Q: These strategies could include calling a friend, taking a walk, engaging in a hobby or doing another activity that requires intense concentration.
A: Include at least 3 different vegetables in meals. Experiment with sneaking vegetables into at least 1 dish. Exercise for at least 30 minutes each day or make sure you get in your 10,000 steps. Write down nonfood strategies for handling stress.

Q: Heavy-duty plastic sheeting helps to minimize how much dust gets dispersed through the air. Cover all the openings throughout your home, such as doorways and windows, with it. For best results, hang the sheeting from floor to ceiling. Cover all of the air vents and ductwork. Secure the plastic sheeting with masking tape. Move as much furniture out of the way as you can. Cover what can't be moved with plastic sheeting, especially upholstered furniture, since the dust can work itself into the fabric. Secure the sheeting in place with bungee cords. Place plastic sheeting over the entire floor of your work area. If you have carpet in the rest of the house, consider covering the floors in every room with self-adhesive plastic lining. Leaving the system on will result in drywall dust getting into it, which will then spread throughout your home. Even though you're covering all of the air ducts with plastic sheeting before you begin, it is still beneficial to turn off the circulation system. Be sure to leave the circulation system off until you've completed your task and cleaned up the dust afterward. Check your system's air filter frequently in the weeks following the sanding. You will probably need to replace it soon after. Using box fans will help keep the room you are working in ventilated. Open the windows and place the box fans in them. Be sure to position the box fans so that air blows out of the room, not into it. Use plastic sheeting to seal off the area around the fans and window frames. Duct tape the plastic in place. If any of the windows have air conditioning units in them, remove them from the room. They get clogged with dust easily. Use the box fans on a low setting, which will cause the least air disturbance. Setting them on high will suck out a lot of the dust, but it will also increase the amount that's moving through the air. This will allow the dust to move freely from inside to outside. It also improves the air circulation in the area. Not removing the screens will trap a lot of the dust in the room. You'll also have to remove drywall dust from the screens after you've finished sanding.
A: Block off all vents and openings with plastic sheeting. Cover the floor and protect the furniture. Turn off the central heat and air circulation. Place box fans in the windows. Remove the door and window screens.

Q: If they can communicate the thing that is bothering them, they are less likely to build up stress or resort to bad behavior. Your child needs to know how to say or communicate the following: "I'm hungry." "I'm tired." "I need a break, please." "That hurts." Many autistic children have trouble understanding their feelings, and it may be helpful for them to point to pictures or learn the physical symptoms that accompany feelings. Explain that telling people how they feel (such as "The grocery store makes me scared") allows people to help fix problems (such as "You can wait outside with your big sister while I finish shopping"). Make it clear that if they communicate, you will listen to them. This eliminates the need for a tantrum. The meltdown-prone child will need a calm, stable parental figure as well as consistency from all those involved with their care. You will not be able to address your child's self-control until you have control of yourself first. This is called "presuming competence" and it greatly improves autistic people's social skills. Autistic people are much more likely to open up if they feel that they will be respected. If an autistic child is not ready for speech, there are other ways to have him communicate with you. Try sign language, typing, picture exchange systems, or whatever a therapist recommends.
A: Help your child express basic needs. Teach your child to try to identify their own emotions. Remain calm and consistent. Assume that your child wants to behave well. Explore alternative communication.

Q: Water is a much healthier alternative to processed drinks. In addition to helping keep your tooth enamel protected (as it is non-acidic and keeps your mouth in an alkaline state), it is great for hydration, clear skin, digestion, and delivers a host of other health benefits. Avoid brushing your teeth for one hour after consuming acidic food or drink. While this may seem counter-intuitive, acidic foods and drinks soften the tooth enamel and leave it prone to damage from brushing. After an hour, saliva will restore lost minerals and re-harden enamel. Too much brushing or brushing too hard or incorrectly is abrasive and wears down your teeth. Plaque is relatively soft and could be removed with a cloth if you could reach every crack and crevice with one. Be gentle on your teeth. Use proper tooth brushing technique. At a 45-degree angle, brush up and down in short strokes. Rely on dental floss and toothpicks in between morning and evening brushing. Be sure to throw your toothbrush away once it starts to show wear; the tips become jagged and can harm tooth enamel and gums. Alternate your electric toothbrush with a manual one as the electric ones tend to scrub the surface harder due to an increased number of movements. To reduce the acidity in your mouth, regularly rinse thoroughly and gargle with a spoonful of baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) in water. Reduce the contact of juice and soda drinks with your teeth by drinking through a straw. This is only a minor improvement so don't rely on it as a major solution. Sometimes, however, something is better than nothing.
A:
Drink water in small amounts at regular intervals. Time your brushing effectively. Stop over-brushing your teeth. Rinse your mouth with baking soda. Use a straw.