Common coping strategies, such as hand flapping or leg shaking, can be misperceived as being willful, noncompliant, and uncooperative; and some techniques commonly recommended during times of distress or crisis, such as maintaining eye contact or using light touch, can be counter-productive rather than providing relief.

Using the easy-to-remember acronym S.C.A.R.E.D, coined by clinical psychologist Will Richards, this guide offers strategies and practical techniques that will be a valuable reference tool to anyone in a first response position. The authors have created a training programme to explain the autistic experience and mindset, and guide the interventions of first responders to autistic individuals in crisis.

Foreword. Introduction. Frequently Asked Questions. Safe. Calm. Affirmation. Routine. Empathy. Develop a Plan.

"Offers an empathetic, brilliantly simple approach to managing the meltdowns common to autistic individuals. The acronym SCARED becomes both the framework for outlining important strategies and for implanting the key reason why these meltdowns occur. Written by eminent psychologist/autism specialist Will Richards and high functioning autistic Deb Lipsky, the latter adding important insights and lending significant credibility to the method. Should be read by anyone dealing with autistic individuals." -Curious