Search This Blog

Parenting System That Stops Meltdowns & Tantrums Before They Start



What are meltdowns? 
They are overwhelming emotions 
that are quite common in children with 
High-Functioning Autism and Asperger's Syndrome. 

What causes them? 
It can be anything from a very minor
incident to something more traumatic.
 


How long do they last? 
It’s anyone’s guess. They last until the child
is either completely exhausted, or he gains control
of his emotions -- which is not easy for him to do.


From the Office of Mark Hutten, M.A.
Online Parent Support, LLC
Meltdowns are not a pretty sight. They are somewhat like overblown temper tantrums, but unlike tantrums, meltdowns can last anywhere from ten minutes to over an hour. When it starts, the child is totally out-of-control. When it ends, both you and your child are totally exhausted. But...

Don’t breathe a sigh of relief yet. At the least provocation, for the remainder of that day - and sometimes into the next - the meltdown can return in full force.

If your child suffers from High-Functioning Autism (HFA) or Asperger's Syndrome (AS), expect him to experience both minor and major meltdowns over incidents that are part of daily life. He may have a major meltdown over a very small incident, or may experience a minor meltdown over something that is major. There is no way of telling how he is going to react about certain situations. However, there are many ways to help your child learn to control his emotions.

The problem is that most parents of
out-of-control Asperger's children have tried very hard to regain control - but with little or no success.  And it seems the harder the parent tries, the more the child "acts-out."

I often hear the following statement from parents:
"I've tried everything with this child - and nothing works!"  But when they attend my parent-program, they soon discover they have not tried everything, rather they have tried some things.  Learn more about the parent-program.

Now there is an
online version of the parent-program for working parents who are struggling with their Asperger's children, and you will experience the same success as those who attend the program in person.

You will learn
cut-to-the-chase parenting strategies that work immediately rather than months or years down the road.  And I guarantee your success or you get your money back - and you can keep the package I am about to offer you.  This is how confident I am that the online version of the parent-program is going to work for you.

The
online version is called Online Parent Support (OPS).

OPS is a program designed specifically for parents with Asperger's children who experience frequent and unexpected meltdowns. OPS provides the practical and emotional support parents need to change destructive childhood behavior.

The straightforward, step-by-step action plans presented in the curriculum allow parents to take immediate steps toward preventing or intervening in their children’s negative emotions and choices. Parents involved with OPS have the opportunity to experience success at home within the first week.

The curriculum teaches concrete prevention, identification, and intervention strategies for the most destructive of child behaviors. Parents cycle through programming quickly, thus reducing the length of time that (a) effective solutions in parenting are implemented and (b) resultant positive change in their child's behavior is experienced.
 


OPS includes My Aspergers Child eBook (a digital book).  In this book, I share over 150 proven techniques to use with your Asperger's child. If parents don’t have these techniques, all they are left with are conventional parenting techniques. And as they may have discovered, conventional techniques don't work with unconventional children. Learn more about traditional parenting strategies.

Believe it or not, your child does
not need counseling... and you do not need parenting classes. You also do not need - nor would you want - a 250-page manual on how to be a better parent. Who has time for that?  And you do not need to go through another year of pain and misery with an out-of-control Asperger's child and his tantrums, meltdowns, and shutdowns!

However, what you may need is someone who has worked with Asperger's children and frustrated parents for nearly 20 years - and does so for a living - to show you a set of very effective parenting techniques that are guaranteed to work.  That would be me, Mark Hutten, M.A.
 


OPS includes:
  • Live Audio Recordings of the entire parent-program I conduct at Madison County Youth Center
  • Power Point Presentations and Videos shown during the program (plus dozens of additional videos on everything from ADHD to Wilderness Programs)
  • OPS Website -- updated daily with many additional parenting resources
  • OPS Bonus eBooks Site -- I obtain re-distribution rights to other parenting eBooks and offer them FOR FREE to members of OPS; currently there are 44 additional eBooks for download ($318. value)
  • Parent Forum -- where members of OPS support and seek advice from one another; meet and talk (via forum or chat) to married and single parents who are experiencing the same parent-child difficulties as you (currently over 6,000 members)
  • OPS Weekly Newsletter -- provides many additional resources for parenting today's Asperger's children
  • Access to me via phone, email, or OPS Chat Room -- always feel free to contact me as often as needed while you begin to implement your new parenting strategies
  • 100% Money Back Guarantee

Whether you have big problems or small problems, whether you are a single parent, divorced or separated parent, adoptive parent, foster parent, step parent, a traditional two-parent family, or a grandparent raising a grandchild - this material is guaranteed to work for you and your Asperger's child.

