Discipline Strategies for Children With Autism

When a child misbehaves, whether it’s throwing a temper tantrum, hurting another kid, or ignoring instructions, they would usually get some sort of punishment. But, when a child is on the autism spectrum, they likely need a different approach to discipline.

It can be harder to implement traditional discipline techniques when dealing with a child with autism. Depending on where they fall on the spectrum, they might struggle to understand the consequences of their actions. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use any discipline at all. Instead, gentler and consistent strategies may be the key to teaching them how to manage their behavior.

Learn About Your Child’s Needs

It’s important to have a good understanding of your child’s diagnosis. The symptoms of autism can vary greatly. A clear understanding of your child’s needs and abilities will help ensure you’re creating realistic expectations.

A child with autism may not be able to control certain behaviors. Hand flapping, for example, is a self-stimulating behavior that often helps people with autism regulate their emotions. It can be addressed through applied behavior analysis or occupational therapy, but you shouldn’t place your child in time-out because their hand-flapping disrupts an activity.

Always Put Safety First

When necessary, remove your child from the situation—particularly if it’s unsafe (emotionally or physically) for them or another little one. However, take note of how your child responds when you take them out of the situation. If they immediately calm down and start behaving, they might associate misbehaving with being able to leave a situation they don’t like.

Use Positive Discipline

Children with autism respond better to discipline techniques that focus on the positive. Try a visual tool that helps your child associate positive behavior with earning something they want, such as the classic sticker chart.

Pick out stickers of your child’s favorite character, whether it’s Mickey Mouse or an action hero, and give them one sticker for each day that they behave well (you can also assign stickers to chores or other actions). When they reaches a certain number of stickers, they earn the item they want. When your child acts in a positive manner, be sure to give them a lot of praise.

Teach Self-Calming Techniques

All children have meltdowns, but it can be harder to calm a child with autism. Teach them self-calming techniques that can be implemented in these situations (this might work better with an older child than a younger one who can’t quite control their emotions yet).

Teach them to breathe in and out through the nose slowly, close their eyes and imagine something pleasant, like their kitty or their favorite park, and, if you or another trusted adult is around, to hug the adult until the child has settled.

Be Consistent

Staying consistent in discipline techniques is important for all kids, special needs or not. However, those who have trouble learning, such as those with autism, respond positively to structured discipline. It might be a long road to teach your child what to expect, but they will do much better when they can predict the outcome of a situation.

If you have other children who are not on the autism spectrum, they might not understand why they get disciplined differently than their brother or sister. Consistently explain to the child that their sibling isn’t getting a free pass on punishment. But do acknowledge that you’re treating them differently but fairly because they’re different people.

Seek Professional Help

It’s not easy to raise a child with autism (or any child, for that matter!) but their behavior can be effectively managed with positive, gentle techniques. Avoid physical discipline, as it teaches the child that hitting is an appropriate response to a negative situation. Instead, praise your child, help them calm down and redirect them to better situations to keep them on the right behavioral path.