Understanding and Managing Challenging Behaviors in Autism
An evidence-based guide to understanding why challenging behaviors occur and how to address them effectively using ABA strategies.
Clinical Perspective from Jennifer Harbour, M.S., BCBA: "In my 20+ years of ABA work, I've learned something key. Challenging behaviors always try to tell us something. My approach comes from my training in Early Childhood Development and Special Education. I focus on the 'why' before the 'what.' When we truly understand a child's needs, we can build strategies that fit them."
Understanding Challenging Behaviors
Challenging behaviors are stressful. The National Institute of Mental Health says they are common. Examples include aggression or breaking things.
See these acts as communication. They are not just "bad behavior." The CDC explains that many autistic people struggle to speak. Behavior is how they ask for help.
Types of Challenging Behaviors
Aggression
Aggression includes hitting, kicking, or biting. It can also involve scratching or pushing. A study in the Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders shares data. It says this affects 25-50% of kids.
Self-Injurious Behavior (SIB)
Self-injury means hurting oneself. This can be head banging, biting, or hair pulling. These acts need immediate help. Professional support ensures safety and finds the cause.
Property Destruction
This includes breaking objects or throwing items. It often happens due to frustration or sensory overload.
Elopement
Elopement means running away or wandering off. It is a major safety concern. Autism Speaks reports that about 50% of autistic children elope. This can be dangerous.
Tantrums and Meltdowns
Tantrums aim to get something. Meltdowns are responses to being overwhelmed. They may look alike but need different 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 a task or situation. Example: A child throws items effectively ending homework time.
2. Attention
The behavior gets attention from others. Example: A child screams because it causes a parent to react.
3. Access to Tangibles
The behavior helps get a desired item. Example: A child hits a sibling to take their toy.
4. Automatic/Sensory
The behavior feels good or calming. Example: A child rocks or flaps hands for sensory input.
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, sensory overwhelm, or difficulty expressing emotions.
Why do autistic children exhibit challenging behaviors?
Challenging behaviors typically serve four main functions: escape/avoidance (avoiding non-preferred tasks), attention-seeking (gaining social interaction), access to tangibles (obtaining desired items), and automatic/sensory reinforcement (self-stimulation).
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
- Teaching replacement behaviors and communication skills
- Modifying the environment to prevent triggers
- Implementing positive reinforcement for appropriate behaviors
- Developing behavior intervention plans (BIP)
Research consistently shows ABA is effective for reducing challenging behaviors.
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 (triggers), the behavior itself, and consequences. The FBA results inform the development of an individualized behavior intervention plan.
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, modifying environments, and reinforcing positive behaviors.
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