Initially, the parents who attend my
parent-program (the same program you’ll get with Online Parent Support)  are at their "wit's end" and describe home-life as “hell's kitchen.”

A few short weeks after they complete the program (which is divided into 4 sessions, 90 minutes each session), the majority of parents report that problems in their homes have
reduced in frequency and severity and are finally manageable. 

You’ll be pleasantly surprised at how simple it is to get started with these non-traditional parenting strategies.  Whenever you have a couple spare moments sitting at your computer, you can see how to bring about positive change in your household...

…change that will
reduce parent-child conflict;

…change that will
reduce your stress-level significantly;

…change that will
increase the likelihood that your Aspergers child will be a success - at home, at school, and in life.

 Order My Aspergers Child eBook 
and Join Online Parent Support 
for a one-time payment of only $19.00.


This program is GUARANTEED to work, 
so there's absolutely NO WAY that you can lose!

*** Instant Download Access ***
 *** No Monthly Fees ***



Here is a summary of what you’ll receive when you join Online Parent Support:
  • My Aspergers Child eBook which contains the text version of the parent-program (read online or print out a hard copy from your printer)
  • Live audio recordings you can listen to online
  • Power Point Presentations and Videos you can view online
  • Full access to OPS Website
  • Full access to Bonus eBooks Site
  • Parent Forum where a community of parents support each other
  • OPS weekly Newsletter
  • On-going & easy access to your own personal parenting-coach via phone, email correspondence, or OPS Chat Room
  • No hassle money-back guarantee

Online Parent Support is all about:
  1. Serving people, specifically parents who are at a point of frustration with their Asperger's child's emotional/behavioral problems and resultant parent-child conflict
  2. Providing an invaluable product that everyone can afford
  3. Providing a parenting-package that continues to grow over time by incorporating additional products and services at no extra cost to existing members

Feel free to contact me.  You'll get no "sales pitch" -- just answers to any questions you may have:

1. What is your toughest parenting challenge currently?
2. What other problems are you experiencing with your child right now?
3. Do you have any questions about
OPS or My Aspergers Child eBook?






Dear Parents, 

I'm not offering a complete cure for ALL behavior problems, and I'm not trying to claim that every single thing that you'll ever need to help your child is in my eBook. But if you are looking for rock solid and proven solutions to a whole bunch of parenting-problems associated with parenting an Asperger's child - especially intense temper tantrums called "meltdowns" - then I'm confident that you can benefit from my help.

For many years now I've been running a very successful parent program, but I wanted to take it a step further.  I wanted to reach out to parents worldwide and help them discover that
there really is light at the end of the tunnel. That’s when I came up with Online Parent Support (OPS).  Since its launch in 2004, OPS has overwhelmed users and success rates have been phenomenal.

If you're one of those parents who has paid a fortune on
must-have parenting eBooks only to find they were full of useless information you could have gotten anywhere, then don’t make the mistake of clicking off this site before you at least call or email me with some specific questions about My Aspergers Child eBook. I guarantee you won't find this information anywhere else.

You could (and may) spend the rest of the afternoon
surfing and "researching" about Asperger's and meltdowns only to find that you've gained a wonderful knowledge of what the problem is without any knowledge of what to do about it.

Let’s face it: You have been force-fed garbage and misinformation that will never put your Asperger's child back on the right track.  All you have really been doing is building-up even more barriers and creating more stress – for you and your family.

I'm tired of reading all the bad advice out there …I’m tired of seeing Asperger's children's lives ruined because their emotions and behavior can’t be controlled …and I’m tired of seeing parents chase their tails in a hopeless cycle of frustration and stress.

I’m giving you the chance to break the cycle of drama and chaos …to bring harmony back into your life …and to keep your child from years of suffering.
And I’m going to put my money where my mouth is... 


