To people with autism the world might be somewhat confusing. Impairments in theory of mind might make it difficult to
understand other people, impairments in central logic might make it difficult to understand objects and events in context
and apply meaning to them. Therefore seemingly useless or non-functional objects or interests might have specific
significance to some people with autism whereas some more generally accepted interest might be inadequate in meaning.
There is great distinctness in autism for example the areas which have little importance in meaning or significance maybe
topics of interest to people with autism. There are common obsessions like mechanisms (such as moving parts) or
numerical areas (such as bus routes or timetables). These are areas which avoid the difficulties which people with autism
experience (social interaction and understanding, the need for communication) and concentrate on their skills (rote
memory, spatial awareness etc.)
Whatever the source of interest or the area of routine they serve vital roles to people with autism. More than for most
people, for those with autism there is a need for security and to understand the world. This is best achieved through
familiar and comfortable objects and activities. When something has specific meaning it is both a comfort and an
expression of personal identity. It may also be escape from a world which puts too many pressures and demands on the
individual just through normal daily events. Simple social interaction can be very tiring and cognitively draining for people
with autism. It is perhaps inevitable that when these obsessions and rituals are disrupted the response may be likely
extreme and excessive, especially where there is no clearly understood reason for the interruption.
There are various stereotypical behaviors which are commonly seen among people with autism. Some of the most known
are ‘body-rocking’, hand/limb ‘flapping’, ‘head-banging’ and ‘spinning’. These might be engaged in at various times:
when agitated, when aroused or active, when happy, when excited, when angry and even when simply comfortable and
relaxed. Where these behaviors are a problem (for example ‘self-injurious behavior’) the reason for their presence must
be carefully considered. These behaviors can be simply automatic, they can be learned and copied, they can be
exaggerations of sporadic habits which nearly everyone has (foot-tapping for example), mostly they express or produce a
stimulating feeling or sensation.
Rhythmical motions are good ways of imposing order and control on one’s self and the environment and this order is
something most people with autism seem to both desire and need. There is a common incidence of interest in spinning
around and in watching spinning objects, the dizziness spinning evoke may be enjoyable, as may be the elimination of
other information.
Challenging Behavior and Tantrums
Unfortunately for individuals with autism and their families, ‘tantrums’ and destructive behaviors are common, especially
among children. The term ‘challenging behavior’ is a controversial one, but it is intended to suggest that behaviors present
a challenge to professionals and services. This is supposed to prevent internalizing the cause of the behavior and
‘blaming’ the individual. This is very important in autism, as it is unlikely that any behavior which causes difficulties for
families and professionals is intended maliciously or vindictively. There is virtually always some other, unidentified, cause
which provokes challenging behavior. It is worth noting that in most cases (although not all) individuals do not enjoy
‘being challenging’. Unfortunately it would appear that the majority of cases of ‘challenging’ behaviors occur by children
in the presence of their families. If such behavior is a challenge for professionals then it can have a debilitating impact on
parents and siblings. Therefore it’s very important that behaviors are dealt with in way which allows both the secure
functioning of the family, and the opportunity for the individual to develop skills and communicate effectively.
Tantrums are one of the most common problems in young children with autism. They may appear to go into a state of
rage, panic, anxiety or fear for no reason at all. Tantrums are normal behavior for most children and there is no reason
why children with autism should by-pass this stage of development. The problem seems to be that it is more difficult for
parents to prevent ‘tantrums’ in children with autism, the child seems inconsolable during the ‘tantrum’, the episode
might last a long time, and the reconciliation that typically accompanies the end of the ‘tantrum’ rarely occurs.
Tantrums are just one example of challenging behavior. Similar episodes of panic, anxiety, rage or even aggression might
be seen all through childhood, adolescence and even adulthood. This might involve screaming, crying, resisting contact
with others, or pushing others away. On the other hand it might be much less obvious, such as refusing to respond to
interaction (especially in learning settings where this might have a destructive effect), using others as objects and refusing
to comply with daily activities. These behaviors are not necessarily ‘challenging’ but in some cases they might cause
disruption (for example to a classroom engaged in a lesson, or a family outing or event).
What is the Cause?
As with such behavior in all children there may be any number of causes. There might be underlying reasons (such as
feeling upset, anxious or angry) and immediate triggers (such as being told to do something). In autism however, there is
also a specific pattern of behavior and of social interaction. Understanding that can help us explain some ‘challenging’
behaviors.
