As a parent of a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), you understand the complexities and emotional challenges of occasionally managing your child’s problematic behaviors. It’s essential to seek knowledge from reliable sources to understand these challenging behaviors in autism and their underlying purposes.
Behavior therapists emphasize that challenging behaviors exhibited at a young age in individuals with autism often persist into adulthood unless quickly addressed through appropriate interventions. Without intervention, these behaviors can worsen and continue throughout life, impacting an individual’s ability to socialize, learn, and adapt to new situations.
Discovering effective strategies to manage your child’s challenging behaviors isn’t just beneficial; it can be crucial for their safety and overall well-being. Positive behavior management opens doors to better opportunities and fosters emotional stability, which is pivotal in shaping a functional life.
At ABA Centers of Washington, our ABA therapy services work to reduce these challenging behaviors and teach positive skills, coping strategies, and emotional regulation techniques. Still, parents can benefit from lending a helping hand outside of therapy sessions. This blog will delve into five valuable parenting tips for managing complex autism behaviors and explore therapy options to support children facing behavioral challenges.
What Are Challenging Behaviors in Autism?
Challenging behaviors often arise in individuals with ASD for various reasons. Understanding these behaviors is essential for effective management and support. Here are some common problematic behaviors seen in autism:
- Repetitive Behaviors – Many children with autism engage in repetitive behaviors to cope with their surroundings. These behaviors may include rocking, dropping objects, jumping, spinning, or hand and arm flapping. These actions can be soothing for these children and help them regulate their emotions, especially in overwhelming situations.
- Self-Stimulatory Actions (Stimming) – Stimming is a form of repetitive behavior characterized by humming, making noises, singing, or repeating words or phrases. While stimming can be a self-soothing mechanism for individuals with autism, it’s crucial to understand when and how to manage it effectively.
- Inappropriate Social Interactions – Children with autism may face challenges in social interaction and peer engagement. They might struggle with establishing eye contact, respecting personal space, or engaging in topics that don’t align with their specific interests. These difficulties can make them appear disinterested or socially awkward to those who may not fully understand their condition.
- Elopement – Elopement, also known as running away, is a behavior of serious concern observed in individuals on the autism spectrum. This challenging behavior can present significant difficulties for parents and caregivers and is hazardous for the individuals involved, especially when they are young. Elopement may manifest for various reasons, including a desire for exploration, difficulty understanding the concept of danger, sensory overload, and general frustration.
What Are Autism Meltdowns?
According to the National Library of Medicine, people with ASD experience different brain activity patterns that autism professionals believe are responsible for heightened awareness of senses and stimuli. Individuals may be hyper or hypo-sensitive to stimuli such as loud noises, bright lights, textures, and visuals. Becoming overwhelmed by this sensory information leads many individuals to become prone to meltdowns and shutdowns to cope.
Meltdowns are relatively common among children with autism and can spawn from various factors, including changes in routine, sensory overload, or frustration. These episodes often involve crying, screaming, and, in some cases, aggressive or self-injurious behavior. Managing meltdowns requires patience and a deep understanding of the triggers. It’s also essential to understand that meltdowns differ from standard tantrums experienced by children with and without ASD.
5 Tips to Manage Challenging Behaviors in Autism
ABA Centers of Washington finds these tips particularly helpful for parents and caregivers trying to manage challenging behaviors in autism:
1. Understand the Situation – Identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviors in neurodivergent children, especially those with autism, is an essential aspect of parenting. Autism presents unique complexities, and deciphering the motivations behind a child’s actions can be daunting.
Parents should never forget that when their child on the spectrum engages in challenging behaviors like aggression or self-injury, it’s not out of defiance or a desire to be disobedient. Instead, it’s often an expression of their frustration or an attempt to communicate their needs. With patience, a positive approach, and unwavering dedication, it is possible to help children with autism better manage their daily challenges and find more effective ways to express themselves.
2. Utilize Visual Support to Teach Expectations – An effective strategy in addressing and managing autism behaviors involves using visual aids to assist your child in comprehending expectations and upcoming events. A practical example of this is the implementation of a picture schedule, illustrating the day’s activities to your child. This visual support aids in reducing challenging autism behaviors by granting your child a sense of control and predictability over their daily routine.
Visual supports can be instrumental in teaching new skills or routines. Flashcards, for instance, can visually guide your child through the steps of a desired task. With a touch of creativity and resourcefulness, visual aids become invaluable tools for parents navigating the unique challenges of raising a child with autism.
3. Establish and Maintain Firm Boundaries – One of the most effective strategies for mitigating challenging behaviors in children with autism is the establishment of clear and consistent rules and boundaries. While this might seem obvious, prioritizing structure and consistency is paramount when parenting a child on the spectrum.
For instance, consider the scenario where an ABA professional works to teach a child the skill of sitting appropriately during circle time. They may structure two-minute intervals for proper sitting, gradually increasing the duration as the child progresses. When the child successfully demonstrates the desired behavior, they earn a few minutes of free play with their preferred toy. This process sets the expectation that positive outcomes result from following the rules and engaging in appropriate behavior.
When children with autism understand what to expect and the consequences for not meeting these expectations, they are more inclined to exhibit more appropriate behavior. Admittedly, maintaining such consistency can be challenging for parents and caregivers. However, the effort is well worth it, as it can significantly impact the child’s behavior and build trust.
4. Reinforce Positive Behavior with Rewards –In managing autism behaviors, it’s essential to acknowledge and reinforce positive actions promptly; this can be through praise or rewards, encouraging the child to continue exhibiting desirable behaviors. Immediate recognition or rewards are crucial. They let the child know their behavior is being acknowledged and positively reinforced.
Consistency in reinforcing good behavior is equally important. When a child can predict that they will consistently receive a reward for their positive actions, they are more likely to be motivated to behave appropriately in the future. Parents should also tailor the prizes to the child’s interests and preferences, as these can vary significantly in children with autism. Finding meaningful and motivating reinforcers that resonate with the child is vital to a successful reinforcement system.
5. Stay Calm and Reduce Stress Levels – Parenting a child with autism can present unique stressors. Maintaining a sense of calm and consistency in your approach is essential. By staying calm and responding consistently, you can provide your child with a feeling of safety and security, offering them much-needed stability.
Additionally, autism can bring stress to both children and parents. To create a more peaceful environment, consider making your home a calm and sensory-friendly space by reducing loud noises and bright lights that can overwhelm children with autism. Patience and effective support strategies are paramount when interacting with your child.
Frequent breaks can help you recharge and better support your child, as they often require extra time and understanding to navigate the world. Parents and caregivers can also benefit from therapy individually or in groups. These can teach helpful coping strategies to manage stress and prevent caregiver burnout.
Managing Challenging Behaviors at ABA Centers of Washington
Dealing with challenging autism behaviors often involves trying various strategies to determine what works best for your child. Parents and caregivers should approach this process patiently and flexibly, understanding that finding the most effective approach may require trial and error. While it may take time and persistence to identify the right strategies, the effort is well worth it in helping your child thrive.
If you find it challenging to manage your child’s autism behaviors, ABA Centers of Washington offers comprehensive ABA therapy for your loved one. Our expertise in understanding autism behaviors and teaching alternative solutions tailored to your child’s strengths and abilities can make a significant difference.
Remember, you’re not alone on this journey as an autism parent. You can manage your child’s behavior effectively with the proper support and resources. For a complimentary consultation on ABA therapy, call (877) 554-0710 or complete our online contact form today.
