The Hidden Behavior Challenges of Autism 🧩

I didn’t know that creating interactive activities and visual schedules would help Jacob with the hidden behavior challenges of autism. It was, and continues to be, a game changer. 🏆 Not only did having a daily schedule give him a sense of security and predictability, but it also reduced his anxiety, taught him independence, and showed him he was capable of learning and following instructions. ✅ 

In the beginning, I was so distraught over his lack of communication, his difficulty interacting with others, and the struggle to make friends that I couldn’t see how something as simple as structured activities and visual schedules would make such a difference. But let me tell you—boy, did I learn a lot! You don’t know what you don’t know! 🤯

The Power of Community and Support in Autism Behavior Management 🤝

One thing I wish I had back then was a community, a mentor, or a coach. While I had family, I didn’t have someone who had walked the same road. 🚶‍♀️ I found some guidance through teachers and seminars, where I learned about strategies that helped motivate Jacob to work and engage.

I wanted someone to help my child talk, enjoy his family, make friends, go to regular classrooms, and have peers who genuinely wanted to play with him. But the truth is, navigating the hidden behavior challenges of autism is a long road. 🛤️ You must be open to trying new things, surrounding yourself with people who understand, and building a plan that works for your family.

This journey isn’t about finding a quick fix or “curing” autism. It’s about celebrating wins 🎉, creating peace instead of chaos, and learning what you don’t yet know you need. Until you find ways to lessen those hidden behavior challenges of autism you’ll most likely experience chaos and frustration.

Why Early Intervention Matters for Autism Behavior Management ⏳

As a teacher, I can tell you that ignoring early diagnosis and waiting for school to handle everything is a nightmare—for both the child and the teacher. 🏫 I’ve seen kids start kindergarten without speaking or interacting, and suddenly, they’re thrown into a structured environment where they’re expected to follow verbal instructions they don’t fully understand.

Here’s another post you might find helpful:👉  Mastering Autism Behavior Management: 3 Strategies for Success

“You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know” –

Most autistic children have receptive and expressive language delays, meaning they struggle with both understanding and expressing their needs. They probably also have some sensory challenges. This leads to frustration, anxiety, and eventually challenging behaviors. ⚠️ Many parents want their child to be treated like everyone else, but the reality is that without support, the child will experience unnecessary stress.

Here’s what happens when a child isn’t prepared for a traditional classroom:

• ❌ They don’t understand expectations.
• ❌ They feel overwhelmed by constant verbal instructions.
• ❌ They seek control through tantrums or repetitive behaviors.

Visual Schedules: A Key to Reducing Hidden Behavior Challenges of Autism 📅

A diagnosis, a plan, and a structured environment are essential. When Jacob was diagnosed at age 4, he was placed in a preschool class for children with learning delays. But even there, his teacher wasn’t prepared for his unique needs. He wouldn’t listen to books being read in a group, he avoided activities, and instead of interacting with other kids, he was fascinated by the bathroom light switch. 💡

I put him in that class because I was told to, but I quickly realized that without the right support, it wasn’t helping. After another meeting, he was moved to an autism-specific classroom. That teacher and staff were amazing—they had a visual schedule ready for him on day one, using pictures to communicate his daily routine. 📸

I immediately copied this method at home, using visuals for daily tasks like:

• 🍽️ Eat dinner
• 🧸 Playtime
• 🎥 Watch a movie
• 🦷 Brush teeth
• 🛁 Take a bath

With consistent structure both at home and at school, Jacob’s anxiety decreased, and he began to thrive. 🌱

Finding the Right Learning Environment for Autism Success 🏡

Even with the improvements, the classroom setting still wasn’t the best fit for Jacob, given his high needs. That’s when I made the decision to homeschool him. ✏️ Now, homeschooling is a story for another day, but what I learned is this: structure, reducing anxiety, and creating environments that support interaction and independence are key.

I had to learn what I didn’t know—I had to experiment, adapt, and embrace Jacob’s unique way of learning. And you can too! 💡

Here’s another post you might find helpful:👉  Why I Started Educating Jacob: Support and Resources for Autism Families

Final Thoughts 💭

If you take anything from Jacob’s story, let it be this: Your family has to take action, do something different, and have grit! 💪 Autism is not a one-size-fits-all journey, but when you start implementing schedules, reducing anxiety, and creating supportive environments, you’ll see a difference. You don’t have to wait until things get worse—start today! 🏁

👉 Join Autism Thrive Tribe! 🌍

Navigating the hidden behavior challenges of autism isn’t something you should do alone. That’s why I created 👉 Autism Thrive Tribe—a community for parents who need support, guidance, and real solutions from someone who has been there.

You don’t have to figure this out on your own. Join us today and start learning what you don’t yet know—because your child’s future depends on it. 💙🤗

Here’s another post you might find helpful:👉  https://autismlittlelearners.com/autism-and-behavior/