People with autism often rely on ritual and structure. Structure is a method that helps define the world in terms of
constant rules and explanations and that helps the person function most effectively. Most children with autism find their
own methods of imposing structure and maintaining consistency. They need this structure because the world is
confusing. Other people are complex and almost impossible to understand. The information they receive through their
senses might be overwhelming and hard to bring together into a purposeful whole, and there is likely to be an additional
learning disability that makes it hard to apply cognitive skills to all these areas at once.
Therefore when some form of structure or routine is disrupted the world becomes confusing and overwhelming again.
This disruption of structure might be obvious (having a collection of objects disturbed, being made to go a different way
to school, getting up at an unusual hour) or it might be hidden (subtle changes in the environment which the child is used
to for example). Some of these triggers might be out of the control of the individual or his or her family members. Some
might be avoidable. Others might be necessary events, which can be slowly introduced so as to limit improper reactions.
It is important to remember that ‘tantrums’ and similar behaviors are not rejections. They are not emotional
blackmail or warfare aimed at those close to the individual. They are the natural reactions to various stimuli.
Natural if you have autism that is. Disruption of structure is only one trigger of such behavior.
Communicative Needs
In more general terms one of the most significant of ‘challenging behavior’ is caused by communicative need. For people
with profound difficulties in understanding others and in communicating with them it is hardly surprising for frustration,
anger and anxiety to build up. It is also quite likely that ‘challenging behaviors’ will directly serve as a form of
communication. Natural ‘tantrums’, for example in response to changes in routine or requests to do something the
individual does not want to do, may well be reinforced by the other people involved. For many professionals and parents
it might be easier to let the child ‘have their own’ way rather then help them to develop other means of communicating.
In this way the child will learn that ‘challenging behavior’ may be the most effective and immediate way of bringing about
a desired response from others. It is perhaps inevitable that this will be the case in home environments where parents do
not have the time, resources or knowledge to deal with this behavior more constructively.
This might also be the case in educational settings where there is a compromise between offering support for the
individual with autism and ensuring that any ‘challenging behavior’ is not disruptive to other students. This is where
support is needed both in the form of direct interventions related to the behaviors, and in advising and helping parents
manage episodes in ways which can be applied at home. It is important to intervene as early as possible so that behaviors
are not reinforced and so that other means of expression and communication are open to children with autism.
Interventions
In summary, it is important to recognize two major extent of ‘challenging behavior’. These include recognizing that there
are experiences and difficulties specific to individuals with autism that might trigger or cause these behaviors. These
include problems with understanding themselves, the world around them (especially their social environment) and their
relationship with it. They might have cognitive difficulty in processing and applying meaning to the information they are
given. They might need rigid structure in order to function comfortably. They might not understand or require the typical
social interactions and comforting of other children (such as being hugged when crying). These difficulties can be
improved slowly through education and other interventions, but basic differences must be respected and effort can be
made to manage the environment so that the individual is more comfortable (allowing some structure, avoiding distracting
information when engaging in tasks, allowing personal space where necessary).
The second major area is where ‘challenging behavior’ serves a communicative function. In this case the function of the
behavior must first be identified before teaching and developing other means of communicating. Interventions looks at
methods of providing support and mediation for people with autism in order to help them overcome any difficulties they
might experience as a result of their autism, and so that they can make the most of the skills and characteristics they do
have. This is divided into four areas: Educational, Behavioral, Drug and other interventions. Other Interventions include
those which may be seen as behavioral or educational in terms of content, and those which are more controversial such
as (chelation therapy). Discussion of these interventions is based on the characteristics they improve and the
psychological and neurological theory which helps explain them.
Interventions can be the most effective when it involves the learning of new skills or abilities.
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Children with autism have a broad area of behavior impairments and apparently many of
these behaviors serve no useful purpose. The behaviors seem to relate to the constant rituals
in their activities. They exhibit repetitive and compulsive behaviors which are achieved daily
in terms of their nature or intensity. These are the extensive areas, which appear to have a
specific relation to autism. In addition to this oddity various other elements of behavior
couple with basic cognitive process.
