How to Help Kids With Autism Behaviors

One of the characteristics of autism spectrum disorder, or ASD, is repetitive behaviors. Children may rock, twirl or flap their hands. Some children bite themselves or bang their heads. These are referred to as self-stimulatory behaviors, or "stimming." (Ref 1) It is important to remember that these behaviors are comforting to the child, and help him to cope with anxiety, fear or excitement. (Ref 2)

Things You'll Need

  • Applied Behavioral Analysis therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Physical therapist

Instructions

  1. Identifying and Addressing Self-Stimulatory Behaviors

    • 1

      Stimming behaviors can be disruptive in school and in social situations, and may be upsetting to people who witness them. Isolate one behavior at a time that may be problematic for your child. Try to determine when the child engages in that behavior and what the circumstances might be. If your child flaps his hands, try to figure out what is causing him to do that. He may be excited or anxious.

    • 2

      Therapists who work with autistic children on behaviors try to replace the offending behavior with one that is more acceptable. For example, a child who flaps his hands may be taught to lightly tap his leg instead. Controlling self-stimulatory behavior is often part of a larger program of Applied Behavioral Analysis, or ABA, that is provided to children with autism. Trained ABA therapists will work with children to teach new academic, social and behavioral skills and to eliminate unwanted behaviors. By using intensive, structured training sessions, the therapist will reward the child when he demonstrates the preferred behavior. If the child demonstrates the behavior that the therapist is trying to eliminate, there is no reward. It is important to note that the child is not punished for the offending behavior. Giving a reward for the preferred behavior will cause the child to repeat that behavior. Eventually, the reward can be eliminated as the new behavior becomes a habit.

    • 3

      Sensory integration therapy, which is provided by an occupational therapist, may also help to decrease self-stimulatory behaviors. Sensory integration refers to the interaction of three senses: the sense of touch, the sense of balance and the sense of where the child̵7;s body is in space. Many children on the autism spectrum also have sensory integration dysfunction. In a 2005 study in the American Journal of Occupational Therapy (see Reference 3), seven children, from 8 to 19 years old, were able to reduce stimming behaviors with sensory input, such as deep pressure, stroking or motion such as using a swing. Replacing the stimming behavior with another behavior that is more socially appropriate may help the child to fit in. Physical therapists can help kids with autism with gross motor skills, which may decrease behaviors such as running on tiptoes and flapping arms.

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