A youngster with autism randomly shouts out when in church, libraries, or other quiet places. Another gets very agitated when standing in line at an amusement park, and begins pulling hair of anyone within arms reach. A young adult suddenly runs into the parking lot when she spots an exit door in a mall. What can we do to put a stop to inappropriate or disruptive behavior in public places?

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1. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE? Some disruptive behaviors are random events that are just natural by products of autism. But others are attempts to communicate dissatisfaction, boredom, or frustration. For example, the young lady who bolts out the exit door at the mall may be responding to claustrophobic feelings. A person with autism who cannot tolerate standing in lines is most likely expressing impatience. The youngster who shouts in quiet spaces may be seeking attention, or he may simply be curious about the quietness that surrounds him. His shouting could also result from boredom.

2. WHAT IS THE TRIGGER? My friend, Lisa Jo Rudy, writes for http://autism.about.com/ In her blog post, Autism in the Real World, posted on August 14, 2008, she addressed public behavior issues. Among other things, Lisa encouraged parents to take their child’s preferences into consideration, and to, when possible, avoid situations that trigger outbursts and inappropriate behaviors. She wrote, “If your son or daughter actively dislikes or is upset by movies, malls or libraries - why force them to come along? Of course, you may need to pop in and out quickly to run an errand, but surely there’s no need to involve your child with autism in a two-hour shopping expedition when the outcome is almost certain to be problematic for you, your child, and the people around you.”

3. WHAT CAN BE DONE? The answer to this question could fill a book. Over the next weeks, we will share some strategies based on questions submitted by frazzled parents and on real-life experiences. We hope you will join the conversation, sharing your questions and your experiences – both successful and unsuccessful.. Just click on the comments button or send an e-mail to talk@FAQautism.com.

NOTE TO READERS AND LISTENERS: I am Cathy Knoll, a board certified music therapist and long-time friend of many folks with autism. At FAQautism.com we are committed to providing free, practical, everyday tips for making life better for people with autism. Feel free to send me an email with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. Send email to talk@FAQautism.com And don’t forget to check out our website for a wealth of ideas and a glimpse into the world of autism. http://FAQautism.com