WHAT'S REALLY BEHIND CHALLENGING BEHAVIOR IN AUTISM?

[auntie]

As parents know, behavior and speech are intertwined. "Use your words," we tell toddlers when they misbehave. Solve your problems by talking it out, not fighting, we say when they get older.



Autism often limits someone's ability to speak or communicate in other ways, causing frustration. So it's assumed by families and professionals alike that speech problems fuel the challenging behaviors often found in youth with autism: hitting oneself or others, tantrums, throwing things, running away, screaming, or being disruptive.



But a new study of youth with autism in psychiatric hospitals calls that "prevailing assumption" into some question. Researchers found that the ability to speak was not a major factor in severe behaviors in those children, teens and young adults. Instead, the biggest influence was the person's ability to cope and adapt.1

more at: iancommunity.org/aic/whats-really-behind-challenging-behavior-autism