Emotional Regulation and Autism: 6 Best Activities to Try

Key Points:

• Emotional regulation in autism is linked to sensory processing, communication skills, and coping strategies, and can be improved with structured support.
• Activities like deep breathing, sensory play, and emotion labeling help children build calm, focus, and self-awareness.
• ABA therapy can provide structured, personalized approaches to help children practice emotional regulation in daily life.

Emotional regulation is one of the most common challenges for children with autism. Unlike typical temper tantrums or occasional frustration, emotional dysregulation in autism can involve intense outbursts, rapid mood changes, or difficulty calming down after stress. These reactions often stem from differences in sensory processing, difficulty expressing needs, and executive function challenges. For parents, it can feel overwhelming—seeing a child melt down, struggling to communicate, or reacting strongly to minor stressors.

The good news is that emotional regulation can improve with the right strategies and consistent support. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, for example, focuses on breaking skills into manageable steps, reinforcing positive behaviors, and teaching coping strategies. 

In this article, we’ll explore six effective activities parents can use to help children with autism develop emotional regulation skills at home or in therapy.

Understanding Emotional Regulation in Autism

Before diving into activities, it’s important to understand what emotional regulation is and why it can be difficult for children on the spectrum. Emotional regulation refers to the ability to recognize, understand, and manage feelings in a socially appropriate and adaptive way. Children with autism may experience:

• Sensory sensitivities: Noises, lights, or textures can trigger overstimulation and emotional outbursts.
• Communication difficulties: Limited language or challenges expressing needs can lead to frustration.
• Executive function differences: Difficulty planning, transitioning, or controlling impulses can exacerbate emotions.

By identifying triggers and building strategies, parents and therapists can provide the tools children need to respond to emotions rather than react impulsively. The activities outlined below target both emotional awareness and coping skills—skills that are central to long-term independence and confidence.

1. Deep Breathing and Mindful Practices

Teaching a child to pause and breathe can be a game-changer for emotional regulation. Deep breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping to slow heart rate and reduce stress. Mindful practices also encourage focus and body awareness.

How to Introduce Deep Breathing

1. Visual Breathing Cues: Use a pinwheel, bubbles, or a small balloon. Show your child how to blow slowly and watch the object move. This turns breathing into a visual, interactive activity.
2. Box Breathing: Teach inhaling for 4 counts, holding for 4 counts, exhaling for 4 counts, and pausing for 4 counts. This rhythmical pattern provides structure and predictability.
3. Guided Mindfulness: Short, guided audio tracks with simple instructions can help children focus on their breathing, body, or surroundings. Begin with one to two minutes and gradually increase.

These exercises not only calm the body but also help children recognize the connection between physical sensations and emotions. Over time, they can practice these strategies independently during stressful situations.

2. Sensory Play and Regulation Tools

Sensory play is crucial because emotional dysregulation often stems from sensory overload or under-stimulation. Activities that engage tactile, proprioceptive, and vestibular senses help children process stimuli and self-soothe.

Examples of Sensory Activities

• Weighted Blankets or Lap Pads: Applying deep pressure can calm the nervous system. Encourage the child to use these during reading, homework, or downtime.
• Fidget Toys or Therapy Putty: Squeezing, stretching, or manipulating objects allows a child to release tension while staying focused.
• Movement-Based Play: Swinging, jumping, or rocking can regulate energy levels and provide sensory input needed for emotional balance.
• Water or Sand Play: Pouring, molding, or scooping materials can have a calming, repetitive effect that aids focus and relaxation.

By offering predictable and controlled sensory experiences, parents can reduce triggers for emotional dysregulation and teach children how to self-soothe before frustration escalates.

3. Emotion Labeling and Expression

Understanding and identifying feelings is foundational for emotional regulation. Children with autism often struggle to recognize emotions in themselves and others, which can lead to outbursts or withdrawal. Structured exercises can bridge this gap.

