What should parents do when autistic children scream?

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Doctor Dang Thi Thanh Tung - High-tech Unit for Treatment of Cerebral Palsy and Autism - Vinmec Times City International Hospital.
Yelling often occurs when children with autism don't like it, don't like it or express a desire for attention, telling us a certain message. Evidence-based studies show that children with autism themselves cannot control this act of screaming. Here are some suggestions for handling when autistic children scream or tantrum.

1. Do parents understand about autism in children?

Autism is not a disease, so there is no specific medicine to cure it. Autism is a syndrome. Worryingly, more and more children are suffering from this syndrome.
Currently, the specific cause of autism has not been found, scientists and studies with evidence suggest a number of factors can easily lead to this syndrome such as: Genetics; the brain has an abnormal structure; due to the impact of the environment, toxic chemicals that cause genetic and neurological changes; due to the mother's illness during pregnancy and due to a psychological shock.
Compared with normal children, children with autism often have less social interaction, less communication gestures, do not play with peers of the same age, do not share or care about others; autistic children are also slow to speak, speak in parody and often make meaningless pronunciations; there are strange and unusual behaviors... One of the most common behaviors is that autistic children often scream and eat when they are not satisfied with something.

2. Why do children with autism often scream?

Children with autism often live in their own world. Most children don't like to be bothered, don't like playing with their peers, and don't like doing things they don't want to do.
One of the difficulties of autistic children is sensory disturbances (sensory sensitivities, sensory thresholds). Noisy environments, too many people around, or annoying people can be unbearable for children. Therefore, children scream to warn and denounce. For many autistic children, shouting is also understood as protest when the child is not satisfied.
A very important factor/cause for a child with autism or any other child to yell and yell is
The child has obvious language and cognitive difficulties. When children have limited cognition and limited language, they lack the negotiation skills to communicate effectively. Thus, children express their reactions to the outside by sounds, but instead of words, it is screaming sounds with different intensities. Children exhibiting attention grabbing other people's attention by yelling and screaming...occurs in children with normal cognition and also in children with moderate autism.

3. What should parents do when autistic children scream?

3.1.Immediate measures to deal with tantrums and screaming

Currently, there is no treatment that can completely cure autism disorders in children, including children with autism or screaming. However, if combined with scientific methods, it will bring many positive effects to children. When a child with autism often screams, parents can handle the following:
First, parents need to try to comfort and soothe their children's tantrums / Have a reasonable behavior management strategy: Can pretend not to care (ignore abusive behavior, yelling) if you know it's a bullying behavior to get attention. Pamper your child if he feels really insecure. Another way is to follow the child's behavior so that the child sees the behavior as unreasonable and stops (if screaming for attention).

3.2 Long-term measures to reduce and limit the situation of children yelling and screaming

Parents absolutely do not hit, scold, use violence with children. Comfort your child with care, words, and eye contact. Involve your child in simple household chores so that he or she can become familiar with some skills, increase reflexes, and stimulate communication. Regularly praise and acknowledge children in many ways: verbally praise, reward children's favorite things, hug children... depending on the preferences of each child. When having a child with autism is a child with autism who screams and yells, parents should not hide their illness, but need to share it with those around them such as relatives, neighbors, and teachers so that everyone knows to take care of each other. care and help children. For children with autism or screaming, it is necessary for them to integrate with their friends by sending them to daycare, or by letting them play with other children. Don't think because your child has autism or screams that separates him from his peers. Regular contact with friends will help children feel comfortable, and at the same time, help them increase their cognitive ability, increase their ability to communicate and interact with society. The most important thing is: Parents understand their children, read books, learn skills to be able to help their children, support their children every day. On the other hand, you can rely on Autism Treatment Centers for teachers and therapists to support periodic assessment of difficulties as well as assessment and follow-up of your child's development. Send your child to intervention to get the best support. Families work with therapists to teach children about: Awareness, language, ways to interact more effectively in behavior and relationships with children. other people (family, friends, and school...) in everyday life. Parents should also regularly let their children participate in outdoor recreational activities. Children should not be locked in the house and exposed to too much phone and TV - things that can make the child's syndrome worse.

In addition, if they find that their child has signs of autism such as autistic children or screaming, parents should also take their children to the Hospital or the Centers specializing in the treatment of autism in children to find out more. causes and symptoms and work with your doctor to figure out the best treatment for your child.
Children with autism or screaming or children with autism in general need the attention of parents, family, friends, and teachers. This is a syndrome that currently has no cure. Therefore, difficulties can accompany a lifetime if the child does not receive good and early intervention and support. On the contrary, when there is an early and scientific intervention, along with the perseverance and efforts of parents and teachers to communicate with autistic children, surely autistic syndrome in children will be improved. Children will live happier, healthier lives.
Unit of Educational Psychology - Autism, Vinmec Times City International General Hospital is a pioneer in applying multidisciplinary educational and therapeutic methods in the fields of science and art, to assess and treatment of children with autism. Vinmec updates and applies a comprehensive treatment-intervention model in psychology and art that has been researched with evidence and proven to be effective in the world such as ABA, ESDM... to help improve health and well-being. quality of life for children with autism. The hospital organizes weekly classes for children, with parents closely monitoring the child's progress for timely interventions.
When your child suspects autism or has psychological difficulties, you can talk to the doctors, teachers and therapists at Vinmec for support and find ways to educate your child. effective.

Please dial HOTLINE for more information or register for an appointment HERE. Download MyVinmec app to make appointments faster and to manage your bookings easily.