Stepping Out know all about Challenging Behaviour & Autism. Over the years, we have had a variety of Autistic service users receive support via our semi independent living projects. We offer specific targeted Autism care in Hertfordshire, North London & surrounding areas, as well as support to those diagnosed under the Autistic Spectrum Disorder and or who have severe traits of Asperger’s Syndrome.
Individuals with Autism who display what are referred to as ‘challenging behaviours’, are known to be among the most vulnerable in society. We continue to see families struggling daily with the enormous demands of managing such behaviours in the home – often to breaking point. We see staff in schools and care services struggling to manage, and vulnerable individuals frequently excluded. How can we combat this?
Despite growing evidence of harm certain medicines incur, we continue to see young people prescribed powerful drugs to mask the effects of pain, their personality or their attempts to communicate. We see restrictive physical interventions, punitive sanctions and the physical and emotional abuse of people who are already suffering huge levels of stress and anxiety. Additionally they may be placed far away from their homes- often at a high financial cost and for very long periods of time. But does it have to be like this?
If we can ascertain the route of challenging behaviour, we can earn to overcome it. Instead of masking it with medicine or punishment, we can apply constructive measures to produce positive outcomes for carers and the Autistic person.
Previously, we publish an article titled, ‘7 ways to communicate with an Autistic young person’. We feel that the points we outlined here are a great foundation to overcoming challenging behaviour in Autistic individuals.
As care providers, we feel the obligation to inform others that Autism can be a complex issue which affects each person in a unique way. Careful assessment of each individual makes it easier to tailor an action plan of support to minimize challenging behaviour.
So our number one tip for Autism Care is to ever forget that you are dealing with an individual with feelings, emotions, wants and needs. Too often we see Autistic people seen as a disorder rather than a person.
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