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About Jene Aviram
Expertise
How do you know if your child has autism? If you're concerned about your child's behavior and would like to know if they're symptoms of autism, I can help you. If you need behavior and parenting strategies, I have many suggestions and ideas to help you. I can also help you with questions on ABA therapy. I cannot answer biomedical questions.

Experience
I am one of the co-founders of Natural Learning Concepts, a manufacturing company for autism and special education materials. I am an author and writer and my work on the autism spectrum is frequently published by many organizations and renowned magazines. My son has Aspergers and my nephew has autism.

Publications
Autism/Aspergers Digest Autism Society of America Autism Today Issue Spirit Magazine The Autism Perspective Magazine Yahoo News Parenting Magazine

Education/Credentials
My original background and education is computer network engineering. A turn of events led me to switch careers in early 2000 when my passion and driving force became helping people on the autism spectrum. I then co-founded a successful company that helps people on the autism spectrum every day.

You are here: Experts > Parenting/Family > Parenting Special Needs > Autism > help

Autism - help

Expert: Jene Aviram - 11/5/2009

Question
My son was diagnosed with autism he has alot of behaviors that i am wondering if there related to autism? He hits ,bites, throws things at people and he does these things smiling and like nothing is wrong for what he is doing. I have 2 older children 5 and 4 and he is very abusive to them and i need help on what i can do to help my situation

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

Yes. All those things you mention are typical of young children with autism. Your son isn't doing it to be naughty, he is just unable to communicate effectively at this point. Think about it, if you could never get your point across, and you were his age, you'd probably want to do the same - anything to get some attention or to take out your frustration.

It's very important that your son learns appropriate behavior. Do you have an autism consultant or therapist to help you? It's probably best to put in some effective behavior therapy with a lot of positive reinforcement. In other words, instead of punishing your son when he does something wrong (especially since he doesn't seem to understand that he's doing something wrong) it's better to reward him for good behavior.

In other words, let's say he's always abusive to your other kids when they're eating dinner. Create a chart for him that he can see. Put a picture of him sitting at the table. Put a picture of "hands to myself" on the chart. Put a picture of something he loves (example a toy truck) next to that. Explain to him in as few words as possible. "Sit at the table. Keep your hands to yourself. Get your truck." You want him to be as successful as possible so he learns that he gets great things when he behaves. So the first time, let him sit for 2 minutes. Say Great Job! Your kept your hands to yourself. Here's your truck. As time goes by, you can increase the time span.

It sounds like your child is newly diagnosed. Don't lose heart and don't lose faith. He will go a long way. This is just the beginning. You'll see. But you definitely need some guidance and some coaching. I'm assuming that you'll be getting services soon and will have a lot of help coming your way.

I wish you the best of luck and I hope this has been of some help.

Jene Aviram
http://www.nlconcepts.com

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