In the aftermath of the tragedy and with all of the discussions revolving around mental health, I remembered reading this journal article written by Tony Attwood. The article included Dr. Attwood's strategy for managing anger specifically for the Autism Spectrum population. By utilizing Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Dr. Attwood is able to assist those on the spectrum to become, "more consciously aware of one’s emotional state, knowing how to respond to the emotion, and becoming more sensitive to how others are feeling." He writes about the "Emotional Toolbox". The tools include physical, relaxation, social, thinking, special interest, and inappropriate. I have included some excerpts from the article and a link for future reference. http://www.cmcgc.com/Media/HANDOUTS/081022/260.pdf
"The Emotional Toolbox: Strategies for Managing Anger,
Anxiety and Sadness" by Tony Attwood Ph.D.
An Emotional Toolbox
From an early age, children will know a toolbox contains a variety of different tools to repair
a machine or fix a household problem. The concept of an Emotional Toolbox, has proved an
extremely successful strategy in the treatment of anxiety and anger in children with
Asperger’s syndrome (Sofronoff et al 2005; Sofronoff et al. 2007). The idea is to identify
different types of ‘tools’ to fix the problems associated with negative emotions, especially
anxiety, anger and sadness. The range of tools can be divided into those that quickly and
constructively release or slowly reduce emotional energy, and those that improve thinking.
The cognitive behaviour therapist works with the child or adult with Asperger’s syndrome,
and the family, to identify different tools that help fix the feeling, as well as some tools that
can make the emotions or consequences worse. Together they use paper and pens during a
brainstorming session in which they draw a toolbox, and depict and write descriptions of
different types of tools and activities that can encourage constructive emotion repair.
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