STRATEGIES FOR BEHAVIOR
The behaviors students with autism display can be very different and it depends on the severity of the disorder. The reasons for the behaviors are very different and will not work with all individuals with autism.
Here are some of the strategies for behavior that have worked with many students:
- Count and offer reward: If the child is throwing a temper tantrum, count to three with your fingers and if the temper tantrum subsides then offer a reward. This can be as little as a sticker. This takes time for the child to get this. It if different with each child.
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- Walk Away: If the child is safe and you need to walk away because you have become upset, do so provided that child will not hurt themselves.
- Push Away: This is when you have the child in a safe place and they are seeking attention negatively. Do NOT show emotion to the child, as this is what they are looking for. I have seen this take up to two hours for the behavior to subside.
Some other strategies that work within the classroom:
- Sticker Chart
- Traffic Light (This allows the child to monitor their own behavior)
- Check-Ins After Each Period
- Rewards (the amount of times the rewards are given are dependent of the behaviors and the child)
***THE MOST IMPORTANT ASPECT OF BEHAVIOR STRATEGIES IS YOU MUST BE CONSISTENT IN ORDER FOR THEM TO BE SUCCESSFUL***
