In the United States, 1 in 36 children is diagnosed with autism. This means that you or someone you love will likely be impacted by autism. For caregivers and family members, one of the most challenging aspects of caring for someone with autism is knowing how to manage aggression. Understanding the underlying causes, implementing specific strategies, and providing a supportive environment can help.
Understanding How to Manage Aggression for Your Child with Autism
1. Understand the Causes and Triggers
Take note of each time this behavior occurs to identify any patterns or triggers such as sensory overload, changes in routine, or communication difficulties. Caregivers or parents may observe these influences in situations when severe behavior is triggered.
Sometimes, aggressive behavior in children with autism can be due to an underlying health condition like cavities or ear infections. For example, if your child is constantly biting or spitting, they may feel pain in their mouth that should be checked out by a doctor. If your child keeps hitting their head against the wall, they may have severe ear pain requiring medical attention.
Here are a few things to keep in mind when trying to isolate the reason for your child’s behavior.
Lack of communication skills.
Children who are nonverbal, who have a speech delay, or who have difficulties using and understanding social language, can become increasingly agitated when they are unable to communicate needs and wants.
Increased expectations.
Sometimes when a child is thriving, people ask them to do more. If a child has too many new expectations at once, they may struggle to understand and live up to those expectations.
Intolerance to waiting.
Some children with autism don’t understand that “wait” means they can have something soon. They may show aggressive behavior when they cannot have a favorite item, or play with a favorite person, immediately.
Routine changes.
Some children with autism struggle with changes in their environment or their routine. Even the smallest changes that do not appear significant to most, may result in aggression in a child with autism. This can be as simple as stopping at the gas station to fill up your tank or grabbing food at the drive-through on Wednesday instead of Thursday. Children on the spectrum have good memories and they can be eager to let you know when something isn’t routine.
Loud noises or too many sounds.
Having to focus on too many people talking or too many events taking place can easily overwhelm a child with autism. Loud noises that are especially triggering may include low-flying airplanes, fireworks, or concerts.
Too many people.
Being surrounded by too many people can lead a child with autism to act out protectively, especially if they struggle with communication and cannot verbally communicate the need for space.
New environments.
A new environment can make any child uneasy, but for a child with autism, it can be very scary. Couple a new environment with a group of new people, and children with autism may react negatively with severe behaviors.
Sensory sensitivity or sensory differences.
Some children on the spectrum may be sensitive to certain stimuli and others may want it in excess. If these stimuli aren’t available, the child may react aggressively to gain or stop the stimulation.
Loss of control.
When a child feels as though they are no longer in control of their body, space, or interactions, they may react aggressively in a way to earn that control back.
Escape.
Children with autism are still children. If a child doesn’t want to be in a certain place, or doesn’t want to do a specific activity, they may become aggressive.
2. Manage the Behavior
Since there are many reasons your child with autism may be exhibiting aggression, there are a number of ways to attempt to manage them as well. Once we understand what the triggering event is, we can work to change the behavior associated with it by teaching new skills. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) for children with autism utilizes a number of strategies that focus on positive and functional behavior replacements.
Here are just a few examples:
Positive reinforcement.
Reinforce positive behaviors with rewards and praise to increase the likelihood that your child will engage in the positive behavior more frequently in the future.
Functional communication.
Teach your child to communicate basic and/or high-frequency needs using verbal communication, sign language, picture exchange systems, or electronic devices.
Consistent routines.
Maintain a consistent routine to provide a sense of stability and predictability and slowly introduce small changes to their routine, providing positive reinforcement when they respond well to the change.
Visual supports.
Use visual schedules and cues to help your child understand what to expect in new environments and reduce their anxiety.
Teach coping skills.
Teaching relaxation techniques such as using a stress ball, and helping them recognize and manage their emotions through the implementation of calming activities can help reduce aggression.
Create a safe environment.
Designate a safe space without sensory triggers such as loud noises or crowded spaces and prompt your child to use the space to calm down when they are feeling overwhelmed.
It is also important to collaborate with other professionals on your child’s treatment team. Medical professionals can help rule out medical triggers or provide medical treatment for any medical causes identified. Working with the school to develop an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) or collaborate on the consistent implementation of behavior strategies such as those outlined above, can help reduce the frequency and severity of aggressive behavior.
Seek Help for Autism Aggression Today
The implementation and effectiveness of strategies can become harder as your child grows into a young adult. If your child is becoming physically aggressive to the point where it has become a danger to you, your family, or themselves, please contact BlueSprig for help. Our behavior technicians work with our clients to give them the best self-management skills, social skills, and independent living skills possible. Let us put our decades of experience to use and start your family on a positive path.