Here are some tips on using a progressive muscle relaxation with children and adolescents on the spectrum.
https://www.midwayisd.org/cms/lib/TX01000662/Centricity/Domain/16/Progressive%20Muscle%20Relaxation%20Handout.pdf
I particularly like the focus on learning the difference between tense and relaxed muscles. When we teach people to recognize when they are getting tense, it can help them reduce episodes of aggression or problem behavior. When they recognize that they are tense, they can take some action to calm down before their behavior "explodes." A technique that goes along well with this is The Incredible 5-Point Scale. With this technique, you can divide a behavior into different levels (such as a "5" being a meltdown, a "3" being tense, and a "1" being relaxed). The 5-point scale chart also lists strategies the student can use to calm down or remain calm at each level. The first step to using a 5-point scale is the self-awareness to know how you are feeling, so the progressive muscle relaxation techniques may be a helpful starting point for this intervention.
https://www.midwayisd.org/cms/lib/TX01000662/Centricity/Domain/16/Progressive%20Muscle%20Relaxation%20Handout.pdf
I particularly like the focus on learning the difference between tense and relaxed muscles. When we teach people to recognize when they are getting tense, it can help them reduce episodes of aggression or problem behavior. When they recognize that they are tense, they can take some action to calm down before their behavior "explodes." A technique that goes along well with this is The Incredible 5-Point Scale. With this technique, you can divide a behavior into different levels (such as a "5" being a meltdown, a "3" being tense, and a "1" being relaxed). The 5-point scale chart also lists strategies the student can use to calm down or remain calm at each level. The first step to using a 5-point scale is the self-awareness to know how you are feeling, so the progressive muscle relaxation techniques may be a helpful starting point for this intervention.
I also like how the progressive muscle relaxation handout characterized stress as "the feeling of being out of control." I think that people with autism can relate to this, because the world does often feel like it is chaotic or out of control. I believe that giving them tools to deal with this feeling is very helpful.