Practical Strategies

• Emotion Flashcards: Use cards with faces or cartoons depicting different emotions. Practice naming feelings together and discuss situations when the emotion might appear.
• Feelings Journal: Older children can draw or write about their emotions daily. This helps identify patterns and triggers.
• Emotion Thermometer: Create a visual scale (1–5) to show increasing intensity of feelings. Teach the child to indicate where they are before emotions escalate.
• Role-Playing: Act out social situations and practice responding calmly to frustrating or unexpected events.

Labeling and practicing emotional responses provides language and strategies for coping, reducing frustration and improving communication with parents, peers, and teachers.

4. Structured Movement Breaks

Transitions or long tasks can be especially challenging for children with autism, often resulting in meltdowns. Structured movement breaks allow a child to release energy, reset focus, and prevent escalation.

How to Implement Movement Breaks

1. Scheduled Intervals: Every 30–60 minutes, encourage a 3–5 minute movement activity like jumping jacks, stretching, or a short walk.
2. Task Completion Rewards: Use movement as a reward for completing a challenging activity. This reinforces positive behavior and emotional control.
3. Obstacle Courses: Simple indoor or outdoor courses that involve crawling, balancing, or hopping can improve coordination and self-regulation.
4. Yoga or Animal Walks: Imitating poses or movements strengthens body awareness and provides calming proprioceptive input.

Movement breaks aren’t just fun—they provide predictable outlets for energy and frustration, helping children stay regulated throughout daily routines.

5. Visual Schedules and Predictable Routines

A consistent routine reduces uncertainty, which is a common trigger for emotional dysregulation in children with autism. Visual schedules provide a tangible roadmap for the day, giving children a sense of control and predictability.

Tips for Visual Schedules

• Use Pictures or Icons: Represent activities with clear images for younger children or children with limited reading skills.
• Color Coding: Assign colors to different types of activities (green for calm tasks, red for transitions) to reinforce understanding.
• Step-by-Step Breakdown: Break down multi-step tasks, like getting dressed or brushing teeth, into individual visual steps.
• Choice Options: Offer limited choices (e.g., “Do you want to do puzzle or coloring first?”) to promote autonomy while maintaining structure.

By knowing what to expect, children can anticipate transitions and prepare themselves emotionally, reducing anxiety and meltdowns.

6. Social Stories and Coping Scripts

Social stories are short, structured narratives that help children understand social situations, expectations, and appropriate responses. Paired with coping scripts, they provide concrete tools for managing emotions in real-life scenarios.

How to Use Social Stories

1. Identify Trigger Situations: Focus on events that often lead to frustration, anxiety, or meltdowns (e.g., waiting in line, sharing toys).
2. Create a Narrative: Write or illustrate a simple story describing the situation, feelings involved, and appropriate responses.
3. Practice with Repetition: Read the story together daily, role-play the scenario, and model coping strategies.
4. Include Coping Scripts: Short, simple phrases like “I can take a deep breath” or “I can ask for help” guide the child through emotional regulation in real time.

Over time, children learn to anticipate challenges and apply coping strategies independently, reinforcing both emotional awareness and self-control.

Why ABA Therapy Supports Emotional Regulation

Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy isn’t just for teaching academics or social skills—it’s a powerful tool for emotional regulation. ABA therapists assess triggers, teach coping skills, and reinforce strategies through consistent practice. For example:

• Practicing deep breathing in response to frustration.
• Using visual schedules and social stories as part of therapy sessions.
• Reinforcing calm behavior after a challenging task.

At Treetop ABA Therapy, our programs are tailored to each child’s strengths and needs, helping them build confidence and independence. Families can access ABA therapy in New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado, Georgia, and Oklahoma, focusing on practical skills for daily life, including emotional regulation, social connection, and coping strategies.

Helping children with autism learn to recognize, understand, and manage emotions takes time, patience, and structured support. By combining strategies like deep breathing, sensory play, emotion labeling, movement breaks, visual schedules, and social stories, parents can provide a toolkit that empowers their child to navigate everyday challenges with more calm and confidence. ABA therapy reinforces these skills systematically, giving children repeated practice, guidance, and encouragement to succeed in real-world situations.

If you’re ready to support your child’s emotional growth, reach out to us today.