Not sure how to handle you child with autism when they are whining and crying? We know that sometimes emotions can run wild, tantrums can be triggered and tears, screams, fights and floor pounding can come at you from every direction. We also know that a lot of this behavior can be triggered by one very small but very powerful word “NO”!
You can’t always give your child on the spectrum what they want and you can’t live your life in fear of a two letter word.
Here are some alternative ways to tell your child with autism that they can’t have something they want that might be more effective than the word NO.
· I wish we could, but we can’t.
· That’s not the best choice. What do you think would be a better one?
· Let me show you how to do it.
· I know you want to, but we can’t right now.
· I can help you.
· Maybe some other time.
· Let’s try something different.
· Please come away from there.
· Is there another way to do that?
· Not right now, but maybe later.
· Sure but first you need to…
· Do you think that is safe?
We found that spinning a positive take on the dreaded one syllable word NO can turn a tantrum into a lesson and that along with a phrase like “not right now, but maybe later, can stem a conversation about making right choices, doing the right thing, and learning patience while knowing that eventually you can get what you are asking for if it is appropriate, safe, and after you have done the things that are requested of you to receive a reward.