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Published in: Autism

TREATMENT IDEAS FOR AGGRESSION IN ASD

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Treatment Ideas for aggression in ASD

TREATMENT IDEAS FOR
AGGRESSION IN ASD

Aggression is a common issue for both children and adults with autism spectrum disorder. This behavioral reaction can be verbal ( screaming, shouting and cursing ) or physical ( hitting, kicking, biting, destroying property, self injury ) Working with the healthcare provider to find the right help for the autistic child combined with parental love and support makes it possible to manage the aggressive behavior caused due to autism. Treatment ideas for aggression in ASD is given below.

WHAT TRIGGERS AGGRESSION IN CHILDREN WITH AUTISM ?

Children with autism maybe aggressive due to these reasons majorly :
• FAILED ATTEMPTS TO COMMUNICATE
• MEDICAL ISSUES
• SENSORY OVERLOAD
• UNABLE TO GET WHAT THEY WANT
• CHANGES IN ROUTINE

TREATMENT IDEAS FOR AGGRESSION IN ASD

Professionals should first rule out any medical issues that could be causing aggression and self-injury as some autistic children simply need to have their pain or illness solved in order to behave more calmly. Otherwise, treating aggression in an autistic child usually involves therapy, medication or both. However every person with autism is different, so what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. It often takes time, trial-and-error and patience to find a treatment which works.

THERAPY APPROACH

• APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS (ABA) :
Applied behavior analysis (ABA) is one of the most common behavioral interventions for children with autism. The core concept of this therapy is that “ all behaviors are performed for some sort of purpose “ The 1st part of this therapy involves the therapist identifying the cause which is causing the aggressive outburst in the autistic child. Next up the therapist puts together a reinforcement strategy. Reinforcers also known as rewards motivates the autistic child to perform a specifically required behavior again. ABA therapy may not be right for every autistic child, but it is a highly researched-backed tool for changing harmful actions being performed by an autistic child. This is also known as one of the treatment ideas for aggression in ASD
• FUNCTIONAL COMMUNICATION TRAINING :
This therapy helps parents to teach their autistic child to request non-verbally in a more appropriate way. Eg: Instead of hitting the caregiver to get what he / she wants, an autistic child can be taught how to request a book by touching a picture of the book done on a visual card Functional communication training often goes hand-in-hand with ABA and reinforcement techniques. This is also known as one of the treatment ideas for aggression in

PHYSICAL EXERCISE

A study by Elliott et al. (1994) and Allison et.al (1991) have noted benefits of aerobic exercise for autistic children and adults. As per this study, jogging or running on a treadmill have demonstrated a reduction in aggressive incidents. Knowing how to deal with this strong feeling called aggression and helping the affected child find the tools to manage it will bring a sense of harmony and relief. Thus always as a treatment measure therapy should be tried first, possibly combined with physical or aerobic exercise regimen. If that’s not helping the autistic child then only medication should be taken as the final step.

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