If you don’t begin to experience success with these strategies within the first week, then I want you to email me – mbhutten@gmail.com – and say, “I want a refund.”  I will gladly - and immediately - refund 100% of your purchase. No questions asked!

Parenting out-of-control, Asperger's children is tough! If you don't know how, that is...

Here’s a recent email from a new member of Online Parent Support. She and her husband sent this email to their son’s Psychiatrist and Treatment Team:
 


“…coming up with a proper diagnosis and treatment has taken us down many roads, all leading to different therapies, parent-education classes, including Jayne Major's course Breakthrough Parenting Services as well as James Lehman's Total Transformation Program. Through countless hours of research  and phone calls, we have discovered the different levels of support are dependent on insurance, out of pocket expenses, including potentially selling our home and putting him in a residential treatment center with no guarantees of a positive outcome. Needless to say, quality intervention has been hard to find.

Recently we found an on-line course by Mark Hutten called My Aspergers Child. It seems the most helpful and pragmatic approach so far. We wanted to share with you where we are in the course so we are all on the same page in helping our son and family through this crisis.”
 


$19 is really a painless drop in the bucket compared to the money you could lose over time with counseling, parent-education classes, psychiatric evaluations and treatment, residential placement, medication, repairing property damaged during tantrums, etc.

Yes, for the price of dinner at McDonald's, you will have all the crucial information you need to jump full force into getting peace and harmony back in your house again. If you need to justify the expense, skip taking the kids out to eat once this week - and it's paid for.

If you’re going through the same
parent-child conflict that most of the other parents who land on this site are going through, then the problems at home and school are not getting better - they’re steadily getting worse. How much longer are you willing to wait?  I'm guessing that you have already wasted too much time and energy trying to get some real solutions.

I trust that you’ll take a step of faith here and get started with this on-line program immediately.
 


Mark Hutten, M.A.


Order My Aspergers Child eBook 
and Join Online Parent Support 
for a one-time payment of only $19.00



You Can't Lose With My 100%, Ironclad,
"Better-Than-Risk-Free" Money Back Guarantee

I say "better-than-risk-free" because this whole package is yours
to keep even in the unlikely event you decide to ask for a refund.

If for any reason you aren't satisfied with your purchase, 
just contact me within 365 days (that's right - one year!) 
and I'll give you a 100% prompt and courteous refund... 
no questions asked! 

*** Instant Download Access ***
 *** No Monthly Fees ***
 


Mark Hutten, M.A. is a practicing counseling psychologist and parent coach with more than 20 years’ experience. He has worked with hundreds of children and teens with Autism and Asperger's. He presents workshops and runs training courses for parents and professionals who deal with Autism Spectrum Disorders and is a prolific author of articles and ebooks on the subject.

  

Online Parent Support, LLC
2328 N 200 E
Anderson, Indiana
46017-1873

Cell: 765.810.3319
Email: mbhutten@gmail.com 

A brief biography...    Frequently asked questions...


A few emails from parents who have joined Online Parent Support:

We cannot thank you enough for your help with our children and their meltdowns. We bought My Aspergers Child a few years ago when we were at our wits’ end, and it has done wonders for our family. Our oldest (11 years old) has benefited greatly from the techniques you have given to us to avoid and handle meltdowns. -- W.N.

I've already recommended this program to several families. I wish I had access to something like this when my Aspergers child was much younger. It would have saved us a lot of heartache now. You really need to franchise this program to other areas. I would love to attend a seminar, but live too far from you. It would be great to have one in my area. -- K.P.

Just a quick note to say thank you for your program. You have done a really great job on this and it was very affordable. -- A.F.

I just have this calming feeling that we are going to be ok, and I started the techniques from Assignment 1 and already can see a look of astonishment on my daughter’s face. So on that note - Thank you and I am looking forward to what else the program has to offer. Everything you state just in the first 30 odd pages hit the nail on the head! -- J.S.

It works, it really works! You are a God send! -- B.I.

Nothing has helped as much as this common sense advice. We've been to counseling, read books, you name it. We can't even put into words what we owe you. Thank you so much for your help. -- L.A.

Tara and I joined your website for our 6-year-old quite a few months back. Let me say this after having gone through many different programs for difficult children with Autism, your program is very solid. We have told our current counselors and connections about it so that other parents may use your very good resources, too. Our son is to the point now where he no longer has meltdowns. -- T.M.

