Does Weather Affect Autistic Behaviors?
October 11, 2017 Speech & OT of North Texas

Does Weather Affect Autistic Behaviors?

Posted in Autism

[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text]Have you noticed that there are times where the weather gets bad outside, and you notice an increase in problematic autistic behaviors in your child? This is not just your imagination. There are many reasons for this. Researchers have long-known that a correlation exists between increased autistic behavior and low pressure systems which usually result in rain. If this is when you notice the different behaviors in your child, then you may literally be able to blame the weather.

Does Weather Affect Autistic Behaviors?What the Weather Has to Do with Behavior

There are two direct ways that poor weather that can impact your child’s behavior. First, when your child is not able to go outside due to poor weather, they often feel stuck. They want to get out, get that fresh air, and go about their normal routines. When those routines are not able to be kept up with, they tend to act out. It is not that they do not like being near you, or that they do not like the alternative activities you have set up for them. It is simply that they want to have their normal routine in place because that gives them comfort.

Second, when low pressure builds up, it means that everything around you is likely cloudy, and often rainy. Research has found that this results in an increase for many, in how impulsive they get. This includes your autistic child. Instead of feeling as though they have control, they tend to become more impulsive. This means they may be more in your face, or may exhibit more noise-making or destructive behavior. It can also lead to an increase in aches and pains in the body, and a decrease in the overall optimism that your child has.

If You Want Help Controlling These Behaviors, Know Where to Turn

If you need a bit of help when these behaviors pop up, know that there is help out there. At Speech & Occupational Therapy of North Texas, you have backup and options. There are occupational therapy options that help those with autism spectrum disorders better learn to control their impulses and some of their poor behaviors, and channel those impulses into more positive activities. Reach out to them today if you want help getting your autistic child into a new program that will help them no matter what the weather is like outside. It could be the solution you and your child have been searching for.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]