Wandering: Proactive strategies for calming the nervous system Some children run when they are excited and over-aroused, and some run for excitement when under-aroused. Some children run for the sake of running (find it enjoyable), some like the freedom of escape, and some enjoy the attention of having others chase them. The child may run for one of these functions or for several of them. Often times running can serve multiple purposes, each requiring different strategies. Some of the strategies below can help with these children. Reminder: Wandering is a very dangerous behavior. Only use these techniques under the guidance of a professional following a thorough assessment. 1. If the children are sensory defensive and over-sensitive to stimulation they may run when their nervous system is overloaded in events where there is a lot of uncertainty or too much stimulation. If the child is anxious about the uncertainty of the event or because of sensory bombardment, he will run to escape the unpleasant situation. 2. For the sensory sensitive child, you need to be aware of his sensitivities and provide accommodations for them. Such strategies as wearing a brim cap and/or sun glasses to mask bright light, or ear plugs or head phones to muffle noise, or using fidget toys to sooth the anxious nervous systems will often help. Other strategies would be to avoid high stimulating events, go late and leave early to cut the activity short, and/or take frequent breaks can be helpful. 3. If children are over-active or under-aroused, they are likely to enjoy the excitement of running. Some kids will get very anxious when they are under-aroused, setting them off to run to create strong stimulation. I find a strong sensory diet of a lot of movement (bouncing on a trampoline, running, jumping, climbing, etc.) for twenty minutes at a time will help calm and organize the nervous system. Some kids require extensive amounts of movement and exertion to satisfy their nervous system. I have found that a good sensory evaluation, with a sensory diet tailored to the child’s nervous system needs, can be very effective in reducing running. 4. Find a large fenced in area that is safe for the child to run free. Many elementary schools have large fenced off property, and some parks also have large fenced off areas. This allows the child to run freely without restrictions. Allow the child to run as they please with little interruption. 5. For children who love the attention of others chasing them, if possible try not to run after them. Follow them, but minimize your emotional reaction so as not to provide strong excitable reactions. Take the bang out of the bite! When redirecting, focus verbally on what you want the child to do, not on what they are doing wrong (running). React very calmly so as not to reinforce the running with strong attention. 6. Sometimes if the children do not get out much, they are eager to test the extremes. Providing them frequent exposure to being outside and in community outing can lessen the novelty and excitability, minimizing their excitability in community events. Since parents with children who run tend to minimize the child’s access to out of home events, the novelty of going out will often stimulate more excitement to run. Sometimes providing increase exposure to event that stimulates running will lessen the novelty and excitability. If your child runs because it is “fun” and exciting, then the above strategies should help to lower the excitability factor of the event, as well as calm the child’s nervous system. These children are often difficult to watch because you don’t know when they will dart off. There is often little warning that running will occur. This ends our series on wandering. Usually a comprehensive plan will include several, if not many, of the strategies listed in the above posts. It is important to work with a professional to evaluate the function(s) of the wandering/running and build a plan with strategies that meet the specifics needs of your child.
Posted on: Thu, 22 Aug 2013 10:10:49 +0000
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