Handling Outbursts and Unpleasant Behaviors

All children have temper tantrums. They scream, cry, yell and thrash about whenever they do not get what they want when they want it. Sometimes a piece of candy or a little pep talk can calm them down – and other times it takes more than a promise to get them to stop. For children with autism, outbursts of unpleasant behavior may be caused by frustration over trying to communicate what they feel or a product of a routine change.

As parents, you may experience your own frustrations and feel helpless whenever your child throws a fit and you cannot seem to make him or her stop nor understand what your child wants in the first place. Observation can help you see what causes your child’s outbursts of unpleasant behavior. Be keen and, eventually, as your child grows, you will learn to identify what triggers these tantrums and apply strategies that work to calm your child. There are several ways you can handle a tantrum:

• • Positive reinforcement – Praise your child as soon as the tantrum stops and calm behavior appears. A small reward or token for calm behavior works too, but never the thing the tantrum was for; that teaches the tantrum, not the calm.
  • Ignoring – Children sometimes throw a tantrum just for attention. In this situation, you can ignore your child. Do not talk, correct, hold or yell at your child (but always make sure your child is safe) so your child learns that a tantrum does not bring attention (Heffner).
  • Never punish – Spanking is never the answer of handling a behavior outburst. Remember that your child with autism may be throwing a tantrum because he or she is not able to convey something verbally; so punishment teaches nothing.
  • Assure your child that you understand – Guarantee your child that you know he or she is trying to say something but show another way to tell you, with words, pictures, signs, or a device.

Handling tantrums of a child with autism is not easy. Keep in mind that you can always ask for help on how to deal with tantrums from professionals, such as your child’s school counselor, teacher, or even your child’s therapist. With a little extra patience and a keen eye for observation, your child’s outbursts of unpleasant behavior are something that you and your family will be able to handle.

References:

 Heffner, G.J. (n.d.). Managing tantrums in autistic children. Retrieved April 24, 2011, from http://www.autism-help.org/behavior-tantrums-aspergers.htm

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