Parent/Guardian Tips
Managing Aggression
- Set clear expectations prior to behavioral escalation
- Identify triggers and patterns to aggressive behavior and plan ways to circumvent dangerous situations
- Focus on SAFETY issues over all else
- Modify the environment to reduce risk
- Create a support team (family, friends, neighbors, therapist, local crisis assistance, psychiatrist, case manager, etc.)
- Make a crisis plan with your team
- Call 911 is the situation is imminently dangerous
Sleep Difficulties
- Set a regular schedule and stick to it 7 nights a week, bed time is bed time
- Create a winding down ritual that is the same each night (bath, brush
teeth, read story, nightlight, etc.) - Avoid energizing foods 2 hours before bedtime
- Brainstorm with your child during the day as to when sleep is difficult and what
might help (cup of decaf tea, stuffed animal, etc.) - Talk to your doctor if the condition continues or worsens
Healthy Eating
- Make healthy food choices and look at the food pyramid
- Avoid fast food or highly processed foods with ingredients you cannot pronounce
- Remember that exercise is an important component of a healthy lifestyle
- Eat a variety of nutrient-rich foods
- Enjoy plenty of whole grains, fruits and vegetables
- Eat moderate portions and eat at regular times
- Balance your food choices over time and make changes gradually
- Remember, foods are not good or bad if you keep portion sizes reasonable
Creating a Safe Environment
- Remove sharps (knives of any kind, scissors, etc.) to a secret location, or use a padlock with a code
- Be aware of fragile items or items that may be used as a weapon and put in storage out of sight
- If needed, put a lock on the door to your bedroom (parent or guardian) to keep child out of your space
- Create a safe space in your home where your child may go when deregulated or upset
- Talk to your community therapist or crisis team to co-create ideas for how to improve safety
Running Away
- Work with your child's therapist to determine why your child is
attempting to run away (anxiety and anger are 2 common reasons) - Identify if they are "running from" or "running to"
- Agree on a safe location to "run to" such as a tree fort or a child's room
- Create a 1-10 scale where your child tells you how much they feel like
running away, check in regularly - Make a list of why running away could be dangerous
Honesty
- Using positive language praise an act of honesty however small
- Use teachable moments to illustrate the benefits of honesty
- Co-create a list of people your child can look up to who are honest and upstanding
- Instead of using words like "lying" or "manipulation" work on "giving accurate information" or "expressing your needs in words"
- Say exactly what happened if you’re asked to provide information
- Being honest does not mean that you have to confront all of your issues at once
- Admit to mistakes or errors if you made them
- Being honest lets other people know they can trust you
- Being honest with yourself is the first step to rebuilding relationships