Introduction to Emotions – Inclusive Education

Introduction

All of us experience a range of emotions as we deal with the different activities in life. We are able to recognise, understand and manage our emotions and eventually move on. However, this may not come as easily for children on the spectrum. They may require support in identifying, labelling, expressing, and regulating emotions. As a result, your child may face challenges in social interactions and relationships.

Children with autism can be taught to recognise, understand, display and manage their emotions appropriately with the help of tools and techniques like structured activities, visual cards, the emotion ladder etc.

What are Emotions?

Emotions are reactions that occur in response to various situations. There are 4 major emotions – Sad, Happy, Fear and Anger. Elements of these can also blend to form more complex emotions such as jealously, guilt, pride and love.

Each emotion consists of three elements:

Subjective Experience – How we perceive an event
E.g. If we win a competition, we might be happy but competitors might be sad, angry, jealous or happy for us.

Physiological Response – How our body reacts
E.g. When we are afraid, out heart might beat faster and our palms may become sweaty.

Behavioural Response – How we express it through our face, body language and actions
E.g. When angry, we may grind our teeth or shout.

The identification and labelling of an emotion is a pre-requisite for expressing it appropriately.

How Do Children with Autism Feel, Process and Express Emotions?

Your child with autism feels the entire range of emotions that you do. However, they may react to them in inappropriate ways such as:
– They may react very strongly even when it is not called for e.g. may throw a tantrum, self-harm or harm others when they accidentally spill a glass of water.
– They may react very lightly to a situation e.g. they may not even flinch (or may even laugh) when someone has a severe fall and is in pain.
This is because they are unable to identify, label, appropriately express and regulate emotions.
Moreover, they may not understand other people’s emotions through cues such as facial expressions, body language or the tone of the voice.
To assist your child, start by teaching one emotion at a time using the resources provided.

Introduction

What are Emotions?

Understand Emotions-Happy

Happy Video

Emotions Scrapbook-Happy