If you are a parent or caregiver of a child with ASD, then you know full well that People with Asperger’s/autism spectrum may have severe episodes of anxiety, anger, despair, depression, or similar negative mental states. This is compounded by the fact that often (but not always) the state of mind is an emotional reaction to feedback from the outside world. There is a tool that will help you empower your child and provide instant relief from the grip of these emotional states. It’s called EFT.

Like most parents, you probably want to help your child with ASD learn to be independent. You want your child to go on and lead a fulfilling life. In this case, you need to teach your child coping strategies that he or she can carry into adulthood to deal with negative states of mind (and the situations that cause them) as they arise.

These extreme and dark states of mind are destructive! If they are repeated frequently, they are reinforced with each episode and will eventually become a limiting, negative belief that will erode your child’s self-esteem. The limiting belief will be anchored to your child and will accompany him throughout his life.

Furthermore, if perpetuated for any significant period of time, these mental states can actually change the chemistry in the brain, which can lead to clinical depression and other chemical-based mental health problems.

Good news: There is an extremely simple tool that you can start using right away to give your child instant relief from the distress caused by these difficult states of mind. Better news: there is absolutely no cost to you for learning it. It’s called EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique).

About EFT:

• EFT works on the same pressure points discovered millennia ago in the ancient east and widely used today in therapies such as acupuncture.
• EFT involves gently touching these pressure points with your fingertips. It couldn’t be easier, safer, more accessible, or more risk-free than this.
• EFT is based on the premise that emotional trauma occurs in our bodies, not just in our minds. This is certainly true since all emotions are chemical reactions governed by the brain. These chemicals (peptides) are secreted in the body and attach to our cells and can remain there if the emotion is not processed properly. In other words, your body “remembers” the trauma and holds on to it on a physiological and biochemical level. EFT helps your body release the “memory”.
• Gary Craig, the founder of EFT, is a Stanford graduate. EFT may sound “woo-woo,” but its creation is based on scientific thinking.
• Gary Craig has always offered the EFT basics and teachings free of charge. His intention is to help humanity. This is not a hack or get rich quick scheme.

Why try EFT with your child:

• Because it works! I taught my Aspie (now 20) this technique in her teens and she still uses it today. EFT has helped my children (and me) with everything from deep sadness and depression to hiccups.
• Because it will make your child laugh with you and distract him from the trauma. Even if you don’t think EFT really works scientifically, try it for fun! He tickles a bit and feels silly.
• Because it’s a technique that your child can learn and carry into adulthood. This is a gem of a technique that deserves a central place in the repertoire of coping skills your child will need to develop to their full potential.
• Because it will empower your child knowing that you can gain some control over a thought process that feels like it’s hijacking your emotions.
• Because it can help you too! Let’s face it, it’s devastating for us too when we see our children suffer. Do EFT together with your child. make a game of it
• Why is there even an “emergency” version of EFT? for difficult behavior and meltdowns.

Learn this wonderful and easy technique for free or simply read more about EFT by visiting the website http://www.eftuniverse.com/. Click on the link and then choose “About EFT” or “Learn EFT” from the menu on the left of the website home page.

For the record, I do not use EFT to try to “cure” my children of their Asperger’s/autism spectrum disorders. I don’t want to “cure” them, I believe autism should be celebrated, not cured. However, I am all for “treating” the difficult aspects of autism to make life easier for the person with ASD and their loved ones.