| Self control is a struggle for kids as well as adults who | | | | about behavior in the past as well as the future. Make |
| are faced with autism. This includes but is not limited to | | | | sure that you set clear goals for the person to |
| inappropriate outbursts, aggressive behavior towards | | | | accomplish. For example set a goal of no aggression |
| others, and banging their heads off walls. To prevent | | | | towards others for a whole day. Every 15 minute ask |
| these and other outrageous behaviors one must utilize | | | | them how they are doing. If the goal is not being met it |
| self management. Giving the autistic person control | | | | might be necessary to start with smaller goals and |
| over themselves is often the solution to control violent | | | | work your way up to more achievable ones. |
| situations and outbreaks. This can also be a valuable | | | | Obviously the most important part of self |
| tool in learning how others behave as well. | | | | management is a reward system. Have the person |
| Self management works so well because the individual | | | | come up with their own reward. Reinforcement of the |
| no longer feels like they are controlled by others. | | | | reward throughout the day helps the person focus on |
| When you teach a person with autism self control | | | | the goal and what it takes to achieve it. Again you |
| throughout certain parts of the day they will become | | | | want to start with small rewards and work your way |
| more likely to continue self control for longer periods of | | | | to bigger ones. |
| time. It's important to start with small amounts of time | | | | It's critical that you understand that the development of |
| and increase it as day's progress. Remind the person | | | | these programs don't happen overnight. With this in |
| every 10 to 15 minutes that they are in control and | | | | mind it is very important that you and the person have |
| they need to monitor and be aware of good behavior | | | | enough time to devote to self improvement. By |
| as well as bad behavior. | | | | reinforcing good behavior with rewards, he or she will |
| This technique is a simple form of self evaluation. | | | | be more likely to carry this experience on to even |
| When a person is in control, they think more closely | | | | when they are not participating in the program. |