May is Mental Health Awareness Month, which is dedicated to promoting mental wellbeing for all and challenging stigmas. For parents and caregivers of autistic children, this month offers a meaningful opportunity to reflect on how to best support their child’s psychological and emotional health. While autism is a spectrum and every individual’s journey is unique, one thing is constant: every autistic child deserves the opportunity to thrive and lead a fulfilling, joyful life.
If you are wondering how to better support an autistic child’s mental wellbeing this May Mental Health Awareness Month, no need to get lost in endless internet searches. As the CEO at Above and Beyond Therapy, where we provide personalized ABA therapy in Virginia, I have seen firsthand a number of often overlooked strategies that can make a real difference. Here are 10 valuable tip to keep in mind:
Validate Their Experience Without Trying to “Fix” It
Autistic children may feel overwhelmed in social situations, especially when routines change or when they feel misunderstood or excluded. These experiences can cause stress and anxiety and lower their overall mental wellbeing, so it’s paramount to help them recognize and navigate those feelings. Rather than rushing to offer solutions, focus on listening to the child with empathy and understanding. Reassure them that it is completely okay to feel overwhelmed or different, and that seeking out support and taking a break is healthy and encouraged.
Providing validation and listening without immediately offering solutions builds trust, emotional safety, and self-awareness, all of which are key to building resilience.
Use Mental Health Language They Can Understand
Autistic children may process language and communication differently, so clarity and simplicity are essential when discussing mental health. Avoid abstract language, metaphors, or complex sentences. Instead, use clear and concrete words that directly reflect the message you are trying to convey. Since many autistic children interpret language literally, it is helpful to break down concepts like “anxiety” or “stress” into relatable examples. For example, describe how their body may feel in certain situations.
Visual supports like emotions charts can also help make these ideas more tangible and help them better understand and express their emotional experiences.
Build Downtime Into the Day
Autistic children may experience sensory overload or fatigue from structured activities and social demands. To support their wellbeing, it is important to intentionally include breaks throughout the day that offer time for rest and regulation.
Intentionally schedule quiet, unstructured breaks to help them recharge. Scheduled breaks allow your child to recharge, calm their minds, regulate emotions, and prevent burnout.
Respect Stimming as a Coping Tool
Short for self-stimulatory behavior, stimming refers to repetitive movements or sounds like rocking, hand-flapping, pacing, or spinning objects. For many autistic individuals, stimming is a natural and effective way to manage emotions, process sensory input, and navigate overwhelming situations. As long as the behavior isn’t harmful, there is no need to stop it. In fact, trying to suppress stimming can lead to increased anxiety, distress, or frustration.
Rather than discouraging it, recognize stimming as a valuable form of self-regulation and a part of how your child communicates and copes. Demonstrating acceptance of stimming helps foster emotional safety and reinforces that your child is supported just as they are.
Model Asking for Help
Learning to manage and regulate strong emotions can be especially challenging for autistic children, as they may not always know how or when to seek support. One of the most effective ways to teach this skill is by modeling it yourself. Demonstrate what it looks like to ask for help when you’re feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, or unsure. For example, you can use clear and simple language like “I’m not sure what to do, so I think I’ll ask someone for help.” This shows your child that reaching out is not only okay, but also it is a healthy and normal part of emotional self-care. Over time, the child will be more likely to mirror this behavior.
Incorporate Nature and Outdoor Time
Spending time in nature can have a calming and restorative effect on children, including those on the autism spectrum. Outdoor environments offer a break from overstimulating settings and help reduce stress, promote emotional regulation, and foster a sense of wellbeing. Even short periods in nature, such as a daily walk or time in a park, can make a big difference in an autistic child’s life. Not only does nature encourage sensory exploration in a gentle and engaging way, but also it supports the development of motor skills like coordination, balance, and agility. Regular outdoor play can also enhance language development and social interaction.
Create opportunities for unstructured time in nature to support both mental and physical wellbeing in an inclusive, low-pressure environment.
Avoid Over-Therapizing
Early diagnosis, timely intervention, and ABA therapy can play a vital role in supporting the development of autistic children. However, it is equally important to recognize that over-scheduling a child with back-to-back therapies isn’t always better. This can lead to sensory and emotional overload, fatigue, and even burnout for both the child and their family. While therapeutic support is paramount, so is preserving time for rest, unstructured play, and meaningful family interactions.
Kids need space to explore, relax, and simply be themselves. Striking a healthy balance between therapy and everyday life will support emotional wellbeing and help ensure that interventions are effective, sustainable, and respectful of the child’s pace and needs.
Celebrate Neurodiversity
Always talk about autism in a respectful, affirming, and positive way to help nurture self-acceptance and pride in an autistic child’s identity. Embracing neurodiversity means recognizing that neurological differences like autism are natural variations of the human experience not a “problem” that needs to be “fixed”. Autistic children bring their own unique strengths, insights, and ways of interacting with the world. When we highlight and celebrate these differences, we help foster a strong sense of self-worth, belonging, and confidence.
Encouraging inclusive environments that value neurodiverse perspectives not only empowers autistic individuals, but also it enriches the broader community by promoting acceptance, understanding, and mutual respect.
Be Mindful of Your Own Emotional Tone
Autistic children are often highly attuned to the emotional energy around them and may be especially sensitive to the tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language. Even subtle shifts in mood or stress can affect how safe and supported they feel. Therefore, maintaining a calm and steady presence (even in challenging situations) can help create a sense of emotional security. Always try to speak in a gentle, reassuring tone and be mindful that your nonverbal cues (gestures, facial expressions, etc.) match your words.
Consistently using positive language and offering specific praise for helpful behaviors can reinforce emotional safety and build confidence. Your emotional regulation can model healthy coping strategies and set the tone for a more supportive environment.
Introduce Journaling or Expression Through Art
Creative expression through journaling, drawing, painting, music, etc. can be a powerful outlet for autistic children to process and communicate their emotions. Since art does not rely on spoken language, it offers a safe and accessible way for autistic kids to express thoughts and feelings that may be difficult to verbalize. Visual journaling in particular allows children to explore their inner world using colors, shapes, and imagery. Whether it’s through sketching, sculpting out of clay, or creating a storybook, these artistic forms of expression can promote emotional regulation, build self-awareness, and foster a sense of accomplishment.
Providing a variety of creative tools and encouraging self-expression without any judgment supports their mental wellness and confidence.
Final Thoughts
One of the most meaningful ways to support an autistic child is to seek a deeper understanding of autism itself. Autism is a lifelong neurodevelopmental condition that exists on a spectrum, meaning that each autistic child’s experience is unique. With the right support, especially when provided early, autistic kids can develop important skills, navigate challenges, and lead rich and fulfilling lives. Following the strategies outlined above can help support an autistic child’s mental wellbeing this May Mental Health Awareness Month and beyond.
“Matt Rokowsky is the CEO at Above and Beyond Therapy in Virginia, which is dedicated to helping children with Autism Spectrum Disorder thrive and reach their fullest potential. In his role, Matt educates others on how to support autistic individuals, challenge stigmas, and understand the unique strengths and challenges they may face. He and his experienced and compassionate team deliver personalized ABA therapy tailored to each child’s unique needs. They believe every child can succeed with the right support and guidance. Using evidence-based practices, Above and Beyond Therapy creates customized treatment plans that focus on communication, social, and academic growth. Through home, school, and center-based services, they work closely with families to ensure meaningful, lasting progress. https://www.abtaba.com/“
