In school and in-home based therapy programs, children with autism are sometimes doing activities that they probably would rather not be doing. We have probably all witnessed a child with autism have problem behavior when they've had too much of an activity. Perhaps the activity is very difficult, perhaps the child is having sensory issues, etc. There are many reasons why a child may want to end with an activity.
We also know that children with autism often struggle with communication. If they don't have another way to communicate, children may use problem behavior to make the activity end. It's really difficult to continue an activity if the child is screaming and kicking (for example). So, problem behavior is actually a quick and effective way for the child to escape from the activity.
This is not to say that the child is being manipulative. I believe that sometimes problem behavior is the only way the child has to tell you, "I need this activity to stop now!" So, what we need to do is teach another way for children to tell you that.
The first thing I would encourage you to do is observe the child for any signs that they are getting overwhelmed, overstimulated, or upset. A child may start fidgeting, may start asking for favorite toys, may start to get up and try to walk away from the activity area, etc. In other words, are there any precursors to your child's problem behavior?
The next step is to give your child another way to ask for a break without using problem behavior. It should be as fast and effective as he problem behavior. That is, give your child a break as soon as he or she asks appropriately!
When you notice any of the precursors, you can tell your child, "If you need a break, you can ask for one." If your child is verbal, you can just tell them the words to say. Depending on your child's current verbal skills, you can use various phrases to request a break, but try to pick one and use it consistently when first teaching your child to ask for a break. Some examples are:
We also know that children with autism often struggle with communication. If they don't have another way to communicate, children may use problem behavior to make the activity end. It's really difficult to continue an activity if the child is screaming and kicking (for example). So, problem behavior is actually a quick and effective way for the child to escape from the activity.
This is not to say that the child is being manipulative. I believe that sometimes problem behavior is the only way the child has to tell you, "I need this activity to stop now!" So, what we need to do is teach another way for children to tell you that.
The first thing I would encourage you to do is observe the child for any signs that they are getting overwhelmed, overstimulated, or upset. A child may start fidgeting, may start asking for favorite toys, may start to get up and try to walk away from the activity area, etc. In other words, are there any precursors to your child's problem behavior?
The next step is to give your child another way to ask for a break without using problem behavior. It should be as fast and effective as he problem behavior. That is, give your child a break as soon as he or she asks appropriately!
When you notice any of the precursors, you can tell your child, "If you need a break, you can ask for one." If your child is verbal, you can just tell them the words to say. Depending on your child's current verbal skills, you can use various phrases to request a break, but try to pick one and use it consistently when first teaching your child to ask for a break. Some examples are:
- "Can we take a break?"
- "I need a break, please."
- "Break, please" or even just
- "Break."
If your child isn't verbal, you can have them give you a card that says, "Break" or "I need a break." When you are first teaching your child to use the card, you may need to do some prompting. Leave the card near the child where he or she can easily reach it during the activity. When you start to notice any precursors to the problem behavior, say, "We can take a break," or "You can ask for a break." Then, gently take the child's hand and physically guide him to give the break card to you. When you take the card, give the child a break immediately.
Of course, you'll want the child to give you the card without help eventually. After you've practiced for a little while physically guiding your child to give you the card, try to back off your prompt. You might just guide your child's hand to the picture, and then let him hand it to you. After he can do this, you might just point to the card. Eventually, you'll want to stop doing that too, so that the child can ask for a break totally independently.
This post should not be taken as specific advice for any situation. Please consult a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to help with doing this with your child. If you'd like to learn more about the idea of replacing problem behaviors with communication, please visit Positively Autism's ABA Tutorial.
Here are some links where you can download and print free break cards:
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards1.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards2.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards3.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards4.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards5.pdf
Of course, you'll want the child to give you the card without help eventually. After you've practiced for a little while physically guiding your child to give you the card, try to back off your prompt. You might just guide your child's hand to the picture, and then let him hand it to you. After he can do this, you might just point to the card. Eventually, you'll want to stop doing that too, so that the child can ask for a break totally independently.
This post should not be taken as specific advice for any situation. Please consult a Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) to help with doing this with your child. If you'd like to learn more about the idea of replacing problem behaviors with communication, please visit Positively Autism's ABA Tutorial.
Here are some links where you can download and print free break cards:
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards1.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards2.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards3.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards4.pdf
http://www.positivelyautism.com/downloads/BreakCards5.pdf