Managing Challenging Autism Behaviors

Clinical Perspective from Jennifer Harbour, M.S., BCBA: "In my 20+ years of ABA experience, I've learned that challenging behaviors are always trying to tell us something. My approach—rooted in my background in Early Childhood Development and Special Education—focuses on understanding the 'why' behind behaviors before addressing the 'what.' When we truly understand a child's needs, we can develop strategies that work with their unique profile, not against it."

Understanding Challenging Behaviors

Challenging behaviors are among the most stressful aspects of parenting an autistic child. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, many autistic individuals display behaviors that can be difficult to manage, including aggression, self-injury, and property destruction.

The key to addressing these behaviors lies in understanding them not as "bad behavior" but as communication. As the CDC notes, autistic individuals may have difficulty expressing needs verbally, leading to alternative forms of communication—including challenging behaviors.

Types of Challenging Behaviors

Aggression

Aggression may include hitting, kicking, biting, scratching, pinching, or pushing others. Research in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders indicates that approximately 25-50% of autistic children display aggressive behaviors at some point.

Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)

Self-injurious behaviors include head banging, biting oneself, hair pulling, scratching, or hitting oneself. These behaviors require immediate attention and professional intervention to ensure safety while addressing underlying causes.

Property Destruction

Breaking objects, throwing items, tearing materials, or damaging property can occur during times of frustration or sensory overload.

Elopement

Elopement—running away or wandering off—is a significant safety concern. The Autism Speaks organization reports that approximately 50% of autistic children elope at some point, with potentially dangerous consequences.

Tantrums and Meltdowns

It's important to distinguish between tantrums (goal-oriented behavior to obtain something) and meltdowns (involuntary responses to overwhelming situations). Both may look similar but require different intervention approaches.

The Four Functions of Behavior

Applied Behavior Analysis identifies four primary functions that all behaviors serve. Understanding these functions is essential for developing effective interventions:

1. Escape/Avoidance

The behavior helps the person avoid or escape something non-preferred (tasks, demands, situations). Example: A child throws materials when asked to do homework to avoid the task.

2. Attention

The behavior gains social attention from others (positive or negative). Example: A child screams because it consistently results in parent interaction.

3. Access to Tangibles

The behavior helps obtain a desired item or activity. Example: A child hits their sibling to get a toy the sibling was playing with.

4. Automatic/Sensory

The behavior is self-reinforcing, providing sensory input. Example: A child rocks or flaps hands because it feels good, regardless of social consequences.

The same behavior can serve different functions in different contexts or for different children. A professional functional behavior assessment helps identify the specific function for each individual.

Common Triggers for Challenging Behaviors

Understanding triggers helps prevent challenging behaviors before they occur. Common triggers include:

Sensory overload: Loud environments, bright lights, certain textures. See our sensory issues guide.
Communication frustration: Inability to express needs or wants. Communication support is essential.
Routine disruption: Unexpected changes to expected schedules or activities
Transitions: Moving between activities, especially preferred to non-preferred
Unmet physical needs: Hunger, fatigue, illness, pain
Anxiety: New situations, social demands, uncertainty. See our anxiety guide.
Demand overload: Too many instructions or expectations at once
Boredom: Lack of engaging activities or stimulation

Evidence-Based Intervention Strategies

Functional Behavior Assessment (FBA)

The foundation of effective behavior intervention is a thorough FBA conducted by a qualified BCBA. According to the American Psychological Association, FBAs are considered best practice for addressing challenging behaviors. The FBA process includes:

Interviews with parents, teachers, and caregivers
Direct observation across multiple settings
ABC data collection (Antecedent-Behavior-Consequence)
Analysis to identify patterns and functions
Development of hypotheses about behavior function

Positive Behavior Support

Evidence-based positive behavior support focuses on:

Antecedent modifications: Changing the environment to prevent triggers
Teaching replacement behaviors: Providing appropriate ways to meet the same need
Functional communication training: Teaching communication skills to replace challenging behaviors
Reinforcement strategies: Increasing positive behaviors through rewards
Environmental accommodations: Creating sensory-friendly spaces and predictable routines

Teaching Replacement Behaviors

One of the most effective strategies is teaching appropriate alternatives that serve the same function:

For escape: Teach appropriate ways to request breaks or help
For attention: Teach appropriate ways to gain attention (tapping shoulder, saying "excuse me")
For tangibles: Teach appropriate requesting skills
For sensory: Provide appropriate sensory alternatives (fidget tools, movement breaks)

Visual Supports

Visual supports help prevent challenging behaviors by increasing predictability and understanding:

Visual schedules for daily routines
First-then boards for transitions
Visual timers for waiting
Social stories for new situations
Emotion identification charts

De-Escalation Strategies

When challenging behaviors occur, safety is the priority. De-escalation strategies include:

Stay calm: Your emotional state affects the child's regulation
Reduce demands: This isn't "giving in"—it's preventing escalation
Minimize verbal input: Too many words can increase overwhelm
Create safety: Remove dangerous objects, clear the area
Provide space: Some children need physical distance to calm
Offer sensory tools: Weighted blanket, noise-canceling headphones
Wait: Allow time for the nervous system to regulate

What NOT to Do

Research consistently shows these approaches are ineffective or harmful:

Physical punishment: Increases anxiety, damages trust, doesn't teach alternatives
Yelling or threatening: Escalates the situation, adds sensory input
Reasoning during crisis: The child's reasoning brain isn't accessible during dysregulation
Public shaming: Damages self-esteem, doesn't address underlying causes
Ignoring safety concerns: Self-injury and elopement require immediate response
One-size-fits-all approaches: Every child's needs are different

Creating a Crisis Plan

Every family dealing with significant challenging behaviors should have a crisis plan that includes:

Clear definitions of what constitutes a crisis vs. manageable behavior
Step-by-step de-escalation procedures
Safety protocols for protecting the child and others
Emergency contact information
When and how to seek emergency help
Post-crisis debriefing and support strategies

Frequently Asked Questions

What are challenging behaviors in autism?

Challenging behaviors include aggression (hitting, biting, kicking), self-injurious behaviors (head banging, scratching), property destruction, elopement (running away), tantrums, and non-compliance. These behaviors often serve a communication function and may indicate unmet needs or difficulty expressing emotions.

Why do autistic children exhibit challenging behaviors?

Challenging behaviors typically serve four main functions: escape/avoidance, attention-seeking, access to tangibles, and automatic/sensory reinforcement. Understanding the function helps develop effective intervention strategies. Behaviors are often communication attempts when verbal expression is difficult.

How can ABA therapy help with challenging behaviors?

ABA therapy addresses challenging behaviors through functional behavior assessments (FBA) to identify triggers and functions, teaching replacement behaviors and communication skills, modifying the environment to prevent triggers, implementing positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors, and developing behavior intervention plans.

What is a functional behavior assessment (FBA)?

A functional behavior assessment is a systematic process used by BCBAs to understand why challenging behaviors occur. It involves interviewing caregivers, direct observation, data collection, and analysis to identify antecedents, the behavior itself, and consequences.

Should I use punishment to address challenging behaviors?

Research and best practices in ABA recommend focusing on positive reinforcement strategies rather than punishment. Punishment often leads to increased anxiety, damaged relationships, and may cause new problem behaviors to emerge. Evidence-based approaches emphasize teaching replacement skills and reinforcing positive behaviors.

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Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviors in Autism