My husband and I were at the end of our ropes. I prayed for wisdom and God certainly answered my prayer. I have already tried some things on the first week (actually the day I ordered this), and to my amazement - they worked!! I had already been thinking the turmoil was like a drug for my daughter – and I was right. Thank you so much and God Bless you! -- N.H.

Thank You Mark! Our prayers were answered with your program. We are gradually reclaiming control of our family. THANK YOU for bringing love, peace and harmony to our family once and for all this time. Yes there are still those idle complaints here and there -- and the occasional gnashing of teeth. But this time it is our son and not us the parents whom we find gnashing of teeth and complaining. That is a sign of order just as God our Father has intended it to be. THANK YOU! -- M.S.

Thank you so much for being available -- I still can't get over your generosity! It seems amazing to me that I have no one to talk to about these things, and I need to rely on a stranger half way around the world -- but God bless you for your work -- things have really improved since I started this process -- it was so out of control, and overwhelming. -- L.W.

Thanks again Mark. I have been very impressed with your advice and felt I should "pay it forward" as we feel we are getting such extreme value for our money. As such, I sent your web mail address to the doctor who was "trying" to help us. Our autistic son was so extremely disrespectful during our visit with the doctor that he was exasperated at the end and told us there was nothing more he could do and so we should consider kicking him out at 18 and prior to that, send him to a home for "raging" children if his behaviour continued. I also note that our doctor has a Psychology degree. I know he has many cases such as ours, so I sent him your website to pass on to other parents who would benefit from this resource. Kindest regards. -- S.H.

Thanks Mark. After reading some of your ebook, it makes me realize areas we have to work on. Not ONE counselor we've ever seen has ever made more sense -- we've wasted hours in counseling. We are going to take some positive steps forward now. -- E. & P.

There are only a few of you around, Mark. Keep doing what you love - it shows. -- B.K.

This program makes a lot of sense to me. I appreciate the straight talk and not a bunch of lists and personal research. I need help now, and that is what I feel this offers. Thanks again. -- C.R

Today, I spoke to my son's former counselor (whom I was asking for a referral for another counseling, which I did before I found your ebook). I told her, “I think I don't need it for now,” because I found your site. I gave her your site and told her to spread the word about your ebook, since her job deals with parents and kids of similar problems. In a week's time, I've seen a great change. Thanks again for all the help! -- A.D.

When I started the program, I felt so lost and helpless. Mark said things that made me swear he knew my child personally. Everything I read seemed to be about my child. This was how I knew this program was different, and that it could work. -- I.O.

You completely rock!! I am only on Week #1, and I am already seeing a change. I am so impressed with your web site. I keep finding more and more good, helpful stuff! Thank you and your staff so much! May God bless you as you help us, one child at a time. -- C.C.

You have given us so much relief by responding to our questions. Thank you very, very much. Your book is great, and we can't tell you how much we appreciate your dedication to teaching parents how to deal with Aspergers kids and their meltdowns. -- B. & M. 


In reading your book, I realized that there are others out there that have exactly the same problems as I do, and who are making exactly the same mistakes as I was -- and that there are people like yourself that advocate what I believed in. This has helped me gain the strength I needed to tackle the onslaught. And let me tell you that this is exactly what it has been the last 3 weeks. I put the expectations and responsibilities with the earning or loss of privileges on paper, and when I handed it to my son and wanted to discuss it with him – well, almighty hell broke loose! And this continued for a whole week – constant swearing and telling me he will not adhere to it and I will not control him. Although battered and bruised by the emotional experience, I am proud of myself -- I did it! I put my poker face on and stuck to my guns. A week later, although he is still not earning any pocket money (as he refuses to do what I have put on the list), he did come to me and ask what he needed to do to get his computer back. We are now at the un-grounding point (and the 'get the computer back' point) as he has managed to go a whole week without losing his temper and swearing. He still does have the attitude that he will not do what is on the list, but I am watching him carefully -- and have been able to keep the discipline in place for the relevant things I put on the list. -- G.D. 

