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How do we deal with challenging behaviors in autism?
Imagine a child throwing a tantrum because they didn’t get their favorite ice cream; this might seem normal to a certain age, right? Now, picture your child on the spectrum suddenly screaming for no evident reason or even banging their head against the wall without any apparent cause. These are examples of challenging behaviors in autism that everyone should understand and address to ensure the well-being of children on the spectrum.
Challenging behaviors are one of the various characteristics of Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). They can vary in severity, frequency, cause, and impact on the individual. Often, we might think these behaviors are just part of a child’s unique personality or assume the child is simply misbehaving. However, these unexpected outbursts usually stem from discomfort or frustration that the child doesn’t know how to express or manage.
If you believe that a child’s constant screaming is just a normal part of having autism, you might need to read further. At ABA Centers of Tennessee, we aim to help parents, caregivers, and society at large understand what it’s like to navigate life with autism, the challenges it presents, and how we can make life more accommodating for those on the spectrum. So, keep reading and gain helpful insights about understanding and managing challenging behaviors in autism.
Maladaptive Behaviors in Autism
Most parents are familiar with tantrums. They usually happen when a child is frustrated or doesn’t get what they want, and they’re a normal part of development. These outbursts are generally short-lived and lessen as children grow older and learn to express their emotions better.
In contrast, challenging behaviors in autism can be more complex. These behaviors might include actions like screaming, hitting, head-banging, or repetitive movements. Unlike typical tantrums, these behaviors can occur without an apparent reason and can be more intense and prolonged. They often stem from difficulties with sensory processing, communication challenges, or an inability to manage emotions and stress.
Sensory processing issues, such as hypersensitivity to sounds or textures, can lead to overwhelming feelings, causing a child to react aggressively or retreat into repetitive behaviors. Communication difficulties when kids with ASD are not able to express needs or understand others can result in frustration and subsequent outbursts. Furthermore, emotional regulation problems mean that even minor stressors can provoke significant reactions.
According to the Autism Research Institute, more than 59% of individuals with ASD engage in some maladaptive behavior. Moreover, the impact of these behaviors is significant. They can hinder a child’s ability to learn new skills, participate in daily activities, and interact with others. For instance, a child who frequently engages in self-injury might struggle to focus on school or during therapy sessions, making it harder for them to acquire new knowledge and skills. Additionally, self-injurious behaviors can lead to physical harm, posing further health risks.
Examples of Common Challenging Behaviors
Challenging behaviors in individuals with autism can vary widely in form and severity, but some of the most common include:
Self-injury: This can include behaviors like head-banging, biting, scratching, or any other form of self-harm.
Aggression: Physical aggression towards others, including hitting, kicking, or biting, can be a way for the individual to express frustration or unmet needs.
Meltdowns: Intense and prolonged outbursts that can include screaming, crying, and physical aggression. These meltdowns can occur due to sensory overload, frustration, or an inability to communicate effectively.
Repetitive Behaviors: Engaging in the same action repeatedly, such as rocking back and forth, flapping hands, or repeating certain words or phrases. These behaviors can be self-soothing but can also interfere with daily activities.
Elopement: Running away or wandering off without notice which can be dangerous, especially if the individual is not aware of their surroundings or potential hazards.
Non-compliance: Refusal to follow directions or participate in activities, which can stem from a lack of understanding, sensory sensitivities, or communication difficulties.
Supporting Your Child with Challenging Behaviors
Dealing with challenging behaviors can be overwhelming, but there are effective strategies that can help manage and reduce these behaviors. Here are some steps you can take:
1. Identify Triggers: Pay attention to what happens before the challenging behavior occurs. Knowing your child’s specific discomforts can help you identify patterns. Common triggers can include sensory overload, such as too much noise or bright lights, being in a crowded place, or encountering a texture they dislike.
2. Create a Structured Environment: Children with autism often thrive in structured environments with clear routines. Consistency helps them know what to expect, which can reduce anxiety and challenging behaviors.
3. Use Visual Supports: Visual schedules, social stories, and picture cards can help children understand expectations and transitions, making them feel more secure and less likely to engage in challenging behaviors.
4. Teach Communication Skills: Many challenging behaviors stem from an inability to communicate needs and feelings. Teaching alternative communication methods or using a communication device, can significantly reduce frustration.
A study by Behavior Communication suggests that therapists or even parents can reduce challenging behaviors by teaching new communication skills that replace each specific problem behavior.
5. Implement Positive Reinforcement: Reinforcing positive behaviors with praise, rewards, or other incentives can encourage children to repeat those behaviors. Focus on what you want your child to do rather than what you want them to stop doing.
6. Provide Sensory Breaks: Sensory sensitivities are common in children with autism. Providing regular sensory breaks with activities that help your child self-regulate, such as swinging, using a weighted blanket, or playing with sensory toys, can be beneficial.
7. Develop Coping Strategies: Teaching your child coping mechanisms for managing stress and anxiety can be incredibly helpful. Techniques such as deep breathing, using a calm-down corner, or engaging in a favorite activity can help them better manage their emotions.
8. Seek Professional Support: Sometimes, professional intervention is necessary. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy can provide targeted strategies to address challenging behaviors and improve your child’s overall functioning.
ABA Therapy Promote Positive Skills
The core principle of ABA therapy is the environment can influence that behavior, and by altering the environment and providing positive reinforcement, therapists can encourage the development of new, beneficial skills.
During ABA therapy sessions, therapists work closely with the child to identify specific goals based on their individual needs. These goals can range from improving communication skills and social interactions to reducing self-injurious behaviors or increasing independence in daily activities.
Therapists use a variety of techniques to achieve these goals:
Positive Reinforcement: This technique is one of the most potent tools in ABA therapy. When a child exhibits a desired behavior, they receive a reward, such as praise, a favorite toy, or a small treat.
Task Analysis: Therapists break down challenging behaviors into smaller, manageable steps, teaching each step individually. For example, if the goal is to reduce aggressive behaviors like hitting, the therapist might first work on teaching the child to recognize when they are becoming frustrated. Next, the child might learn to use a communication tool, like a picture card, to express their feelings. Finally, the therapist would guide the child in choosing an alternative and appropriate behavior, such as asking for a break or using a calming strategy.
Prompting and Fading: To help the child learn new skills, therapists may use prompts, such as verbal instructions or physical guidance. Over time, the therapist reduces these prompts or “fades” so that the child can perform the behavior independently.
Generalization: ABA therapy emphasizes the importance of generalizing skills across different settings and situations. Therapists ensure that clients incorporate the positive behaviors learned in therapy sessions into the home, school, and community environments by working with the child.
ABA Centers of Tennessee: Premier Autism Support
At ABA Centers of Tennessee, we support families navigating the complexities of autism. With a strong presence in Brentwood, Hendersonville, Nashville, and Madison, our experienced team offers not only diagnostic services but also robust ABA therapy programs tailored to meet the unique needs of each child and adolescent on the spectrum.
Our approach to therapy is rooted in respect for the individual capabilities and goals of every child we work with. Our role is to support that process with evidence-based strategies that address the challenges of autism while celebrating each child’s strengths and individuality.
Whether you are seeking a diagnosis, looking for effective therapy options, or need guidance and support, our team is here to help you navigate this path with confidence and care. Call us at (844) 423-9483 or schedule a free consultation to explore your insurance options and benefits.
