If you have an autistic child who you deem as out of control then please do no panic, we are here to help.
Handling an out of control autistic child can be challenging and requires patience, empathy, and understanding. We all know however how difficult this can be.
Here are some strategies that may be helpful:
Stay Calm: As a caregiver, it’s essential to remain calm and composed when dealing with an autistic child who is out of control.
By staying calm, you can help prevent the situation from escalating further.
Identify Triggers: Understanding the child’s triggers can help prevent outbursts.
Some common triggers for autistic children include sensory overload, changes in routine, and communication difficulties.
Communicate Clearly: Autistic children often struggle with communication. Therefore, it’s essential to communicate clearly and simply. Use simple, direct language, and be patient.
Avoid sarcasm, irony, and jokes, as these can be confusing for an autistic child.
Provide Sensory Input: Many autistic children benefit from sensory input, such as deep pressure, rocking, or spinning.
Providing sensory input can help the child feel more comfortable and reduce their anxiety.
You could try such tactics as getting out a ‘disco ball’ which projects different colour lights on the ceilings and walls.
Or you could try a heavy blanket and see if your child likes the feeling of the blanket being on top of them.
Use Visual Supports: Visual supports, such as picture schedules and visual cues, can be helpful for autistic children. A good example of a visual support would be green and red smiley faces to highlight when you are happy or sad.
Visual supports can provide structure and predictability, which can help reduce anxiety and prevent outbursts.
Provide Positive Reinforcement: Positive reinforcement can be a powerful tool for shaping behavior in autistic children.
Praise and reward the child when they exhibit appropriate behavior, such as following instructions or remaining calm in a challenging situation.
Seek Professional Help: If your child’s behavior is consistently out of control, it may be helpful to seek professional help.
A behavioral therapist or a specialist in autism can provide guidance and support in developing effective strategies for managing challenging behavior.
Summary – Autistic child out of control
Managing an out of control autistic child can be challenging, but there are strategies that can help.
By staying calm, identifying triggers, communicating clearly, providing sensory input, using visual supports and providing positive reinforcement caregivers can help their child manage challenging behavior and develop the skills needed to thrive.
