Behaviour Management

Behavioural management

You ask your child to pack a bag for school, and your child says, “I know! Your gut reaction sends your child to their room to talk to you. However, if you are raising a child with Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD), this type of punishment does not alleviate behavioural problems. But what happens?

Why traditional discipline fails

ASD causes a variety of intellectual, social, behavioural, and communication problems. These problems make it difficult for children with ASD to understand the rules of society and the consequences of their actions.  For these reasons, traditional methods of discipline that use negative reinforcement only worsen behaviour and increase tension. However, over time, by strengthening positive behaviour, you can begin to reduce behavioural problems.

 

Focus on the positive

 Your child may not understand why certain behaviours are punished. But if you reward your child for positive behaviour, they are more likely to repeat it in the future.

The rewards that each child wants are different. It’s important to understand what motivates your child. For example, one child may want to spend time playing with certain toys, while another may be motivated to travel to their favourite playground. If your child is older, we recommend that you consider working your child for special rewards, such as a trip to an amusement park.

Behaviour management tips

Here’s how to manage your child’s behaviour:

Use charts to track your child’s progress and encourage positive behaviour. You can use stickers and tokens to get your child involved in the process. Hang the board where your child can see every day. Give praise when your child shows the desired behaviour. Please be specific, such as “Thank you for checking in to your room.” This helps to relate the desired behaviour of your child to admiration. Become a role model for your child and model the behaviour you want your child to see. Make sure you use the same discipline method for all your kids so they don’t look like you’re playing your favourites. Stay consistent. Everyone involved with your child must agree to use the same disciplinary action. Share your approach with other caregivers. If your child is out of control of their emotions, it may be best to move to another environment and wait for your child to settle down. Meltdowns and eruptions can occur anywhere. Inform your family, friends, and caregivers about your child’s condition and the benefits of positive enhancement. Having more people and the need for active strengthening to understand your child can increase support for your child and reduce tension during the explosion.

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