Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) spans various behaviors, some charming and healthy, others dangerous. Challenging behavior in autism can vary in severity from communication difficulties that may seem rude to more intense actions such as running away, hitting, meltdowns, and inappropriate fixations.
This behavior is rooted in the way people on the spectrum experience and communicate with the world. Behind every troublesome, hard-to-understand action is an evident want or a need. The social deficits lead to misunderstandings, during which individuals with autism attempt to explain something but can’t find the words.
At ABA Centers of Georgia, we focus on compassionate autism care and making a positive difference in the lives of people on the spectrum. It is essential to approach challenging behavior in autism with empathy, understanding, and a person-centered approach.
By identifying the underlying triggers, implementing effective strategies, and seeking professional guidance, caregivers, educators, and support networks can help individuals with autism navigate these challenges, enhance their well-being, and foster meaningful connections with others. This blog will focus on some commonly seen behaviors and how to address them.
Why Do Challenging Behaviors Occur?
Challenging behavior is often miscast as “bad,” but it’s essential to try and understand it and not stigmatize it. When someone on the spectrum starts screaming, it is not out of malice or a desire to hurt others. ASD is a neurodevelopmental condition, and individuals diagnosed often have unique cognitive processing styles and patterns. They may think and perceive the world differently from neurotypical individuals. These cognitive differences can affect their understanding of social situations.
Challenging behaviors are not deliberate but rather a way for individuals with ASD to communicate their needs, cope with overwhelming situations, or express their emotions.
1. Communication Issues: Social Awkwardness and Rude Behavior
The most common and least dangerous challenging behavior in autism is social communication. Difficulties understanding and expressing emotions, maintaining eye contact, interpreting body language, and using an appropriate tone of voice can lead to situations perceived as insensitive. For example, someone on the spectrum might misunderstand that they must pay for an item before taking it at a store.
These are a result of differences in social cognition. They are unintentional, perfectly natural, and bear no ill will. Something that signifies this lack of maliciousness is that kids on the spectrum tend to tell the truth regardless of the consequence. Instead of indulging someone, kids with ASD will struggle to lie and make candid observations, which can be off-putting. Social communication is highly contextual, and individuals with autism struggle to understand nuances that can seem second nature.
It is crucial to provide individuals with autism with opportunities for social skills training, including explicit instruction on social cues, nonverbal communication, and appropriate social responses. Visual support, social stories, and modeling situations step by step can help individuals better understand social expectations and improve their communication skills.
2. Sensory Overload: Meltdowns and Shutdowns
When studied by MRI and other brain processing technologies, researchers noted different activity patterns in the brains of people with ASD. These are perhaps responsible for their heightened awareness of stimuli. They may be hyper or hypo-sensitive to various sensory stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, or certain textures. When sensory information overwhelms, individuals may experience meltdowns or shutdowns to cope with the overload.
Meltdowns are intense reactions characterized by emotional outbursts, screaming, crying, and sometimes self-injurious behaviors. On the other hand, shutdowns involve withdrawal, reduced responsiveness, and a desire for isolation. Both meltdowns and shutdowns are attempts to regulate sensory input and restore a sense of control when they can’t find the appropriate words or actions to do so by more positive means.
Avoiding sensory overload requires a calm and predictable environment. Sensory accommodations like noise-canceling headphones, soothing textures, or dim lighting can help reduce stress. Many parents find it helpful to identify a quiet space and let their children know they can go there, relax, and return only when they are ready if things get too stressful.
Teaching coping strategies such as deep breathing and self-regulation techniques like counting to ten before reacting can also be beneficial.
3. Impulsivity and Aggression: Hitting and Self-Injury
Moving up in the danger levels of challenging behavior in autism is aggression directed outwardly or inwardly. Frustration, difficulty with emotional regulation, communication barriers, or sensory overload are behind these behaviors. People on the spectrum have a deep well of emotion, reporting higher rates of depression and other mental conditions. Aggressive behaviors are a coping mechanism borne out of existing in a world that doesn’t fully understand them.
Addressing impulsive and aggressive behaviors requires identifying and addressing the underlying triggers. Neurotypical individuals also have things that set them off. Teaching alternative communication methods can give individuals a better way of expressing their feelings. Usually, when kids on the spectrum realize their behavior is counterproductive and there are better ways to attain what they want, they learn healthier behavior.
For example, a toddler with ASD who is hungry may pull their mom’s hair for attention, causing pain and slowing the process of getting what they want. Instead of hitting, they can learn to point or make a sound. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), the gold standard in autism therapy, teaches techniques based on positive reinforcement to identify the function of the behavior and establish a healthier alternative.
4. Running Away and Elopement
Elopement, or running away, is a concerning behavior in some individuals with autism. This behavior poses significant safety risks and can be particularly challenging for caregivers. Elopement can occur due to sensory overload, the desire to explore, or difficulty understanding danger.
To prevent elopement, caregivers should focus on creating a safe environment by securing windows and doors, using alarms or locks, and providing visual cues to indicate boundaries. You can identify which discomfort causes your child to wander and talk to them about it. Developing a comprehensive safety plan in collaboration with professionals and educating individuals about safety measures can help mitigate the risk.
5. Inappropriate Fixations and Restricted Interests
Individuals with autism often develop intense interests or fixations on specific topics, objects, or activities. While having focused interests can be positive, these fixations can become challenging when they interfere with daily functioning or social interactions. Frequent obsessions may include certain TV shows, video games, objects, or specific subjects.
The most troubling of the fixations is tough to talk about. Individuals with ASD might have sexual fascinations rooted in a poor understanding of social expectations. They may not realize that there is anything wrong with nakedness. Unsavory individuals can take advantage of these, making it very important to identify these behaviors early. Expert intervention can ensure your child’s safety and well-being.
To address other inappropriate fixations, one must balance allowing individuals to engage in their interests while encouraging them to explore new activities and develop flexibility. Incorporating their fascinations into learning opportunities or creating social opportunities around their interests can be beneficial. Expanding their range of interests and providing support for transitions and flexibility can also help individuals broaden their horizons.
ABA Centers of Georgia and Challenging Behavior in Autism
Dealing with challenging behavior day after day can wear somebody down. Do not lose hope; you are not alone. At ABA Centers of Georgia, our team of experts is ready to extend compassionate and comprehensive care to address any behavioral difficulty your child may have. We specialize in Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), an individualized form of therapy backed by decades of research and known to be effective at teaching individuals with ASD new skills to operate in the world.
Whether trying to learn something simple, like responding to questions, or something complicated, like mitigating aggression, ABA teaches coping mechanisms for daily living that improve social interaction and academic performance, ultimately fostering independence.
Call (855) 929-5058 or reach out on our website for a FREE consultation that can make a profound difference in your loved one’s quality of life.
