Should Children With Autism Be Punished by Hitting - For Their Misbehavior?

Children who have autism have a behaviorI often wonder, if we as adults, have a power
problem. It can be frustrating and you can easilystruggle for the child with autism for them to
lose your temper or not think clearly when youfollow our instructions? This could stem back to
want to discipline him or her. The question is,your own childhood because no one listened to
should you hit your child for the misbehavior thatyou at that age.
he or she knows that is is not acceptable andIs hitting your child going to reinforce your child
understands, though there is autism present?who is misbehaving? I am a firm believer in many
It is easy to lash out at your child by hitting thehugs, kisses, praising and complimenting children.
individual, for their misbehavior. The first thing youPositive reinforcement, builds self-esteem, in
as a parent(s), caregiver(s) need to consider,is, letaddition, to communicating with your child, by
your child know what kind of behavior isplaying, doing fun tasks together and developing
unacceptable and if they do not obey the rules,new skills and goals.
there will be punishment. Tell your child what kindThis kind of interaction gives your child a strong
of punishment there will be, if the rules are nothandle on confidence in himself or herself and also
followed. This also depends on the age of thetrust in you.
individual and their understanding of theThis builds a strong bond, a relationship between
unacceptable behavior.you and your child, that strengthens the
I find for myself, when dealing with children withrelationship, so your child wants to be obedient to
autism, hitting the child, only makes theyou, because he or she respects you.
misbehavior more compounded. I feel explainingI have been aware, that hitting your child for
and talking to your child, is the best method formisbehaving, sometimes destroys the strong
you and your child to understand whatbond children with autism may have with their
unacceptable behavior is. Of course set boundariesparent(s) or caregiver(s).
for your child.Before hitting your child who has autism, for
As parent(s) or caregiver(s), we must askpunishment, find another way to make your rules
ourselves are we communicating to the individualand directions for obedience to be a positive
with autism in a positive way so that we do notresult.
feel the need to hit the child for misbehaving.