Autistic children and teenagers sometimes express their emotions through aggressive behaviour. Sometimes the aggressive behaviour is directed towards objects or other people. For example, they might hit or kick people or throw objects. Sometimes the aggressive behaviour is directed towards themselves. An example is head-banging.
When autistic children and teenagers feel completely overwhelmed, they can have meltdowns. Meltdowns are a sign of distress. Children and teenagers lose control of their behaviour and find it very hard to calm themselves. Limit what you say During an aggressive outburst, your child will be feeling very stressed.
It can help to use short phrases or even just a couple of words. You might also need to get other people to move somewhere safe. Consider visual cues Visual cues can help in these situations. For example, you might have a picture of a quiet place in your home that your child can go to.
Physical restraint can be dangerous to both you and your child. Stay calm When your autistic child is distressed, stay calm and use a calm tone of voice. Pause demands or expectations Pause any activities or tasks that might be making your child feel stressed. Avoid giving more instructions or requests. Also avoid talking about feelings. You can come back to the activity or task when your child is feeling calm again. Change the environment If your child is hurting themselves because their environment is overwhelming, think about what you can change so your child feels more comfortable.
For example, you might be able to reduce noise by moving your child to a different room or giving them noise-cancelling headphones. Remove harmful items and provide alternatives Remove items that are causing your child harm, and give them a safer alternative.