It has taken longer than necessary for me to complete this program, but I have finally done it! During these past few weeks, my husband and I have been implementing many steps, successfully. Our son, Daniel, has been completing his weekly chores without any complaint. The times that he forgets (or for some reason doesn't complete the chores) we deduct from his allowance. There haven't been any big blow-ups around here, and the few irritable times we've had have been much less stressful. Once school begins in a couple of weeks, we might have some tense times, but I do feel prepared for them now. Also, I re-took the quiz; the first time I scored in the 80s, today I scored a 56. I really do thank you very, very much. This is a great program and I will be re-reading it many times. I hope it's ok to email you from time to time to say hi and fill you in on our progress. Enjoy your summer. -- S.B. 



ONLINE PARENT SUPPORT, LLC

Online Parent Support Staff:  
Mark Hutten, M.A. (Counseling Psychology)
David McLaughlin, MD (Consultant: Psychiatry)
Julie Kennedy, Psy.D. (Consultant: Clinical Psychology)

All rights reserved.
Material from www.MyAspergersChild.com may not be
copied, reproduced, or distributed in any way without consent.

Website by MBH Publishers

Calming Products for Aggravated Kids on the Autism Spectrum

It’s common for kids with high-functioning autism and Asperger's to express themselves physically when they are aggravated and don’t have enough words to say what they want or need. Fortunately, there are some things parents can do to calm such a child. Here are our top 6 products (based on parents' reviews) to calm children on the autism spectrum:





















MORE TOOLS FOR PARENTS:

==> Calming Products for Kids on the Spectrum

How To Be Your ASD Child's Greatest Advocate

"We just got a diagnosis of high-functioning autism for our 6-year-old son. My husband and I are having two very different reactions to this recent news. I'm rather relieved to know that our son doesn't have a more serious problem (relative to other disorders like bipolar, which is what we suspected originally), but my husband views our son's behavior as "rebellion" and "laziness." How can we support our son, but not let his "disorder" be an excuse for behavior problems or lack of effort?"

There is a series of stages that parents go through when they learn that their child has High-Functioning Autism (HFA). Often there is an expected confusion when the child doesn’t seem to conform to “normal” childhood standards. When the diagnosis is made, a sense of grief can occur with the loss of the anticipated “normal child.”

Some parents remain in that stage and can't see the positive aspects their child brings to the family and the world in general. Other parents are relieved to know that there is a name for the "difference" in their child and that this "disorder" has nothing to do with "bad parenting."

Those parents that choose to see what their child can bring to the world will begin to be an advocate for him or her with those who understand less about the condition than they do. When parents become their child's greatest advocate, others can interact with the child in a more informed way -- and the child him/herself will experience life in a positive dimension.





The road to becoming your child’s greatest advocate begins by being as informed as possible about the condition. There are dozens of books, some more scholarly than others, that parents can read to help themselves understand that this disorder was not their fault and to learn patterns of behavior they have come to see in their child but didn’t know what they meant.

The second part about being an advocate is to pay careful attention to him or her. Learn your child's idiosyncrasies and pay attention to the things that work for him or her, along with the things that don’t work. If the child has certain obsessions or compulsions, understand what they are and find out ways to get around them, if needed and if possible.

The most important people to be your child’s advocate with are your family, including your extended family, daycare providers and teachers. They need to be as comfortable with dealing with your child as possible.

Teachers and even daycare providers need to know how best to teach the child and how to handle tantrums or behaviors that can be hard to control. When these types of people understand the child, it often makes the difference between a good education and a poor one for a child that most likely has the potential to do just as well -- or even better -- than his or her peers. 




COMMENTS:

•    Anonymous said... it took me a long time to come around to the realization that my son had aspergers. I thought he was just stubborn and wasn't getting the best people around him. My husband was more concerned that he was autistic than I was. I didn't really know what Aspergers/HFA was. Now that we are on the same page, everything is going along ok. Still dealing with son's behavioral issues but it helps to be on the same page.
•    Anonymous said... It will take time research research research my daughters psychologist encouraged me to do my own and continue to I read up on it daily it is hard I struggle she was diagnosed at 10 it makes it challenging when they are going through puberty.I can see where you would have thought bipolar I initially thought the same thing they react on impulses their is no future in their mind so threatening to take something away diesnt work everything is in the now.One has to emotionally remove themselves from the situation and focus on positive reinforcements instead its not easy but with a good support system psychologists, psychiatrists, family friends support groups their are ways they can learn to cope with their behaviors related to Aspergers
•    Anonymous said... my advice......get counciling for the two of you....you need to be on the same parenting page with this.

