Praxis TEACCH: ¿Komm mal runter! - Bleib cool!¿

Living with autism means stress. The different perception and processing of stimuli make life in a neurotypical world extremely exhausting. Additionally, the mechanisms in the brain responsible for handling stress do not function or are not as effective. Therefore, effective strategies to counteract stress are all the more important. Common relaxation techniques often assume that the person can interpret and consciously influence their bodily sensations. Often, a creative imagination is also required, and abstract instructions need to be implemented. This is where individuals on the autism spectrum often encounter challenges. Taking these autism-specific hurdles into account, the idea box "Calm Down - Stay Cool" offers a wealth of practical suggestions and tested materials for stress regulation specifically for individuals on the autism spectrum. In addition to autism-specific strategies that consider particular aspects of autistic perception and thinking, it also addresses how to visually design instructions for relaxing activities or make them understandable in very concrete ways. Special attention is given to suggestions for cognitively and linguistically severely limited individuals on the autism spectrum. Alongside relaxation strategies based on stimulus reduction, distraction, targeted stimulation, or physical activity, cognitive strategies also have their place. Finally, there are suggestions for individuals who possess strong linguistic and cognitive abilities and can actively participate in the development of individual stress-regulating measures. The book is aimed at all those who support individuals on the autism spectrum in educational situations and daily life.