278. When Plans Change: Helping Your Autistic Children Handle Disappointment

278. When Plans Change: Helping Your Autistic Children Handle Disappointment

A canceled outing. A favorite food that isn’t available. A friend who can’t come over. You see another option—but your child is still focused on the plan that disappeared.

In this episode, Shannon shares practical ways to help your autistic children handle everyday disappointments while taking their feelings seriously. You’ll hear examples from life with Jordan, phrases you can use when plans change, and ways to support coping and problem-solving when your child is ready.

We’ll talk about:
• Acknowledging disappointment without changing a necessary answer
• Giving your child time before offering alternatives
• Supporting communication, including for nonspeaking children
• Preparing for changes without promising outcomes you can’t control
• Recognizing progress—even when there are still tears

You can’t always fix what disappointed your child. But you can help them through it. And your child can still be disappointed while learning how to cope.

Related episodes:
Episode 89 — Calming Down Big Emotions
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/o592Wn5u16b

Episode 53 — Understanding Rigid Behaviors in Autism
https://spotifycreators-web.app.link/e/b3Zxkx7u16b

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