----------

•    Anonymous said... My daughter was also diagnosed at 6 and I see it as a gift. She is so special and not generic like the other kids at school. I have great support at her school and they also wouldn't change her for the world. Since finding out I truly understand her and we don't call it a disability it's her special gift. She is very artistic and loves to paint and create so we do a lot of that and it helps her in other aspects of life. What does your son love to do?
•    Anonymous said... My son's doctor gave me the best advice- he said: "You have to wrap your mind around his, don't try to get his mind wrapped around yours."
•    Anonymous said... not easy... though some people say they manage it...
•    Anonymous said... Oh my goodness ... my son was diagnosed at 6 as well. I too was relieved to receive the diagnosis - it was so hard not knowing what was going on in my little man's head. Maybe just remind your husband that your son see's the world so differently from you and he doesn't process emotions the same. You are going to learn so many amazing things from your son ... I promise you ... I feel so blessed to get to see things through my son's eyes each day. Good luck to you all
•    Anonymous said... Once my son was old enough to really understand Aspergers and do some of his own research, I explained it all to him. And I made it very clear this was NEVER to be an excuse to not excel in life. He's 15 and doing great. The issues are there, but we all manage and understand them better and he is treated no different than any of the kids (he is the oldest of 4 boys), with the exception if things like clothes and specific pencils he must use, etc. He is expected to get decent grades, have chores, be responsible. He has his driving permit now and shows more and more awareness with each drive. You will see many changes over the years...just treat him equally with the minor changes he requires to fit HIS world.
•    Anonymous said... Strongly recommend a parenting support group for both of you! Hearing my son's diagnosis (also HFA) was terrifying for me. Hearing other's stories was VERY helpful.
•    Anonymous said... This is very common, my suggestion is that you and your husband will need to learn how to communicate to each other. You will both need to learn how to be very honest and open with feelings, emotions and parenting ideas. You will need to find a parenting style that you both like that suits the child as they need different parenting skills to a normal child. They need better explanations on what and why they were naughty. Look up social stories, they help autistic children to learn most situations.
*  Anonymous said... We're just starting down this road too. We're doing the 'research, research, research' that someone mentioned above, but we're trying to do it together, for example one of us does the dishes while the other one reads out loud from whatever book we're currently working through. That way we can talk about it as we're coming across things that are new to us, like the idea that meltdowns can't be 'disciplined' in the same way that rebellion or disobedience should be. We're in the process of working out what the triggers are for our daughter's meltdowns so that we can be more aware of how she's likely to react to things and therefore try to minimise her reaction, but also so that we can talk to her about the way she felt (after she's calmed down) and begin to give her other more acceptable ways of dealing with sensory and communication problems. I think the key ingredient is going to be time and perseverance, and an openness on our part as parents to see the world from our child's perspective rather than our own. All the best. 

Post your comment below…

Meditations for People on the Autism Spectrum Who Suffer from Chronic Anxiety

Calming Techniques for High-Functioning Autistic Children (ASD Level 1)

"What are some things I can do as a parent of a 6-year-old autistic son (high-functioning) to help him calm down when he has a temper tantrum (which usually results in him hurting himself or destroying something in the house)? He just started the first grade, and his teacher is already having issues with his behavior as well."

In order to understand what calming techniques will work, you will first need to determine what things excite and upset your high-functioning autistic (HFA) son, and have some understanding of the context in which he is throwing a tantrum.

1. Make sure your child knows what the expectations are, and do not confuse the issue with trying to talk to him about things at a time when he is already upset.

2. Try to redirect him to an alternative activity -- something that he enjoys. 

3. If this does not stop the tantrum, tell him to stop. Don't add any extras, just STOP -- calmly and directly.

4. If he still doesn't stop, provide some physical redirection to an area where he can calm down. It can be very effective to call this his SAFE place. It may include a bean-bag chair, where he can sit. But, eliminate any extras in the area, such as toys, or other preferred items. If he doesn't voluntarily go to his SAFE place, physically escort him there.


