If you have an autistic child who can be violent it is a question you may have asked yourself, why do autistic kids hit?

This can be a very distressing issue for parents to tackle as you are willing your child to get on with others.

Clearly it is important to note this behaviour is not typical of all autistic children, many never hit others.

Every child is different with their own unique strengths and challenges.

In this article we look to help the parents and carers of children who do hit others.

We will explore why they may behave this way and what parents and caregivers can do to prevent and manage this behaviour.

Autism and lashing out

Firstly, it is important to understand that hitting is a behaviour that is not unique to autistic children.

Many children hit others for a variety of reasons, such as frustration, anger, or the desire for attention.

However, autistic children may hit others for different reasons, such as sensory overload, communication difficulties, or difficulty managing their emotions.

Sensory overload

Sensory overload occurs when the autistic child is overwhelmed by their environment.

This can be caused by a variety of sensory stimuli, such as loud noises, bright lights, or strong smells.

For autistic children, sensory overload can be painful and overwhelming, leading to a fight or flight response.

Hitting others may be a way for the child to release this pent-up energy and frustration.

Communication

Communication difficulties can also be a reason why autistic children hit others.

Autistic children often have difficulty communicating their needs and desires, leading to frustration and misunderstandings.

Hitting others may be a way for the child to express their needs or to get their point across.

Managing emotions

Difficulty managing emotions is another reason why autistic children may hit others.

Autistic children may have difficulty regulating their feelings. This could lead to them becoming overwhelmed by strong feelings of frustration, anger, or anxiety.

Hitting others may be a way for the child to release these emotions.

What parents of kids who hit can do

If you have an autistic child who hits others then it is very distressing and difficult to deal with.

You likely have a child who is kind and loving the majority of the time but has these moments of anger.

Here are some tactics you can try;

Identify triggers

One effective strategy is to identify triggers that may cause the child to hit others and to avoid or minimise exposure to these triggers.

For example, if the child is sensitive to loud noises, it may be helpful to avoid noisy environments.

We recommend you actually taking notes about when, where and if known, why your child has lashed out.

Over time you will be able to deeply understand what triggers the behaviour which will set you up to tackle it.

Preempt episodes

Once you understand your child’s triggers you can prepare and take action if you think they may start to hit.

For example if you recognise that they hit when expected to share toys you could bring with you a favourite alternative.

So if you note a child attempting to share a toy your child has, you could distract your child with the other option.

You could also address possible sensory needs if that is a trigger. For example loud noises may make your child lash out, in which case you could have some noise cancelling headphones ready.

Teach alternatives

Another effective strategy is to teach the child alternative ways to express their needs and emotions.

This can be done through social stories, role-playing, or other forms of communication training.

By giving the child the tools they need to communicate effectively.

Parents and caregivers can help reduce frustration and misunderstandings that may lead to hitting behaviour.

There are various communication aides available including technology and picture cards. If you can make inroads with your child’s communication then perhaps they could explain why they are frustrated.

Summary – Why do autistic kids hit?

Hitting behaviour in autistic children can be caused by a variety of factors, such as sensory overload and communication difficulties.

Parents and caregivers can take steps to prevent and manage this behaviour in a number of ways.

You can try identifying triggers, teaching alternative ways to communicate, and providing a supportive and understanding environment.

With the right support, autistic children can learn to manage their behaviour and develop healthy social skills.