Emotions are our friends,there is nothing wrong with feeling them. The goal is learning how to recognize them and respond in ways that support well-being.
Emotional overload is common, but for autistic individuals, it can happen more often and with greater intensity. It happens when the demands of a situation exceed a person’s ability to cope.
Angela Scarpa, director of Virginia Tech’s Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research, explains why overload happens, how it presents across different ages, and strategies to recognize and manage it.
In children, whether autistic or not, emotional overload may appear as freezing, crying, hiding, or tantrums.
It is not about behavior being bad, it is about being overwhelmed and not knowing how to cope with intense feelings.Angela Scarpa, Director, Virginia Tech’s Autism Clinic & Center for Autism Research
Some autistic individuals may show repetitive behaviors, such as rocking or repeating words, while others may experience distress internally in ways that are not outwardly visible.
Because autism exists on a spectrum, not all autistic individuals experience emotional overload in the same way. For example, “some people experience emotional arousal but have difficulty identifying or describing what they are feeling,” Scarpa said.
Challenges with communication, social cues, and heightened sensory input can intensify emotions in everyday situations, making them harder to regulate.
For autistic teens and adults, repeated overload can lead to burnout
Biological factors may also contribute. Research suggests autistic individuals have higher, less variable heart rates, indicating a more reactive nervous system.
The nervous system is not broken, but it does tell us something about a person’s internal state.
She explained that warning signs of overload may include a pounding heart, rapid breathing, muscle tension, agitation, or increased repetitive behaviors. Internal distress, such as racing thoughts or anxiety, may also be present.
To manage, Scarpa points to a set of strategies she calls PRISM: physical, relaxation, interest, social, and mental tools.These tools highlight different ways individuals can regulate emotions, from movement and breathing techniques to engaging in meaningful activities and seeking support from others. It can be adapted for both children and adults, depending on individual needs and abilities.
(Newswise/VNJ)
