Behavioral Management of Autistic Children
How to Help Autistic Children Improve Their Behavior in Public
Jun 14, 2009
For caregivers, taking their autistic children out in public, particularly new settings, can pose an immense challenge. Autistic children with sensory difficulties and language deficits are fearful of new places and situations, which constitute the unknown. Their feelings of fear and anxiety are then manifested in tantrums and other forms of disruptive behavior.
Consequently, caregivers often limit their outside activities with their autistic children to routine places. However, this restrictive lifestyle can deprive the entire family of the opportunity to experience life beyond their daily routines. Moreover, without persistent exposure to the outside world, these autistic children will never be able to gain the experience to learn how to manage their fears.
Here are some of the things that caregivers can do to improve their autistic child’s ability to participate in mainstream society and alleviate their own stress.
Strive for a Pre-determined Minimum Standard of Behavior
To help their children to participate in the public space, caregivers must work hard to teach them to abide by what is determined to be the minimum standard of behavior. This minimum standard should be a realistic compromise between the children’s ability to live up to these expectations and the social norm. While this bare minimum is subjective and may differ from caregiver to caregiver, and from place to place, it should at least be guided by the following limits:
- The child should not place himself/herself or others in danger.
- The child should not be unduly disruptive.
Choose the Settings Wisely
To ensure that it is reasonable for their autistic children to achieve this minimum standard of behavior, caregivers must match their children’s functioning level, including sensory issues, with the specific settings and the related social norms.
Though caregivers should challenge their children by exposing them to diverse settings, they should start out by targeting places where their children are likely to achieve the minimum standard of behavior. A child who is hyperactive and runs around everywhere will be more likely to succeed at an unknown playground than a concert hall.
Do the Homework
Caregivers should make the necessary preparation for their children to succeed. First of all, they should inform their children about the event ahead of time, thus giving them additional time to work through any stress and anxiety prior to the experience.
Next, they should gather information such as photos, maps and other types of visuals about the location and event via the Internet or phone calls. The caregivers' knowledge will enable them to formulate backup plans to make a quick exit, as needed.
Finally, they should create social stories that set out their expectations to share with their children, accompanied by the visuals they have gathered.
Maintain One's Composure
It is difficult to for caregivers to keep their cool when their children are throwing a tantrum in public. However, when caregivers lose their temper, their are merely adding fuel to the fire. Although their children may lack verbal skills, they are affected by their caregivers' state of mind. Thus, caregivers' reactions to their children’s behaviors can either alleviate or exacerbate the situation.
Only by maintaining their composure will caregivers be able focus on the problem at hand, tap into their reserve of strategies such as behavioral modification, and implement them successfully.
By aiming for the predetermined minimum standard of behavior, selecting public settings wisely, preparing their children with information ahead of time, and staying calm, caregivers will expand their autistic children's participation in mainstream society.