Repeated evidence offers descriptions of the behaviors common to autism. One of the most
crucial observations is the need for certain rituals and events. These seem to coexist with
peculiar obsessions. As well as this need for ‘obsession and ritual’ there is often a high level
of repetition of activities, mostly in communication or brief motor activity (such as hand-
flapping or head-banging). When rituals and structure is removed from the environment
‘challenging behaviors’ and ‘tantrums’ may be a consequence. These make education and
these behaviors serve no useful purpose. The behaviors seem to relate to the constant rituals
in their activities. They exhibit repetitive and compulsive behaviors which are achieved daily
in terms of their nature or intensity. These are the extensive areas, which appear to have a
specific relation to autism. In addition to this oddity various other elements of behavior
couple with basic cognitive process.
Repeated evidence offers descriptions of the behaviors common to autism. One of the most
crucial observations is the need for certain rituals and events. These seem to coexist with
peculiar obsessions. As well as this need for ‘obsession and ritual’ there is often a high level
of repetition of activities, mostly in communication or brief motor activity (such as hand-
flapping or head-banging). When rituals and structure is removed from the environment
‘challenging behaviors’ and ‘tantrums’ may be a consequence. These make education and
| ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Copyright © 2004 Bright Tots® Inc. - Educational Toys & Resource Guide to Child Development - All rights reserved. ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ |
| Autistc Behaviors |
might be ‘obsessed’ with certain figures, or with collecting particular objects, with water,
with memorizing bus time tables or travel destinations. These are all fairly typical
‘obsessions’ but where they differ is in the degree to which the obsession consumes the
individual, the control they have over the obsession, and the non-functional nature of the
particular interest.
Obsessive tendencies and restricted interests are not limited to a specific area they can be
seen in most of everyday life, from the arrangement of furniture to times at which dinner is
served or people go to bed. People with autism may have many routines which seem
bizarre to their peers or family and will find it hard to cope when these routines are
disturbed. It is important to recognize the importance of these behaviors and the role they
play in the everyday lives of people with autism. Routine is a means by which they
understand and feel safe within our environment. It makes the world reliable and predictable.
Stereotyped Behavior
with memorizing bus time tables or travel destinations. These are all fairly typical
‘obsessions’ but where they differ is in the degree to which the obsession consumes the
individual, the control they have over the obsession, and the non-functional nature of the
particular interest.
Obsessive tendencies and restricted interests are not limited to a specific area they can be
seen in most of everyday life, from the arrangement of furniture to times at which dinner is
served or people go to bed. People with autism may have many routines which seem
bizarre to their peers or family and will find it hard to cope when these routines are
disturbed. It is important to recognize the importance of these behaviors and the role they
play in the everyday lives of people with autism. Routine is a means by which they
understand and feel safe within our environment. It makes the world reliable and predictable.
Stereotyped Behavior
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daily living very difficult and are one of the major causes of stress for individuals with autism and their families.
In addition many individuals demonstrate ‘self-injurious behaviors’ (such as head-banging and self-picking) in response to
a need for communication, frustration, raised endorphin levels and many other reasons. It is vital that the reasons for
behaviors are understood, especially if the behavior has a damaging effect on the individual or those around him or her.
There are methods of managing the behavior and interventions (such as time-out), but it is first necessary to understand
the behaviors common in autism and the way they are presented and what might be the underlying causes.
Obsession and Ritual
According to the diagnostic criteria for autism repetitive and stereotyped behavior, demonstrating restricted interests and
activities, is a basic expression of the condition. Children with autism may seem to be puzzling obsessed with some non-
functional object or part of a toy and may become very disturbed when it is taken away from them. The strangest part of
this behavior may be that the object or toy is not used for any specific function or purpose. Other people with autism
In addition many individuals demonstrate ‘self-injurious behaviors’ (such as head-banging and self-picking) in response to
a need for communication, frustration, raised endorphin levels and many other reasons. It is vital that the reasons for
behaviors are understood, especially if the behavior has a damaging effect on the individual or those around him or her.
There are methods of managing the behavior and interventions (such as time-out), but it is first necessary to understand
the behaviors common in autism and the way they are presented and what might be the underlying causes.
Obsession and Ritual
According to the diagnostic criteria for autism repetitive and stereotyped behavior, demonstrating restricted interests and
activities, is a basic expression of the condition. Children with autism may seem to be puzzling obsessed with some non-
functional object or part of a toy and may become very disturbed when it is taken away from them. The strangest part of
this behavior may be that the object or toy is not used for any specific function or purpose. Other people with autism
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| Autistic Behaviors |