FAQautism

In this, the second half of a discussion about the aggressive behavior of some youngsters with autism, we will take a brief look at possible causes for our friends suddenly and unexpectedly striking out to hit, scratch, pinch, or bite other people.

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Each person is different, of course, but these are some of the triggers for aggressive behavior I documented last week during group music therapy sessions at school and at my music therapy clinic.
1. Overstimulation. Some individuals with autism find it difficult to control their actions if someone is sitting too close, if the noise level is too loud, if lights are too bright, or even if they have too many choices of activities to sort through.
2. Processing Delay. Sometimes a person with autism will strike out when we inadvertently press them to finish a task, make a choice, or answer a question.
3. Frustration. Some of our friends with autism find striking out the most satisfying way to express their frustration in response to any number of factors.
4. Attention of Others. Over time, youngsters learn that everyone in the room looks at them whenever they hit another kid or scream or throw an object. Some kids with autism shy away from public attention, but others crave it.
5. Personal Contact. Although scratching another person isn’t a great way to develop friendships, some of our friends with autism want to interact with other people, but have not learned how to interact in a friendly, appropriate manner.
6. Deep Pressure. One of the most vivid bruises on my arm this week is from an older teen who craves deep pressure on the top of her head. I was helping another student with the guitar and didn’t notice that she had leaned her head over for a “head rub.” She decided the only way to get my attention was to hit my arm with her head.
TIP FOR THE DAY. The tried-and-true axiom stating “All behavior is communication” is always a consideration when we observe impulsive, hurtful behavior. We will take a more in depth look into this principle in a future podcast, but, the focus of this discussion is on the importance of our pinpointing the catalyst of the behavior so we can develop an effective strategy for helping our friend communicate and interact with others in more friendly, less hurtful ways. One of our Toolkits is a step-by-step guide for doing just that. Click on the Toolkit tab on our website http://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 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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