5. Tell him he must be calm for 5 minutes before he can get up.

This may seem like a overly simple process in order to deal with what may be a challenging behavior. The key is to be consistent, so that he will always know what is coming. If the child is in school, try to provide this program across all environments.

It is amazing how many HFA children will actually learn to go to their SAFE place independently, as a way for them to control themselves. We want them to self-monitor their behavior and show them that we believe they have the ability to calm themselves down.
 

There are no easy and quick fixes to reduce or eliminate severe behavioral problems (e.g., self-injury, aggressiveness, severe tantrums and destructiveness). There may be, however, a few fixes that may not require an incredible amount of time and effort to implement:

1. One possible reason for behavioral problems may be difficulties in receptive language. HFA kids often have poor auditory processing skills. As a result, they often do not understand what people are saying to them (i.e., they hear the words but they do not understand what the words mean). The child’s lack of understanding can lead to confusion and frustration, which can escalate into behavior problems. Visual communication systems can be useful in teaching and in informing kids of what is planned and what is expected of them.

2. Behavioral problems may also be due to difficulties in expressive language. In fact, many researchers feel strongly that the majority of behavioral problems are simply due to poor expressive communication skills. There are numerous communication strategies, such as the Picture Exchange Communication System and Simultaneous Communication (i.e., using speech and sign language at the same time) which can be used to teach expressive communication skills.

3. Food allergies are an often overlooked cause of behavior problems. Some kids may have red ears, red cheeks, or dark circles under their eyes. These are often signs of food allergies. The most common allergens are dairy and wheat products, food preservatives, and food coloring. Some of the symptoms associated with food allergies are headaches, tantrums, feelings of nausea or spaciness, and stomach aches. As a result, the child is less tolerant of others and he/she may be more likely to strike out at others or have a tantrum.

Since many of these kids have poor communication skills, the parent and/or teacher may not be aware that the child is not feeling well. The child should be tested if food allergies are suspected. If the child tests positive for certain foods, then these products should be eliminated from his/her diet.

4. If the child’s behavior is worse at school but not at home, there are many possible reasons, such as a lack of consistency. There are, however, several physical causes that should be considered. Two possible causes, which are seldom considered, are cleaning solvents and florescent classroom lighting. Janitors often use powerful chemicals to clean the classroom. Although the smell may be gone by the next day, the chemical residue may still be in the air and on surfaces. Breathing these chemicals may affect sensitive people. During the day, students often place their hands and face on the tables and floors, and these chemicals can eventually wind up in the child’s mouth and alter brain functioning and behavior. Many parents and teachers wipe the students’ desks with water or a natural cleaning solution prior to class each morning, and they have reported rather remarkable improvements in the students’ behaviors.

Florescent lighting, which is the most common lighting used in classrooms, may also affect behavior. Many adults with autism report that florescent lights bothered them greatly during their school years. In addition, U.C.L.A. researchers observed more repetitive, self-stimulatory behaviors under florescent lighting compared to incandescent lighting. Teachers may want to turn off the florescent lighting in their classroom for a few days to see if there is a decrease in behavioral problems for some or all of the students. During this trial period, the teacher can use natural light from the windows and/or incandescent lights.
 

5. In many instances, a behavior problem is a reaction to a request or demand made by a caregiver/teacher. The child may have learned that he/she can escape or avoid such situations, such as working on a task, by ‘acting up.’ A functional assessment of the child’s behavior (i.e., antecedents, consequences, context of the behavior) may reveal certain relationships between the behavior and the function the behavior serves. If avoidance is the function the behavior serves, the caregiver/teacher should follow through with all requests and demands he/she makes to the child. If the child is able to escape or avoid such situations, even only some of the time, the behavior problem will likely continue.

6. It is also important to consider the child’s level of arousal when formulating a strategy to treat behavioral problems. Sometimes behavioral problems occur when the child is overly excited. This can occur when the child is anxious and/or when there is too much stimulation in the environment. In these cases, treatment should be aimed at calming the child.

