Cooling Down
The hot days of summer have arrived in my part of the world, and most folks are more conscious of the cost and consumption of energy required for air conditioning. Some individuals with autism are rather oblivious to air temperature, but others are sensitive to heat and are uncomfortable at best in the summer. How can we help our friends cool down on hot days?
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+ CHANGE THE SUBJECT. I’ve noticed that adverse circumstances such as extreme temperatures, illness, and other issues, can be magnified if discussed frequently. For example, sometimes people do not realize they are miserably hot unless folks around them keep talking about the temperature. Consider turning off the weather channel so you are not so focused on the outside temperature. If you know that the thermometer has risen above 100 degrees, keeping your comments to yourself, and avoid complaining about the summertime heat throughout the day,
+ COOL BANDANA. Moisten some bandanas, then wring them out and put in a zip lock bag. Keep the bandanas in the refrigerator overnight. As the heat builds up in the afternoon, folks can tie a cool bandana around their neck or put it on top of their head for an instant cooling. One of my young adult friends with autism keeps four or five moist bandanas in his freezer so he can change them out on hot days.
+ LAZY DAYS. Take lawn chairs into the yard, and lounge under a misty sprinkler. Instant cooling!
+ SNOW DAYS. Just for fun, declare a day in middle of summer as a “snow day.” Write the day on the calendar, then plan to explore books, videos, and nature magazines that focus on topics like polar bears, penguins, the Arctic and Antarctic, skiing, ice-fishing, or the winter Olympics. Sing songs like Jingle Bells, Frosty the Snowman, and Let It Snow. Go for a ride to find a snow cone stand so you can chill your tummy.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Weather extremes can certainly make folks miserable, but, in spite of our best efforts., we are NOT able to control the weather. So, the tip for the day is to make the best of a challenging situation by either ignoring the thermometer or by celebrating the extreme temperatures.
NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com
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