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How Should Caregivers Address Challenging Behaviors in Children and Teenagers with Autism?
Raising a child or teenager with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can present unique obstacles for neurodiverse families, especially when it comes to addressing and managing challenging behaviors. For parents of children on the spectrum, these behaviors may include aggression, self-injury, tantrums, wandering, and more. If left untreated, they can be dangerous or even life-threatening for some, making it crucial to understand and address maladaptive behaviors for better outcomes in life with ASD.
Many families question how they can best support their child or teenager with ASD in managing these behaviors, especially if they are or may become destructive. Ultimately, it’s important to remember that all behavior is a form of communication for individuals with ASD and serves a purpose, even complicated behaviors.
Fortunately, with ABA support, also called applied behavioral analysis, many parents and children who struggle with complex behavior patterns in ASD find replacement behaviors or redirect their children to activities that still feel rewarding. Furthermore, these new or accommodating behaviors aren’t destructive and do not carry long-term consequences like the original behavior.
This blog by ABA Centers of Delaware aims to explain some of the underlying reasons behind challenging behaviors in autism and discuss some practical strategies for managing them. By understanding and appropriately addressing these complex features of autism, parents and caregivers can help their children find a path forward to a more fulfilling, safe, and successful life.
So, keep reading to learn more about transforming obstacles into triumphs by managing challenging behaviors in autism with ABA therapy.
Click here for more information about ABA Centers of Delaware. You can also read our other thoughtful ABA and autism blogs here.
Understanding Maladaptive Behaviors in Autism
Challenging behaviors in autism can be difficult to understand and address. For those who don’t know someone with autism and aren’t familiar with the condition, they can even seem unpredictable, purposeless, or disturbing.
According to Autism Speaks, many people with autism experience difficulties related to communication, social interaction, and behavior. Individuals with ASD can also sometimes have trouble processing sensory information and regulating their emotions or reactions. These difficulties can contribute to the maladaptive behaviors they express, ultimately affecting how they act and, in some cases, how others perceive them.
Identifying Common Challenging Behaviors in Those with Autism
As mentioned earlier, challenging behaviors in autism can take many forms and may vary from person to person. However, common challenging behaviors of individuals with autism often include:
- Aggression: This includes physical aggression towards others, such as hitting, kicking, spitting, or biting. It can also involve damaging property or self-injury.
- Tantrums: Individuals with autism may have difficulty coping or expressing their emotions and may resort to tantrums as communication. Tantrums can include outbursts of crying, screaming, dropping to the floor, or other disruptive behaviors. These tantrums can occur in public places, leading to misunderstandings and even injuries to the person and others.
- Self-injury: This includes any behavior that causes harm to oneself, such as head-banging, scratching, or biting oneself.
- Noncompliance: needing help to follow instructions or respond appropriately to requests or commands.
Why Addressing Maladaptive Behaviors in Autism Is Vital
As of 2023, the CDC reports that 1 in 36 children are on the autism spectrum, and this number is increasing. This means there are more diverse behaviors, a larger autism population, and an urgent need to understand the complexities of life on the spectrum for a better quality of life.
While it’s important to note that problematic behaviors in autism may not always be intentional or purposeful, they are no less vital to manage, as they can be highly damaging to some.
For instance, wandering can lead a child to drowning or getting lost. Noncompliance can lead to misunderstandings with authority, and tantrums can lead to isolation in social circles. These are just a few examples of the impacts these behaviors can have on children and their families.
Worse, if unaddressed, these behaviors can continue or increase. Spitting on a person as a child can seem like a minor threat. However, spitting on another person as a grown woman may be considered a severe assault, violation, or physical hazard.
Furthermore, families should also note that these behaviors are not limited to individuals with ASD and may be features of other issues, making autism screening critical as well.
ABA Therapy and Maladaptive Behaviors
ABA therapy is a science-based approach to understanding and modifying behaviors in those with autism. Research shows that ABA is particularly beneficial in early development and can significantly improve adulthood for children who receive it.
ABA providers, such as Board Certified Behavior Analysts (BCBA) and Registered Behavior Agents (RBT), work with individuals diagnosed on the spectrum to identify the function of their behaviors, regardless of whether others see them as helpful or unhelpful.
After objective analysis, these ABA experts create strategies for managing destructive behaviors with more appropriate and adaptive means.
ABA therapy can also help those on the spectrum learn new skills, strengthen existing ones, and reduce triggers through positive reinforcement and other evidence-based models. It’s also essential to note that ABA therapy tailors to the individual’s needs, considering their age, abilities, and areas needing support throughout the application.
ABA Strategies for Addressing Challenging Behaviors
As every individual with autism is unique, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to addressing complex behaviors, which is why every ABA therapy plan is personal. However, some ABA strategies helpful in preventing and addressing these behaviors include:
- Identify triggers: Understand what situations or factors contribute to your child’s challenging behaviors.
- Use visual supports: Many individuals with ASD benefit from using visual supports like pictures, schedules, or behavior charts to understand expectations, transitions, and goals more comprehensively.
- Reinforcement of positive behaviors: Positive reinforcement involves acknowledging and rewarding helpful or productive behaviors to increase the likelihood of them occurring again.
- Develop a calming routine: A predictable and consistent routine can help individuals with autism feel more in control and reduce the likelihood of their resorting to challenging behaviors.
- Seek support: It’s essential to seek professional help from ABA therapists or autism experts who can provide feedback and support for managing maladaptive behaviors.
ABA Supports Families in Addressing Challenging Behaviors in Autism
Challenging behaviors in autism can be incredibly overwhelming, both for the individual with ASD and their caregivers. However, by understanding the underlying causation and creating targeted interventions that still accommodate the needs they present, it is possible to transform challenging behaviors and experiences into excellent lessons and new skills.
Fortunately, with the help of ABA, more families find success in addressing their children’s maladaptive behaviors before they become worse. So, if you have a child with autism, don’t lose hope. With patience, understanding, and practical strategies, you can help your ASD loved one thrive amidst the obstacles they face!
So, keep learning and exploring different ABA techniques to support your child or teenager on the spectrum toward achieving their life goals, dreams, and more!
More About ABA Therapy for Complex Behaviors with ABA Centers of Delaware!
At ABA Centers of Delaware, we believe that every individual is capable of learning and growing, regardless of their labels or struggles. With our ABA support and guidance, we can help your child or teen develop essential daily living skills that reduce challenging behaviors and help them grow into more independent, healthy adults.
ABA Centers of Delaware provides top-tier ABA therapy to those with an autism diagnosis. Our team of experienced and compassionate ABA experts offers a range of ABA care services and autism diagnostics for families living in regions in the Greater Wilmington area.
So please don’t hesitate to contact us at ABA Centers of Delaware today at (844) 855-8517 or via this online link to learn more about how we can support your neurodiverse family.
Together, we can make a positive difference in reducing misunderstandings and misconceptions around challenges with autism.