behaviors of autism
Coping with a child who has an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can be very difficult; particularly when they display challenging behavior. It can be even more difficult to cope if your child is non-verbal having a child that is non-verbal is a challenge itself because they cannot express themselves so that a teacher or someone other than their parent would understand. The challenging behavior for students typically would be considered physically aggressive behavior, but can also include behaviors like putting inedible items in the mouth and hand flapping if they are having a negative impact on your child or your family. This information sheet focuses on coping with challenging behavior and can be used alongside our information sheets on ‘Understanding behaviors’ and ‘Behavior guidelines. It is important to bear in mind that behavior has a function and that there could be a number of reasons for it. These may include difficulty in processing information, unstructured time, over-sensitivity which is where the hyper behavior comes into play or under-sensitivity where they hypo behavior comes to play such as, a change in routine or physical reasons like feeling unwell, tired or hungry. Not being able to communicate these difficulties can lead to anxiety, anger and frustration, and then to an outburst of challenging behavior.
Hair pulling
When it comes to hair pulling kids are doing this to seek out reaction from that adult or that teacher that is around them. They are doing this because the focus is not on them anymore and so they are going to do whatever they can to get the attention back on them. The child can have difficulties when it comes to meeting new people and the same way goes for a student they may not like having to meet new people every time. Also seeking out or avoiding a sensory input, e.g. the smell of the person or the noises they make. Having the child pulling your hair can hurt especially if they are pulling it out of anger or something suggestions for a parent or teacher can do is first they can tie there long hair back so that they child cant grab a lot of hair you can also not give the child a reaction and avoid the situation, you can avoid it by not talking to the child or making eye contact. Second suggestion is that you can give them positive reinforcement or you can also distract the child by tickling them. Third thing one can do is when you are getting ready to meet someone that the child does not know you can get them ready when introducing them to unfamiliar people. Last is when they feel like pulling on something you can give those opportunities so that they can enjoy their pulling for example tug of war, or having a rope where they can climb Johnson, (2004) |
Pinching, kicking, slapping
the reasons behind this can be that frustration by being able not to communicate with the surroundings around them, having difficulty waiting for something, because of the difficulty with the concept of time and abstract thinking, having people around that are unfamiliar, a change in the routine from the original, Over-sensitivity to noise, crowds, smells, touch, sight then there is kids not wanting to do anything, and lastly, feeling tired, thirsty, and being in an uncomfortable position. The strategies As a teacher you can use what is called the Picture Exchange Communication System, which is just another way for people to communicate with things that are visual or you can help with communication by showing the child sequence of events and routine for the day Also teachers and parents know that kids have routines and sometimes kids do not always follow that routine so dealing with children that have routines as a teacher or parent you have to prepare for any changes in routine Reward your child for doing something they don’t want to do, straight after the desirable behavior. As a teacher or a parent staying in a calm monotone voice is something that works or you can tell that kid to stop kicking, pinching or slapping without showing any type of emotion and then redirect them afterwards Johnson, (2004) |
Biting
There are many reasons why a kid might start biting here are a few possible reason behind why kids start biting looking for attention, seeking out sensory input to the mouth, frustration at not being able to communicate something that is causing distress and to get it to stop, or struggling to get needs met, reacting to something going on in the environment, ex too much noise, Pain in the mouth or teeth. Strategies that a teacher can use when it comes to biting is One of those thing is to improve communication: you say that kids name and say “no biting” when saying that child’s name the student will know then that you are talking to them and that you mean what you say when you tell them to stop. Secondly, the teacher can use visual supports – use a ‘no biting’ symbol and a picture symbol showing what to do instead of biting and having pictures up can show the student that kind of behavior is not accepted in the classroom. Thirdly, a teacher can find alternates for the kid to chew on such as a child can chew gum in a class has long as the student does not get out of hand, or you can give a child something to chew on such as chewy tubes. Fourthly, as a teacher learn what the things that makes that child angry and find a way for that student to relax. Lastly, when you see your student doing the right behavior reward that behavior by saying that student name and tell them good job for what they are doing and then give an reward as soon as you see that appropriate behavior to encourage that student to continue doing what they doing Johnson, (2004) |