4 Important Tips to Effectively Deal With Behavior Characteristics of Autism

There are four tips to keep in mind whenever theThen we can decide what to do about it. If not then
behavior characteristics of Autism becomedamage control to reduce the injury is important.
overwhelming. Particularly the behavior characteristics3. How to de-escalate the situation? The next tip is to
which are self injurious are hard for parents to handle.consider how you will de-escalate the situation. Ideally
Keeping these three tips in mind in the midst of thethis is done before the situation presents its self. What
problem can be your lifeline.calms your child? A favorite toy or smell? Having an
1. Do not take it personally. The child with Autismemergency supply of whatever that item is can be the
generally is not using the behavior to get back at you.difference between a full fledged melt down and a little
There is not that type of thought in the situation. It is sobump. Parents may need training in effective ways to
hard not to take it personally and either become angrycradle and hold their child to prevent as much injury as
or so upset that you can not figure out what to do.possible.
Children with Autism will mirror the anger or the upset4. Debrief. Discuss the situation with someone who
and the situation will just escalate.knows about Autism and self injurious behaviors. A
2. What is really going on? The situation may be tensespouse or another parent is an ideal choice. In the
partly because we are dealing with our emotions. It isprocess of explaining what occurred you can gain
helpful to step back and look at the situation. If we cannew insights or the person listening may notice details
take a second to objectively look at the situation weyou missed. This step prepares you for the next time
might be able to see what is triggering the behavior.this behavior characteristic of Autism presents its self.