Defining Expectations
Establishing rules and discipline are a challenge for any parent. So keep your
behavior plan simple and work on one challenge at a time. And as your child meets
one behavioral goal, he or she can strive for the next one.
Here are some pointers.
Use Rewards and Consequences
Work within a system that includes rewards (positive reinforcement)
for good behavior and natural consequences for bad behavior. Natural
consequences are punishments that are directly related to the behavior. For example,
if your child is throwing food, you would take away the plate.
But not every kid responds to natural consequences, so you might have to match
the consequence to your child's values. For instance, a child with autism
who likes to be alone might consider a traditional "time out" rewarding — instead,
take away a favorite toy or video game for a period of time.
After correcting your child for doing something wrong, offer a substitute
behavior. So if your child is talking too loudly or hitting you to get your
attention, work on replacing that with an appropriate behavior such as saying or signaling
"help me" or getting your attention in appropriate ways, such as tapping your shoulder.
Active ignoring is a good consequence for misbehavior meant to get
your attention. This means not rewarding bad behavior with your attention (even if
it's negative attention, like scolding or yelling).
Use Clear and Simple Messages
Communicate your expectations to your child in a simple way. For kids with special
needs, this may require more than just telling them. You may need to use pictures,
role playing, or gestures to be sure your child knows what he or she is working toward.
Keep verbal and visual language simple, clear, and consistent. Explain as simply
as possible what behaviors you want to see. Consistency is key, so make sure that
grandparents, babysitters, siblings, and teachers are all on board with your messages.
Offer Praise
Encourage accomplishment by reminding your child about what he or she can earn
for meeting the goals you've set, whether it's getting stickers, screen time, or listening
to a favorite song. And be sure to praise and reward your child for effort as well
as success. So a child who refuses to poop in the toilet may be rewarded for using
a potty near the toilet.
Another strategy: practice "time-in" — when you catch your child doing something
right, praise him or her for it. In certain cases, time-in can be more effective than
punishment, because kids naturally want to please their parents. By getting credit
for doing something right, they'll likely want to do it again.
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Establish a Routine
Children with certain conditions, like autism and ADHD
(attention deficit hyperactivity disorder), respond particularly well to discipline
that's based on knowing exactly what will happen next. So try to stick to the same
routine every day. For example: If your child tends to melt down in the afternoon
after school, set a schedule for free time. Maybe he or she needs to have a snack
first and then do homework before playtime.
Charts can be helpful. If your child is non-verbal or pre-verbal, draw pictures
or use stickers to indicate what comes next. Set a schedule that's realistic and encourage
input from your child where appropriate.
Believe in Your Child
If, after taking his first few steps, your little one kept falling down, would
you get him some crutches or a wheelchair? No. So don't do the same with a child with
special needs. Maybe your child can't put on his or her shoes the first time, or 10th
time, but keeps trying. Encourage that!
When you believe your child can do something, you empower him or her to reach that
goal. The same is true for behavior. For example, if your child is too aggressive
when playing with other kids, don't stop the play altogether. Instead, work with your
child to limit the physicality of the play. You may want to plan for non-physical
activities during play dates, like arts and crafts projects. Use discipline where
necessary in the form of time-outs, enforced turn-taking, and rules like "no touching"
— and provide rewards when your wishes are met.
Whatever you do, don't give up on your child when the going gets tough. Bad behavior
that's ignored in the early years can become unbearable, even dangerous, in the teen
years and adulthood. Be patient and take the time to work with your child to help
reach his or her best potential. Your vote of confidence is sometimes all your child
needs to succeed.
Have Confidence in Your Abilities
Discipline is an exhausting undertaking. There will be good days when you're amazed
by your child's progress, bad days when it seems like all your hard work was forgotten,
and plateaus where it seems like further progress is impossible. But remember this:
Behavior management is a challenge for all parents, even those of kids who are typically
developing. So don't give up!
If you set an expectation in line with your child's abilities, and you believe
he or she can accomplish it, odds are it will happen. If your efforts don't result
in changes, talk to your child’s doctor, therapist, or behavior specialist to
help reach your goals. He or she can work with you to develop a behavior plan that's
tailored to your child's special needs.
Date reviewed: September 2015