Tips for Managing Challenging Behaviors at Home
Both autism and behavioral disorders can lead to challenging behaviors that may create a lot of stress for parents and the family in general. It is important to identify these behaviors and understand if there are antecedents that trigger them more frequently. ABA focuses heavily on understanding the functions of behaviors—essentially, what purpose these behaviors serve, why the child is engaging in them, and based on that motivation, interventions are created.
Another important aspect of behavior therapy is the use of praise and positive reinforcement, avoiding punishment. For example, if your child follows an instruction or communicates calmly instead of having a tantrum, praising them immediately or giving them a small reward can reinforce that behavior.
Another tool that has proven to be very effective is the use of visual routines. Well-structured routines tend to reduce negative behaviors because the child knows what to expect and what is expected of them. Control and predictability are elements that have proven to be effective in reducing negative behaviors in children.
It is important that in addition to correcting, we model the behaviors we expect from the child. There's no point in scolding a child if we are not showing them the behavior we want to see. We must remember that children do not know many things; they are learning everything for the first time. For example, if your child tends to yell when frustrated, you can teach them to express frustration using words or a gesture instead. Over time, with consistent practice and reinforcement, your child will learn more appropriate ways to handle their emotions. By incorporating these ABA techniques into daily life, you can help your child manage challenging behaviors more effectively, fostering a more peaceful home environment.