Dangerous Actions 1
Some compulsive or repetitive behaviors displayed by individuals with autism are annoying or socially inappropriate. But some behaviors are dangerous or potentially threatening to the safety and well-being of our friends with autism or people in the vicinity.
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HURTFUL AGGRESSION. Some individuals with autism impulsively scratch, bite, hit, kick, pull hair, throw objects at, or grab clothing of anyone within reach. Or they may just strike out at certain people or on certain occasions. Some actions are more indirectly harmful to groups of people. For example, one of my friends obsessively pulls fire alarms, causing serious consequences.
SELF-HARM. Individuals with autism often display self-mutilating behaviors – ranging from obsessive nail biting to repetitive scratching or biting that causes serious injury. And some people swallow items that pose serious health risks – sharp objects, large objects that can cause choking, or non-food items like dirt, dog poop, household cleansers, medications, and other harmful substances. Some individuals with autism escape from seatbelts or from cars, even when they are moving. Others jump off high places, walk into traffic, climb out windows, jump into bodies of water, pick up hot objects, or otherwise put their safety in peril.
In some cases, these unsafe, harmful actions may be purposeful aggression or defiance. In other cases, a person is overwhelmed with sensory stimuli and responds violently or hurtfully toward themselves or people around them. Sometimes our friends with autism who strike out are attempting to communicate their feelings, emotions, or opinions. But we can misinterpret hostile, combative actions, assuming the person is expressing displeasure or dislike. Interestingly, some individuals actually display aggressive behaviors when they are very happy or excited about something. Other circumstances can trigger dangerous, harmful behaviors, so each situation requires careful analysis. But, the most important fact to remember is that the hurtful actions are not necessarily due to disobedience or a bad attitude.
TIP FOR THE DAY: Dangerous actions that pose a threat to our friends with autism or to others need immediate emergency intervention. We will look at some ideas for helping manage violent or potentially harmful behaviors in the next few days.
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 a confidential email at talk@FAQautism.com with your thoughts or challenging situations or innovative solution. 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
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