Autism Behavioral Solutions

Respected educator Dr. Malcolm shares his advice for de-escalating difficult behaviors among children on the autism spectrum.Every parent with a child on the spectrum has had to deal with behaviors in various forms. Such behaviors differ as no two children with autism are the same. It is important that, as a parent, you become aware

Many parents feel alarmed when they see their baby suddenly arching their back. Web results for “baby arches back autism” often raise concern, but sometimes this movement is simply a normal stage of growth. A newborn might arch their back while stretching or adjusting posture. Other times, a baby throws their head back or arches

Understanding and supporting a child during an autistic meltdown can be challenging for any parent. These intense emotions and behavioral episodes are not “bad behaviors,” but rather an intense, overwhelming response to sensory and emotional overload. During the chaos, many parents ask: “How long will this last?”  Let’s explore what influences the duration of an

This month, Dr. Temple Grandin answers parents’ questions about aggression. What advice would you give to parents if they have a child whose diagnosis is Level 3 autism, and they have given up hope? First of all, I need to find out the age of the individual. I would never put that label on a

Here are some considerations to help our autistic children with pathological demand avoidance. “No” is such a simple word, yet these two letters can stop even the most well-meaning parent in their tracks as they try to navigate the challenging world of parenting. In our ever more hurried society, our children refusing even simple requests

How to deal with a stubborn autistic child is a question many parents find themselves asking when faced with rigid behaviors, emotional outbursts, or intense fixations. Parenting an autistic child comes with deep joys. However, it can also bring moments of frustration, especially when a child seems stuck on a thought, activity, or routine. The

Recognizing that your child may not be reaching a milestone can be terrifying. However, as a parent, one of the main roles you assume is becoming an advocate.  Early detection and intervention should be a crucial support in children’s development, especially for those exhibiting signs of autism or other developmental concerns.  Identifying behavioral red flags

You’re in the grocery store when your child suddenly starts crying, then screaming. They collapse to the floor, unresponsive to your voice or touch. Strangers stare. Your heart races. What does an autism meltdown look like? For many parents, this is it – a response to sensory or emotional overwhelm, not misbehavior. This guide will

Does your child rub their feet together, especially when they’re falling asleep or sitting calmly? For some children, this repetitive movement is soothing. But when it becomes a regular habit, parents may start to wonder—could rubbing feet together be a sign of autism? Let’s explore this behavior through a gentle and supportive lens. We’ll look

Aggression in autistic children, such as hitting, can be a deeply challenging experience for parents and caregivers. It’s crucial to understand that these behaviors often stem from underlying factors rather than a deliberate intent to cause harm. But how do you discipline an autistic child for hitting? Focusing solely on punishment can be counterproductive and

As any parent should do, you pay attention to all of the little details of how your child is developing. You may notice that your child sits on the floor with knees bent and legs splayed outward, and you may even wonder if there is a W-sitting autism connection. W-sitting is actually quite common in

Autism and rumination are closely linked, as many autistic individuals experience repetitive and persistent thoughts. This can involve reanalyzing past events, worrying about future scenarios, or fixating on specific ideas. While rumination may provide comfort or structure, it can also contribute to stress and anxiety, making it important to understand and manage effectively. What is

Have you ever noticed your autistic child having repetitive behaviors, conversations, and thoughts? Have you had a conversation with them, made a decision, and yet the topic keeps coming back up? Most likely, you have experienced perseverance with your child. Perseveration in autism tends to look like persistent behaviors, actions, interests, and more. In some

In the 1980s, a contestant on a US game show called Press Your Luck surprised audiences with an amazing winning streak. The show challenged players to follow a light-up square and press a button to win money while avoiding “whammies.” Using pattern recognition, the contestant broke the record for the most money won. Interestingly, autism

My son, Jeremy, loves chess. He talks about it almost nonstop. It’s one of the very few topics that he can talk about incessantly without a break, along with football and music. His love of chess, while bordering and often crossing into fixation, is an example of monotropism. This focused attention on a smaller number

Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) are two conditions that share similarities but are distinct in their nature. Both are characterized by intense resistance to requests or tasks. However, while PDA is proposed as a subtype of autism spectrum disorder, ODD involves a persistent pattern of defiance, arguing, and refusal to follow

As a parent of a child with autism, perhaps one of the most challenging aspects is when our child becomes angered or throws tantrums. Most of us have seen our children locked in a bout of anger and frustration in which they cannot seem to soothe themselves.   We all have parenting tools for managing autism

“Joey, don’t!” That phrase has come out of my mouth numerous times when my autistic child is throwing toys. He can be angry, upset, or happy, but sometimes, he’ll just pick up his toys and throw them around the house. But what drives him to act this way? Why does his mood rarely matter when

“I’m bored.” That’s something that children and teens say all the time. Boredom can lead to behavioral issues as the child seeks something to occupy their time. However, boredom can cause bigger issues when impacting a person with autism spectrum disorder. Chronic boredom can have major negative effects on the well-being and daily functioning of

“I have to get this right!” It’s a common refrain from people who struggle with perfectionism. It’s also something commonly found among people with autism. Everything has to be a certain way before they can move on from whatever they are doing. Many perfectionists feel compelled to restart tasks if even the slightest thing goes

Autism bossy behavior can confuse parents and caretakers. In some occasions, it can appear that an autistic person is trying to control something or act in a manner that puts them in control over others. However, much of what seems to be bossiness actually reflects deeper struggles with anxiety, difficulty with social interaction, or rigid

Clumsiness and autism often go hand in hand, raising questions such as, “Is clumsiness a sign of autism?” or “What is the connection between autism and clumsiness?” When an autistic child visits my clinic, it is common to see them accidentally knock something off a shelf or get their sweater caught on a door handle.

Have you ever noticed your child engage in repetitive behavior? Do they seem voluntary or involuntary? These repetitive behaviors could be stimming or tics. Both feature repetitive movements, often performed by children with autism. But how do you know whether it’s stimming or a tic? It’s important to understand the difference, as stimming and tics

When we talk about autism spectrum disorder, one of the most interesting aspects often discussed is the concept of a special interest. These are intense passions that bring joy, comfort, and an abundance of order to many autistic individuals. One common linkage is autism and trains. But why do so many autistic people love them?

Pointing is a part of everyday life. Almost everyone uses their fingers to point to something they want or a direction they need to head. It’s an essential part of child development as it helps children learn important nonverbal communication skills. Struggling with finger-pointing gestures can be common for children who may be on the

Understanding what an autistic person experiences during a meltdown reveals much about fostering empathy and providing encouragement. An autistic meltdown is something totally different from temper tantrums or a fit of anger, caused by such factors as sensory overload, stress, or change in routine. Let’s take a detailed look at what an autistic meltdown actually

We’ve all either heard of or seen babies and toddlers sucking their thumbs. It’s a common behavior as a child is growing up. However, thumb-sucking behavior isn’t limited to younger children. Many older children with autism spectrum disorder may suck their thumb as well. This can be a common trait among autistic people. However, as

“Hoarders” is a television show in the United States that looks at people who suffer from hoarding disorder. These people often feel a need to keep possessions and struggle with determining how useful an object is and how to let it go. However, there is a connection between autism and hoarding. Any parent of children

My son, Joey, runs up to his mother and me and often grabs our faces and pulls them close to his. It’s one of many attention-seeking behaviors he demonstrates daily. While sometimes it can happen at times that aren’t great, like our hands are full holding something heavy, it still brings us joy when he

“Joey! Where are your pants?” That refrain is heard in my house nearly every day, uttered by my wife, my oldest son, or myself. My younger son, like many children with autism, likes to take off his clothes. We are usually greeted with a laugh and him running away from us. But for us, it’s