Coping Skills

Coping skills are beneficial for everyone. It is easy for anyone to feel overwhelmed when experiencing stress. Teaching effective coping skills can help reduce anxiety and maladaptive behaviors while increasing adaptability. DeChristofaro (2020) discusses the effectiveness of teaching coping strategies in both direct care settings and social skills groups for adolescents with autism between the ages of 10 and 19. Here are some helpful tips for teaching coping skills to your clients:

Tips for Teaching Coping Skills

• Teach coping skills when your client is feeling calm and focused. It is difficult to learn coping strategies in the moment when they are needed immediately.

• Demonstrate coping skills. As therapists, it is our responsibility to maintain a positive demeanor, but modeling how to express and manage emotions appropriately is a great way to normalize experiencing and handling uncomfortable feelings.

• Remember that coping skills are not just for overcoming uncomfortable emotions. They can also be used to calm overexcitement and improve focus!

• Encourage clients to assess their emotions before and after engaging in coping skills. Teaching The Zones of Regulation is a great way for clients to identify their feelings and choose an appropriate coping strategy.

• Coping skills require ongoing practice. Clients need opportunities to apply these skills in their natural environments, which can take time. It is okay to create minor, controlled situations where your client can experience manageable upsetting emotions. For example, they might practice tolerating losing a game or separating from their parents.

• Vary the coping skills you teach! Different strategies work for different clients. Here are a few to try:

Coping Strategies to Teach Clients

• Zones of Regulation Song:
  Watch this video to introduce the concept in an engaging way: Zones of Regulation Song – YouTube

• Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT):
  Tapping various parts of the body (e.g., the top of the head, chest, or hands) has been shown to relieve stress and promote relaxation. Check out this kid-friendly EFT video: Tapping for Kids with Alison – YouTube

• Breathing Boards:
  Have your client draw shapes with their fingers while matching their motion to their breath. This allows them to focus on only two things at once: breathing and tracing. Video breathing boards can also be helpful for clients to follow along visually: Mindful Breathing Boards – YouTube

• Mantras:
  Teach your client simple, direct mantras they can use when experiencing uncomfortable emotions. These should be short and affirming, such as:

  • "Feeling angry is okay."
  • "I can handle this."
  • "I am safe and calm."

• Five Senses Grounding Exercise:
  This technique helps redirect attention and promote mindfulness. Have your client identify:

  • Five things they can see
  • Four things they can hear
  • Three things they can touch
  • Two things they can smell
  • One thing they can taste

Reference

DeChristofaro, R. (2021). Social and emotional coping skills: Adolescents diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (Order No. 28154734). Available from ProQuest One Academic. (2460771933). Retrieved from ProQuest