Some popular calming techniques include: vigorous exercise (e.g., a stationary bicycle) which would act as a release of their high excitement level, vestibular stimulation (e.g., slow swinging), and deep pressure (e.g., Temple Grandin’s Hug Machine). In some cases, behavioral problems may be due to a low level of arousal such as when the child is passive or bored. Behaviors such as aggression and destructiveness may be exciting, and thus appealing, to some of these kids. If one suspects behavior problems are due to underarousal, the child should be kept busy or active. Vigorous exercise is another good way to increase arousal level.

7. Many families are giving their children safe nutritional supplements, such as Vitamin B6 with magnesium and Di-methyl-glycine (DMG). Nearly half have reported a reduction in behavioral problems as well as improvements in the child’s general well-being. Sometimes powerful drugs are prescribed to autistic kids to treat their behavior. Interestingly, the most commonly prescribed drug for autistic children is Ritalin. A survey conducted by the Autism Research Institute in San Diego revealed that 45% of 2,788 parents felt that Ritalin made their child’s behavior worse and only 20% reported improvement (27% of parents of autistic children felt that Ritalin made no difference).

8. Occasionally a child may exhibit a behavior problem at school but not at home, or vice versa. For example, the parent may have already developed a strategy to stop the behavior at home, but the teacher is unaware of this strategy. It is important that the parent and teacher discuss the child’s behavioral problems since one of them may have already discovered a solution to handle the behavior.

 
Resources for parents of children and teens on the autism spectrum:
 

==> Videos for Parents of Children and Teens with ASD

  
PARENTS' COMMENTS:

•    Anonymous said... A weighted blanket. Or a calm room at school.
•    Anonymous said... At home, we started with a lycra style sensory swing. Then once he sort of brought it down a notch we started sending him to his room (most of our meltdowns were also correlated with bad behavior), in his room we have a heavy comforter, a bean bag, a DVD player with story DVDs and we recently added a lycra sheet on his bed. We set the timer based on his offense and willingness to go to his room, he usually first goes right under his bean bag then he will usually lay on the bean bag with the heavy comforter and watch a story, or read a book. At school, we had to change programs.
•    Anonymous said... change is very difficult for them,does he have a therapy aid at school?
•    Anonymous said... Failing that a tent in the corner of the classroom?
•    Anonymous said... For my son, "tantrums or meltdowns" were usually the result of some anxiety that he didn't know how to handle. Figuring out what the problem was and teaching him to deal with it was helpful but was a process. My son needed to be able to leave the classroom which was very stimulating. Sometimes the hallway or even the OT room. We found that a certain book that played music worked to calm him at home and as he got older he started using it in his own. Sometimes I would Just hold him tight. If you pay close attention you will be able to figure out what works for him. Listen to your gut and remember that no one knows and loves him like you. It was very hard for our family at that age. He is 13 now and things have gotten so much better. There is hope!
•    Anonymous said... Get the best professional help while he is a little boy.
•    Anonymous said... Most meltdowns are a result of anxiety/stress/upsets. Fix the cause (whatis upsetting the child) and the meltdowns will ease off. Significantly.
•    Anonymous said... My 7yr just finished a 10 session program with his OT called the Alert Program - How Does Your Engine Run. It was awesome and he is sooo much better now for it. It helps the kids to recognise how their body is feeling and what types of things help them to get their 'engine' running just right. I can't say enough about it - absolutely amazing!!! My son would yell, throw things, hurt kids, bang and slam furniture/doors etc. We get the occasional growl or stomping feet when he is REALLY worked up, but the majority of the time we can nip it in the bud with what we both learnt at these sessions
•    Anonymous said... My son's teachers allowed him to pick a place in the classroom that he could go to when he felt upset. It seemed like it helped a lot. One year it was under the row of "cubbies" and coat hooks. It was usually only for a few minutes, but seemed to help him. Now that he is a little older they have a resource room between the classrooms and he can sit in there until he calms himself.
•    Anonymous said... Needs a good routine at school, talk to teacher and tell her parts of your routine at home, All about routine and prompts. I always use the clock, when change occur, always a quick 10 minute reminder, AS children love knowing what's set out for them in the day, as you know they don't really like change. Sleep is another important issue. I hope this has helped you.
•    Anonymous said... Prevention.
•    Anonymous said... Rescue Remedy!!!!

Post your comment below…

ASD: Difficulty Identifying and Interpreting Emotional Signals in Others

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that affects an individual's ability to communicate, interact w...