs of depression and anxiety include:
- feeling low
- feeling more anxious or agitated than usual
- losing interest in life
- losing motivation
Some people also:
- put on or lose weight
- stop caring about the way they look or about keeping clean
- do too much work
- stop attending lectures
- become withdrawn
- have sleep problems
Where to go for help
Talk to someone
Telling someone how you feel, whether it’s a friend, counsellor or doctor, may bring an immediate sense of relief.
It’s a good idea to talk to someone you trust first, such as a friend, member of your family or a tutor.
This is especially important if your studies are being affected. Many mild mental health problems can be resolved this way.
University counselling services
Many colleges and most universities have a free and confidential in-house counselling service you can access, with professionally qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.
You can usually find out what they offer and how to make an appointment in the counselling service section of your university’s website. This free service in universities is available to both undergraduates and postgraduates.
Many universities also have a mental health adviser who can help you access the support you need.
As well as counselling or therapy, you may also be entitled to “reasonable adjustments” such as extra time in exams, extensions on coursework, and specialist mental health mentor support.
Student-led services
Many student unions also offer student-led services. Although the students involved aren’t qualified counsellors, you may prefer to talk about problems such as stress and depression with another student.
Online self-help
There are also online self-help services you may like to explore, such as NHS Choices’ Moodzone and the Students Against Depression website.
When to see your GP (* physician)
For more serious or longer-lasting mental health symptoms, see your GP as you may need prescribed treatment or referral to a specialist.
If you have or develop a mental health condition that requires treatment, it’s important to arrange continuity of care between your college doctor and your family GP.
A mental health adviser can support this communication. Your condition may worsen if moving between university and home results in a gap in treatment.
Therapy and counselling
Counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers an opportunity to explore the underlying issues of your unhappiness or any worries you have in a safe environment, including helping you develop ways of coping.
As well as university or college counselling services, you might be able to refer yourself for NHS counselling. Search for psychological therapy services** in the UK to find out what’s available in your area.
The University Mental Health Advisers Network (UMHAN)** represents the network of mental health advisers working in higher education dedicated to providing practical support to UK students experiencing mental health difficulties.
Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)
At all UK universities, you have the opportunity to apply for a Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA)**.
Your mental health adviser can help you apply for a DSA, but you will need to provide evidence of a long-term mental health condition.
The DSA pays for:
- specialist equipment, such as a computer, if you need it because of your mental health condition or another disability
- non-medical helpers
- extra travel as a result of your mental health condition or disability
- other disability-related costs of studying
Even if you decide not to apply for a DSA, the mental health adviser will still be able to let you know what support is available.
Drugs, drink and mental health in students
If you’re feeling low or stressed, you may be tempted to drink more alcohol or relax by smoking cannabis.
Consider how this may make you feel in the longer term though, as your mood could slip, making you feel a lot worse.
Some cannabis users can have unpleasant experiences, including confusion, hallucinations, anxiety and paranoia.
There’s also growing evidence that long-term cannabis use can double your risk of developing a serious mental illness, such as schizophrenia.
Ecstasy and amphetamines can also bring on schizophrenia, and amphetamines can induce other forms of psychosis.
Any underlying mental disorder could be worsened by drug and alcohol use.
Read more articles about drugs.
Editor’s Note: *clarification provided for our US readers.
** Resources in the United States
- Active Minds is a non-profit providing educational resources and support for college students.
- Psychology Today’s Mental Health Professional Directory – provides a detailed resource of specialists
- The Mental Health and Addiction Network provides listings of charitable mental health resources available to families
- SSA.gov – can help you identify what benefits are available from Social Security for children and young adults with disabilities
From www.nhs.uk
Thor: Ragnarok is Sensory Friendly Twice in November at AMC
Last updated on November 17th, 2017 at 11:32 pm
Since 2007, AMC Entertainment (AMC) and the Autism Society have teamed up to bring families affected by autism and other special needs “Sensory Friendly Films” every month – a wonderful opportunity to enjoy fun new films in a safe and accepting environment.
The movie auditoriums will have their lights turned up and the sound turned down. Families will be able to bring in snacks to match their child’s dietary needs (i.e. gluten-free, casein-free, etc.), there are no advertisements or previews before the movie and it’s totally acceptable to get up and dance, walk, shout, talk to each other…and even sing – in other words, AMC’s “Silence is Golden®” policy will not be enforced during movie screenings unless the safety of the audience is questioned.
Does it make a difference? Absolutely! Imagine …no need to shhhhh your child. No angry stares from other movie goers. Many parents think twice before bringing a child to a movie theater. Add to that your child’s special needs and it can easily become cause for parental panic. But on this one day a month, for this one screening, everyone is there to relax and have a good time, everyone expects to be surrounded by kids – with and without special needs – and the movie theater policy becomes “Tolerance is Golden“.
Families affected by autism or other special needs can view a sensory friendly screening of Thor: Ragnarok on Saturday, November 11th at 10am and Tuesday November 14th at 7pm (local time). Tickets are typically $4 to $6 depending on the location. To find a theatre near you, here is a list of AMC theatres nationwide participating in this fabulous program (note: to access full list, please scroll to the bottom of the page).
Still to come in November: Thor: Ragnarok (Tues 11/14); COCO (Sat 11/25); Justice League (Tues 11/28)
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Editor’s note: Although Thor: Ragnarok has been chosen by the AMC and the Autism Society as this month’s Sensory Friendly Film, we do want parents to know that it is rated PG-13 by the Motion Picture Association of America for intense sequences of sci-fi violence and action, and brief suggestive material. As always, please check the IMDB Parents Guide for a more detailed description of this film to determine if it is right for you and your family.
