How to Manage Autism Spectrum Behavior

Having a child diagnosed with autism is extremely overwhelming for any parent. Unfortunately, the condition of autism is often associated with a number of behaviors ranging from aggression to property destruction to self-injury. However, once your child is positively diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, you may be able to access a number of different therapies to help with his condition. The earlier your child begins therapy services, the more impact those therapies are likely to have on his overall behavior.

Things You'll Need

• Behavior analyst
• Speech therapist
• Occupational therapist
• Individualized education plan

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Instructions

• 1

  Hire a behavior analyst to work with your child with an autism spectrum disorder. A behavior analyst will observe your child's behaviors and hypothesize possible reasons as to why certain behaviors are occurring. The behavior analyst will then develop a plan to help you reinforce or encourage behaviors that you want to see more often and help you discourage behaviors you want to see less often. Behavior analysts can also work on the developmental of self-help skills, social skills and verbal behavior.

• 2

  Have your child participate in speech therapy. Children on the autism spectrum typically have a delay in speech communication skills. Difficulty in communication may lead to maladaptive behaviors as a child goes to other lengths such as crying or throwing a tantrum to get what he wants. A speech therapist can help work on your child's communication through the use of pictures, sign language and/or speech depending on his skill level. As your child learns how to request desired items, ask for a break or for help, you should see a decrease in his maladaptive behaviors.

• 3

  Work with an occupational therapist. Children on the autism spectrum can be behind their typical peers when it comes to meeting fine and gross motor milestones. Additionally, children with autism may experience sensitivity to textures, sights and sounds. An occupational therapist will do an assessment of your child's current skill levels and develop a program to improve on current skills. Every day events such as dressing, grooming, and eating and even recreational activities can be worked on. As your child develops the skills to complete everyday activities, he will likely exhibit less maladaptive behaviors to escape difficult tasks

• 4

  Make sure your child has an individualized education plan to address his special education needs within the school system. It may be necessary for your child to be enrolled a special education class to address or possibly have an altered curriculum within a typical classroom. By making sure the school is aware of your child's special needs, you will ensure those needs get addressed. When proper adaptations and expectations are in place, maladaptive behaviors should be at a minimum.