Ways to Manage Aggression in ASD

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) can develop behaviors that may be problematic in the household. These behaviors include getting upset and moody quickly, which leads to outbursts and tantrums. The reason for this behavior may very well be for the lack of understanding of the child's own emotions and feelings, which is common in ASD. 

So, what do you need to help manage your child's behaviors? To answer this question, a few topics need addressing first before going over the ways in helping your child with ASD develop better behaviors.

Understanding the behaviors associated with ASD

The disciplinary measures that may evoke angry reactions are controllable for a regular child, but a child with ASD requires a different approach because the responses vary. Incorporating discipline is crucial in the making of a good adult later in life. And children with ASD must go through a different method of behavior management, and knowing fully well the various aspects that will make the journey more accessible and more effective, is paramount to having a solid and healthy relationship with your kid.

There are common signs to look for when your child with ASD is developing these behaviors. 

• Flapping the hands aggressively to control emotions
• Screaming
• Self-inflicted pain 
• Biting hands and fingers when nervous
• Angry tantrums
• Avoiding eye contact 

According to your pediatrician, these are common behaviors that children under ASD can portray, and the ways to manage them vary from child to child. 

What can you do? 

There are many effective ways to manage the aggression of your child with ASD. However, please note that sometimes these behaviors couldn't be controlled and are in effect because of the disorder. Patience is key to having a solid relationship with your kid while incorporating the right way of providing discipline and behavioral control. 

Dietary Intervention 

Let's start with the most effort-extensive way of managing autism-related behaviors. Dietary intervention helps children with ASD process food properly. Unfortunately, most children with ASD have difficulty taking food intakes like gluten, soy, and casein. Additionally, they are susceptible to allergic reactions that make them behave differently because they don't understand what they feel and how to communicate it to others. 

Removing these substances is a preventive measure that will help your child cope with internal problems caused by the food. Anything that mitigates the effects of making your child with ASD is aggressive is always an excellent method in managing their behavior, and the things you can control, like the food they eat, is the first thing that you should do. 

Thorough research into allergens and food that produce adverse reactions to the overall physiology of your child is welcome, and asking your pediatrician is recommended. 

Medical Treatment

It would help if you looked into the different medical treatments advised by your pediatrician that cure your child's ASD comorbidity. These conditions can be an influx of allergens, metabolic-related issues, mitochondrial dysfunctions, and many more. With the help of treatment, there is assurance that your child will feel better and thus behave better. 

Applied Behavior Analysis 

According to medical experts, ABA or Applied Behavior Analysis is the best treatment for children with ASD. ABA is a system of therapies based on behaviorist theories that are taught to your children to react appropriately to the emotions they feel. 

ABA is a broad concept, and the simplest way to circumvent the intricacies is the Lovaas method, where a series of discrete trials are conducted as a therapy to help your child cope with the surroundings. It first starts by asking your child to do simple tasks and, in return, gets a reward. This is just one way of helping your child develop a good sense of awareness and improving behavior over time. ABA is an effective therapy that is used in most cases of autism to better the livelihood experienced in the family. 

Other techniques that may help 

Let your child express anger in a safe place.

Everybody needs to express emotions vocally. It's unhealthy to keep these negative emotions internally, and a safe place where nobody gets affected by these feelings is the best way to handle them. 

When Your Child Gets Physical, Talk To Them Truthfully About The Consequences

Being honest can sometimes build a unique connection from simply doing the more medical methods recommended by experts. For example, when your child imposes physical reactions, it's time to speak truthfully about the consequences of these actions. 

Physical Activities Sometimes Help To Ease The Tension

Outdoor activities like sports, sightseeing, and picnics are good ways of diversifying the methods of managing your child's behaviors. In addition, seeing the world outside of the house can be a refresher your kid needs. 

Seek professional help

Asking for a medical expert is required if you can't manage the situation alone anymore. However, it's okay to ask for help, and it shouldn't worry you too much, especially when you have your best intentions to improve your child with ASD behaviors.