How to Reduce Aggressive Behavior in Autistic Children

Autistic children sometimes have problems with aggressive behavior. These behaviors include pushing, hitting, biting and throwing objects, among others. While every child goes through this at an early age, some autistic children have a difficult time outgrowing it, or go back to the phase of aggression. As children with autism get bigger, their strength increases, which makes aggression more of a problem. Because autism adds a degree of difficulty to addressing aggressive behaviors, there are several different approaches to reduce, and hopefully eliminate, the aggressive behaviors. This article details how to reduce aggressive behaviors in autistic children.

Instructions

    • 1

      Try behavior intervention. Behavior specialists work with children who have difficult and aggressive behaviors. They observe the children in their environments to determine the underlying cause of the behaviors.

    • 2

      Eliminate sensory issues. If the child has sensory issues that are overwhelming them, they can become aggressive. Loud noises, bright lights, lots of people and irritating touches (including soft or hard touches depending on the child's defensiveness) all cause problems with some autistic children. An occupational therapist can help by doing a Sensory Profile to determine if the child has any sensory defensiveness.

    • 3

      Help with communication. Not being able to communicate is a huge factor in non-verbal (or semi-verbal) autistic children. Not being able to verbalize wants and needs is very frustrating, and often the children resort to violence simply because they are unable to tell anyone what they want, need or feel. Work on communication, whether verbally or by some other assisted form to help the child in this area.

    • 4

      Check for other issues. Many times, children with autism are unable to verbalize if something is bothering them. Headaches cause aggressive behaviors in some autistic children. Even autistic children that catch up in the speech arena have a difficult time articulating their body pains, functions and feelings.

    • 5

      Try meds. If all else fails, it may be necessary to try medication to reduce aggressive behaviors. Discuss medication with the child's pediatrician, neurologist and/or behavior specialist. Determine as a team the best approach to treating the child with pharmaceuticals. Keep in mind that medication is not necessarily permanent, and if it doesn't work, just stop it.

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