It can be difficult to deal with the various behavior problems that come along with parenting a child with autism. However, it is important to stay patient and keep trying different methods until you find one that works best for your family. Here are some solutions to the most common bad habits that could be holding you back every day.
Learn to recognize the root of the problem
Your child may be acting out for any number of reasons, some more obvious than others. Try to figure out what’s causing your child to act this way. Try to come up with a better solution by reading helpful Autism magazines online and talking to others. For example, if your child is throwing temper tantrums all the time, it may be because you’re not giving them enough attention. On the other hand, if your child is throwing objects around the house and damaging things that they know they shouldn’t touch, then they may be trying to get a reaction out of you or even just release some anger.
Know that consistency is the key to success
If you don’t know your plan, then you won’t be able to follow through once the situation arises. That’s why it’s important to make a plan for how you will deal with each specific behavior problem. Just changing your reaction to your child’s actions will show them that you’re in control and can be trusted. For example, if you tell your child they can’t have a snack before dinner, then your child should understand that they can’t have one. If you are not consistent with rules like this, then it will be much harder for your child to learn what’s appropriate behavior in certain circumstances.
Reward good behaviour when your child meets the goals you have set
When your child behaves well, let them know that they’ve done a good job and give them a reward. This will encourage your child to behave even better in the future. If you are consistent with this, it can lead to great improvements if negative behaviors are being caused by not getting enough attention or if your child is bored out of their mind. For example, a sticker chart can be a fun way for younger children to learn how to behave appropriately in different situations. As your child gets older, the rewards can change to more age-appropriate items like an extra half hour of TV time or a special dessert.
Teaching social skills is also very important
It can be very frustrating for children to not understand why certain situations are so difficult. For example, if your child is having a hard time sitting still during church, then it may help to explain to them why this is important. Also, try giving them something they can hold on to or play with to keep them a little more occupied. Your child can learn how to behave in different situations and how people are expected to act around each other. If your child acts inappropriately, then take them aside and explain what they should have done instead. If possible, you can even roleplay situations with your child to show them how they’re expected to act in real life.
Children with autism are very literal, so be careful of what you say
If you tell your child not to do something, then they have no reason to believe that there are exceptions or other forms of gray area when it comes to this rule. If you want them to stop doing something, then be sure that you will never ever allow it again for any reason. Be aware of the way that certain words affect children with autism differently than neurotypical children. It may seem harmless at first, but telling your child that they are “bad” or saying things like “what’s wrong with you?” can create a lot of problems down the line. They may not be able to understand that they are being punished for their behavior until it is already too late, and your child may end up resenting you if they feel like you think there’s something wrong with them.
Try to teach your child problem-solving skills whenever possible
This will make it easier for them to figure out how to behave in certain situations even when you cannot be there to directly instruct them yourself. For example, if your child does not like wearing shoes, then don’t just force them into shoes every time you go outside. Instead, let them know that their feet might get cold outside, and let them play in the backyard without shoes so they can see for themselves that this is true.
Give your child enough space to calm down when necessary
If your child is having a temper tantrum, let them know that you will not give them any attention while they are acting out. If possible, take them to a room where they will not bother anyone else and let them calm down for a few minutes. It is also helpful if you can figure out what is causing your child to have a hard time behaving. For example, some children may be more likely to have tantrums when they are hungry or tired, so be sure to feed them a meal or give them a snack and a nap if they seem to like it.
Parenting a child with autism can be difficult, but there are many different ways to approach the problem. You may need to try a variety of methods before finding one that works best for your family, but it is important to stay patient and keep trying. Teaching social skills is also very important, as is taking care of what you say to your child. If possible, roleplay situations with your child to show them how they’re expected to act in real life. Children with autism are very literal, so take care of what you say and make sure that you will never ever allow negative behaviors again for any reason.
