top of page
Cherry Tree

MAKING SENSE OF AUTISM

Blog

Staci Neustadt

Understanding Your Autistic Child: How Parental Expectations Impact Behavior

As loving and caring parents, it's natural to feel upset and frustrated when challenging behaviors arise. We want to help our children and stop these behaviors, but sometimes we're unsure how.


Have you considered that you might unintentionally be triggering the very behaviors you don't want? The solution isn't going to happen during the escalation.


Autistic individuals work incredibly hard every day to remember what they know, use the correct language in different situations, and filter out all the overwhelming stimulation around them.


When someone expects them to perform a task just because they've "done it before," it can be the breaking point.


If you find yourself in these moments with your child, STOP. Try this approach:


  1. Shift Your Mindset: Instead of thinking, "Oh no, another behavior," try to think, "Maybe I pushed too far."

  2. Take a Reverse Time-Out: Give yourself some space to calm down. You might go to your room for a bit to regain composure.

  3. Talk About It: When you're ready, sit down with your child and discuss what happened.

  4. Problem-Solve Together: Approach the situation as a team. Say, "We have a problem, let's fix it together," and explore possible solutions and choices.


Remember, your support and understanding can make a huge difference in your child's life. By adjusting your expectations and responses, you can help create a more positive and supportive environment for your child to thrive.



For more detailed advice from Susan on this subject, click here:)




3 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page