As cited by Athena Care:
Current research indicates that ABA alone may reduce aggressive behaviors in many cases. For example, a 2011 review of 27 studies found that ABA interventions for aggression were successful in reducing a child’s aggression and anxiety. Additionally, a 2012 study recommended that children with autism receive at least 25 hours of ABA therapy sessions per week to see the most benefit.
The most general idea behind using ABA therapy to reduce aggressive outbursts is that the more consistently we use positive reinforcement for healthy and constructive behaviors, and fail to reinforce disruptive or aggressive behaviors, the better children with autism fare physically, mentally, and emotionally.
However, as dedicated ABA therapists who work with kids who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD), we know first-hand that when used intentionally and personalized to our clients, ABA therapy is about far more than reducing or eliminating aggressive behaviors; it’s also about heping children to express themselves and find what brings them joy, which improves quality of daily life and social relationships.
One of the two most common symptoms of ASD is an inability to articulate feelings, especially if children are nonverbal, and heightened sensitivity that leads to elevated reactivity. So, regardless of how angry, aggressive, or even violent a child may seem in the moment, their caregivers, teachers, and other supportive adults must understand this reaction is communicating an unexpressed emotion.
Some of the most common triggers that catalyze aggressive behaviors in children with autism are:
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Remember: Aggressive behaviors are a form of communication. Before addressing the behavior, ask yourself "What is my child trying to tell me?"
So, ABA therapy for aggressive behavior isn’t just about stopping the unwanted or dangerous behaviors; it’s also about carefully assessing an individual client’s “triggers” and then finding ways to reduce them, which often requires educating parents, caregivers, teachers, classmates’ and friends’ parents, and so on.
We ask, “What is this child trying to tell us through the behavior?” Then we identify, “How can we help them meet the need in healthier, less disruptive, and non-harmful ways?” From there, we work on using specific strategies and creative, proactive positive reinforcement tools that help the child see how certain behaviors get them what they want, and have far better results.
ABA therapy utilizes more research-proven strategies and tools than we could ever name in a single blog post. Also, we want to emphasize that personalization of behavioral plans is essential for children to be successful. We always prioritize the strategies most likely to work for each individual child. Those often include some combination of:
The sooner you implement ABA therapy, the better. While ASD doesn’t become worse with age, the brain reinforces negative behaviors and responses the longer they play out without disruption and alternative options.
Here are three common examples of how we would use ABA to reduce or eliminate aggressive behaviors, keeping in mind that every child is different.
One of the most foundational and valuable things ABA does is help to teach emotional regulation to children with ASD and their families. By working with clients to regulate powerful or overwhelming emotions, we improve the chances for success when creating and implementing ABA therapy’s strategies and tools across the board. Not surprisingly, an inability to regulate emotions is as related to aggressive behaviors as the unmet need or inability to express feelings/emotions/experiences.
It can seem like children with ASD constantly throw tantrums. And, sometimes, they are - espeically if their emotional deveopment is more aligned with the toddler age group or when well-meaning adults can’t tell the differnce beteeen a true meltdown (a genuinely unmet need) vs a tantrum (not getting their way) and wind up teaching their child that they’ll always get their way if they tantrum/meltdown to quiet them down.
So, emotional regulation is almost always a foundation of minimizing aggressive behaviors. Once we get to know our clients, we practice a range of emotional regulation skills (breathing, going to a quiet place, identifying non-disruptive soothing tools or activities, etc.) and begin implementing the ones that work best. We also show parents how to work with their children, so ABA therapy translates from our office to their home, schools, and social arenas.
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The sooner ABA therapy begins, the better. Without intervention, the brain continues to reinforce negative behavioral patterns over time.
Your child tends to get the most upset when they need attention and aren’t getting it. They begin screaming, stimming, hitting their own foreheads, or becoming physically aggressive with the person from whom they want the attention.
We learn what the child is capable of communicating (via words, sounds, sign language, PECS deck, etc.).Then we work with them to learn how to communicate that need (which translates to other needs over time). For example, they learn to raise their hand and count deep breaths until the teacher responds. Or, they learn to gently tap someone on the shoulder three times and then clasp their hands in front of them to avoid incessant tapping or more aggressive gestures. If the child is verbal, we teach them to say “excuse me” in a reasonable tone/volume. And so on.
These are the same skills that neurotypical children acquire, but ABA therapy uses the consistent repetition that is often required for kids with ASD to learn the same concepts or behavioral “norms.”
Once children enter the daycare or academic arena, the social realm is challenging to navigate. This is the case for all children in the beginning, but it’s especially true for those with ASD or other neurodivergent diagnoses.
Nobody likes to feel ostracized, teased, or left out. Similarly, nobody likes to have their physical boundaries violated. Inability to communicate or express oneself naturally leads to pent up and overwhelming frustration. Any of these situations can result in aggressive behaviors or responses, and that can are taken very seriously in our current cultural climate. Many children with ASD also have a hard time losing, learning how to share, or taking turns.
ABA therapy is highly effective at improving social skills in individuals with ASD, and that inherently reduces aggressive outbursts or violence - which can often result in immediate suspension or expulsion if the behavior threatens another child. Not surprisingly, role playing is essential for navigating most social challenges, and we teach client families the best and most effective ways to use role playing and other ABA strategies at home to keep moving forward.
The Autism Response Team is owned and operated by board-certified behavioral analysts who are passionate and committed to helping children with autism thrive in their homes, schools, and friend groups.
We use family- and community-inclusive approaches to ensure the greatest chance of success for our clients. As a result, our ABA therapy-centered practices treat aggressive behaviors, transforming the lives of our clients and their families. Contact us to learn more about how we can support your child - and your household.
