Outline of Presentation:

Those who do not understand the characteristics of autism are more likely to perceive those with the disorder as being poorly behaved or as “needing more discipline.” It is critical for those in helping roles with individuals with ASD to be able to recognize characteristics of autism that underlie challenging behavior. When in doubt, it is best to respond to a behavioral difficulty as if it is related to the underlying autism. A history of being punished for behavior that is related to an underlying disorder may result in low self-esteem, hopelessness, depression, and a lack of opportunity to learn alternative behaviors.

Schopler (1994) used an iceberg as a metaphor to illustrate the concept that visible behaviors (the portion of the iceberg above the surface of the water) are manifestations of underlying or “hidden” characteristics of autism (the portion of the iceberg beneath the surface of the water). Targeting underlying needs will lead to interventions that are more proactive and fundamental than those that fail to consider these needs. In comparison, interventions that are solely designed to address surface behavior without consideration of the underlying ASD are potentially less effective and less likely to result in sustained behavior change. Consideration of patterns of behavior in addition to underlying characteristics will lead to a better understanding of specific behavioral concerns and their unseen causes.

Recognizing when problem behaviors are a manifestation of ASD may be a challenging task that requires more than “common sense.” Further, there must be a willingness and conscious determination to consider the possible role of the ASD in the behavior of concern.