| Compulsive rituals, phobias and anxiety, that are usually | | | | self-injury that many autistic children do to themselves |
| related to fear, are more common to occur in children | | | | and seem to feel no pain or express it. This can be a |
| with autism. The interesting result of the studies have | | | | result of compulsive rituals, phobias and anxiety. |
| revealed that children with autism have rated high in | | | | What causes these compulsive rituals, phobias and |
| the area, of having compulsive rituals, phobias and | | | | anxiety? Most of the time they are caused from fears, |
| anxiety. | | | | stress, not enough communication and the fact that |
| They appear to experience more phobias and fears, | | | | not all children with autism comprehend. The first task |
| that has been challenged, by their surroundings and a | | | | is, to try and determine what is upsetting to the child |
| combination of circumstances, but they also seem to | | | | with autism. Sometimes the cause can be placed in |
| have fewer fears of harm or self-injury to themselves. | | | | balance with their environment and their family. |
| For example, banging their head on hard concrete, or a | | | | If the parents or caregivers are able to determine |
| wooden floor, hitting themselves, biting themselves, and | | | | what triggers or sets-off these behaviors, it might be |
| sometimes finding sharp objects that can puncture or | | | | wise to try and avoid those circumstances and |
| wound themselves. This kind of behavior does not | | | | redirect them to a more positive area. Some of the |
| seem to alarm them. | | | | triggers, could be, loud noises, bright lights, too many |
| As a parent or caregiver, there are concerns for | | | | new faces all at once, an introduction to new |
| some of the problematic behaviors displayed by | | | | surrounding and foods, time changes from traveling, |
| individuals with the disorder of autism. Some of the | | | | new clothes that are a different texture, music that is |
| children, related to their anxiety by having anger | | | | too fast, too loud, and words that are unclear, change |
| outbursts, and temper tantrums. Some other children, | | | | of schedule, routine, and weather are some of the |
| display compulsive rituals, that include holding and | | | | points that should be considered, to bring on some of |
| twirling a string back and forth in front of their face, | | | | compulsive rituals, phobias, and anxiety. |
| washing spoons in water over and over again, | | | | Once you, as a parent or caregiver are aware of |
| watching the water drip and drip with the faucet on, | | | | what the compulsive rituals, phobias, and anxiety are, |
| and watching a DVD over and over again, without | | | | learn about them, network with other people who are |
| realizing that they may have watched it twenty times | | | | having these experiences, or are currently involved |
| within a short period of time. | | | | with these behaviors. Search for new ways to |
| In addition, the child may learn a new word and repeat | | | | redirect you child to go forward with a healthy way of |
| it over and over again, without knowing what it means | | | | direction, so their behavior becomes balanced in our |
| or using it for the wrong purpose. The other concern is, | | | | environment. It will not be perfect, but it will be better. |