For parents raising a child with autism, it can be challenging to stop bad behavior that has become a habit. Parents can inadvertently reinforce bad behaviors and make things more complicated than they need to be. Bad behavior in children with autism is something that you can correct with time and patience. A behavioral therapy program can also benefit your child with autism and give them the life skills they need to lead a happy and productive life.
At Camp Worth, we help teen boys and girls between the ages of eleven and seventeen with their development through our various therapy and educational programs. We work with each child’s unique symptoms and develop a program that best suits their needs. We also include family education to create a safe and productive home life. To get help with your teen’s unwanted autism behavior, call Camp Worth at 855.915.2545 or contact us online for information about our behavioral therapy program.
Identifying Bad Behavior in Children with Autism
Some bad behavior in children with autism is because their senses are overwhelmed or overly frustrated by not being understood. It’s important to recognize these uncontrollable behaviors and not treat them like temper tantrums to get a treat or avoid doing something they hate.
Uncontrollable behaviors can include:
- Biting their hands and fingers
- Rocking, hand flapping, or other stimming behavior
- Screaming and yelling
- Headbanging or hitting themselves
- Not making eye contact
- Hurting others
Tips for Correcting Bad Behavior
Keeping a level head and calm demeanor can be difficult when your child begins exhibiting bad behavior. Remember to stick to the calming techniques that work best for your child every time, as they will work better the more you use them.
Tips for correcting bad behavior in children with autism include:
- Use positive reinforcement – Children with autism respond better to positive reinforcement over typical disciplining such as spanking and taking a favorite toy away. Reward their good behavior consistently, which will help reduce temper tantrums and meltdowns in the future.
- Teach self-calming techniques – When your child gets upset, they can spiral and lose control of their actions. Distracting your child with a stimulating toy or putting them in a quiet, safe space can stop their bad behavior from getting worse. Deep breathing exercises are very beneficial in calming racing minds.
- Control their environment – Have a designated quiet room in your home that you use for quiet time and when their autism behavior becomes uncontrollable. Remove all distractions and sit with them until they begin to calm down.
- Communicate – Yelling at your child will only make things worse, and when they are in the middle of a temper tantrum, they will not be able to comprehend what you are saying. It would help if you remembered to use calm, soothing tones no matter how much they scream and yell.
- Keep them safe – No matter the reason for the bad behavior, the most important thing is to keep them safe. While you don’t need to stop non-harmful stimming behavior, if they are hitting themselves or headbanging, you want to stop them before causing serious harm. Simply holding on to them tightly and singing a favorite song or using other techniques can help calm your child down safely.
Choose Camp Worth for Support Avoiding Bad Behavior in Children with Autism
At Camp Worth, we support teen boys and girls in developing social and life skills that they need to lead a more independent life. We also work with their parents and siblings to create a better home life that is safe and conducive to their learning. We will help you identify your child’s unique warning signs and teach you coping skills to stop the bad behavior from escalating.
If you want help controlling bad behavior in children with autism, call 855.915.2545 today to speak with our team or reach us online for more information about our behavioral therapy program.
