Managing Family Meltdown: The Low Arousal Approach and Autism

Challenging behaviour, violent outbursts and meltdowns can put a strain on the entire family of a child on the autism spectrum. This book offers practical, long-term and effective strategies to help resolve common challenging behaviours using a low arousal approach - a non-aversive approach based on avoiding confrontation and reducing stress and anxiety. Managing Family Meltdown provides explanations for challenging behaviours, and offers a wealth of guidance on how families can manage different types of challenging behaviour, such as physical aggression and self-injury. The authors explore the difference between managing and changing behaviour; how our own behaviour can influence the situation; and show how by reducing stress and anxiety children are better able to process information becoming less likely to react in challenging ways. The pros and cons of medication and ways to look after your own health are also discussed. This hands-on, practical book is appropriate for children who are non-verbal, as well as those with higher functioning autism and will be indispensable for families, carers and anyone involved with children on the autism spectrum.

About the Author:

Linda Woodcock is the National Lead on Parent and Family Training for The Studio III Group, an organization specializing in non-aversive behaviour management. Linda also has a son on the autism spectrum with challenging behaviours. Andrea Page is Senior Lecturer in the clinical skills division at Birmingham City University teaching student nurses. She also supports community nurses in assessing, devising care plans and teaching parents, other family carers and siblings practical techniques to manage challenging behaviour.