Children who are autistic have a different way of looking at the world, which can greatly impact the wellness of the child and other family members. Your child may behave differently in social settings, or have problems with learning and communicating. On some occasions, autistic children can have violent behavioural outbursts, but it’s important to realise that these aren’t usually intentional. External factors often trigger behavioural problems in autistic children, but there are effective strategies you can use to protect family wellness against these behaviours, and ensure your child’s wellbeing.
1. Understand your child: Autism manifests differently in each individual child, so you need to understand your own kid’s behaviour, and how the condition affects it. What gets your child aggravated and violent? For example, this may be excessive noise and light or close physical contact with others.
2. Communicate with your child in the best way: As a parent, you need to adapt to your child’s behaviour and communication style. This may mean being more expressive, using more body movements or giving a lot of sensory inputs. Once you find a technique that works, stick with it; autistic children do not understand variety.
3. Use sensory inputs: Wellness experts asset that the best sensory input that you can provide to your autistic child is a bear hug. While this may not work well if your child reacts badly to close physical contact, most autistic children find physical contact very soothing and calming. You can also get positive results with fidget toys, bouncing on a trampoline or covering your child with quilts.
4. Be practical and realistic: Different behaviour isn’t the same as bad behaviour, so don’t be concerned if your child does things like hand-flapping, circling on the spot or rolling on the floor. As long as your child isn’t hurt or hurting others, you shouldn’t worry or try to control the behaviour, as this may aggravate your child.
5. Consult a therapist: Autistic children often benefit from a specialised teaching style, as they usually cannot learn things when taught in a normal manner. A therapist can help train you and your child in skills that can help social behavioural patterns, and group therapies are also very effective.
6. Channel the energies: Is your child always clambering on furniture? Try rock climbing or your local park. Does your child keep throwing things? Install a basketball hoop in your back garden. Whatever your child’s behaviour is geared towards, channel it and praise your child when they use this inclination appropriately, but be stern when they start climbing/throwing things at home. Your child needs to learn when the appropriate times are to do certain things.
7. Reward for positive behaviour: Discourage your child from negative behaviour by talking in a stern manner, and overwhelm them with praise, hugs and rewards when they do something right. Make sure that he understands that you are rewarding him. Make sure your tone of voice and facial expression convey what you mean.
8. Be consistent: If you punish your child in a particular manner when he makes a particular mistake, you should continue to use that form of discipline every time that mistake is made. Variety will confuse your child, but consistency will help him to eventually learn what he’s doing is wrong.
9. React quickly: You should discipline your child immediately, as postponing the punishment – and the praise you give when your child apologises – won’t make an impact as your child won’t be able to make the association.
10. Ensure your home environment is suitable: Eliminate breakables from your home and fix latches on every door and cupboard. This won’t solve your child’s problems, but it will ensure he is safe from harm when he acts out.
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