One in every 110 children is autistic, notes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and that number seems to be steadily rising. More and more families are learning to adjust their lifestyles to account for their autism spectrum disorder child, and finding out that regular disciplinary tactics just don't work for their autistic child. If you have an autistic child, know that the best way to discipline him is positively. Although your patience may be tested daily, keep your cool and discipline effectively out of love rather than anger and exasperation.
Step 1
Find the reason for the misbehavior. Autistic children are extremely sensitive to outside stimuli, and what you think is bad behavior may only be a reaction to a sound, sight or other sensation that your child is uncomfortable with, says SuperNanny.com. Remove the stimuli before you consider discipline so that it is no longer a problem for your child, and the behavior can stop.
Step 2
Discipline positively by finding the good in each situation and praising your autistic child for good behavior, even in bad situations. For instance, if you catch your autistic child yelling at someone, tell her that we don't yell, but commend her on a good job using her words. Don't focus on the negative, or your child may being to feel negatively about herself.
Step 3
Choose punishments that fit the crime, warns the Autism Center. Dealing with your autistic child may have you frustrated and upset, but sending him to his room because he wouldn't eat dinner doesn't make sense to him. Instead, focus on natural consequences; he throws a toy at someone, the toy gets taken away. Showing him the consequences can help him understand the sequence of events and why discipline occurs.
Step 4
Avoid using any type of physical punishment with your autistic child. Most children with autism suffer from violent reactions from heightened senses, so what would seem like a gentle swat on the behind from you may feel painful and upsetting to your child.
Step 5
Take a time out if your discipline methods aren't working and you feel yourself becoming angry. A study published in "Child Abuse and Neglect: The International Journal" found that 18.5 percent of autistic children are physically abused. Getting overheated and upset when your autistic child doesn't respond to discipline is never the answer. Take some time away or talk to a support group about other methods that are more successful.
