Do you ever get sick of the book your child wants to read over and over again? How about the endless, unrelenting conversations about dinosaurs? You love that they love them, but please! Children with autism often exhibit repetitive behaviors and restricted interests which can sometimes pose challenges in daily life (even it seems mostly for the parents and caregivers). There’s a reason your child does them, however. These behaviours provide comfort and a sense of stability for your child. The question is, what can we do about them?

Here are ten strategies to help address repetitive behaviours while supporting your child’s needs and interests from our Monarch House Autism Burlington Centre. 

1. Incorporate Interests Into Learning

There’s nothing wrong with being fascinated by a subject. You just don’t want to be stuck on one to the detriment of the rest. Children with autism often have intense interests. The secret is to integrate these interests into educational activities that can engage them while providing opportunities to explore new topics. For instance, if a child loves boats, use sea-themed materials in math or reading exercises.

2. Offer Alternative Activities

People who obsessively kick, throw, and bounce balls tend to find each other. Once they’re assembled, it’s a sport! At Monarch House, we try to do the same thing with children with autism. We aim to redirect repetitive behaviors toward more functional or socially acceptable activities. For example, if a child enjoys spinning objects, we might offer them a fidget spinner or a similar toy. If a child likes listening to a certain song on repeat, we might encourage them to pick up a keyboard and find like minded friends.The idea is to encourage engagement in other activities while satisfying their need for sensory input.

3. Teach Self-Regulation Strategies

A repetitive behaviour could be a way for a child to maintain some control in what they consider a chaotic environment. Without it, they can face sensory overload and a deluge of unwanted emotions. Our behavioural therapists, speech therapy for children with autism, occupational therapists, and psychotherapists can help with this. At Monarch House we teach children with autism techniques to manage their emotions and impulses without repetition. We offer some simple strategies such as counting, deep breathing, and using visual aids. These techniques empower them to cope with feelings that trigger repetitive behaviors. Role-playing scenarios can also be effective in practicing these skills.

4. Understand The Function Of The Behaviour

There are many different reasons for repetitive behaviours in a child. They could be a means of self-soothing, a coping mechanism for anxiety, or a way to seek sensory input. At Monarch House we provide observation first, to understand why they occur, before addressing any repetitive behaviours directly. By paying attention to the context, and triggers, we can help identify the function, allowing for customized interventions.

5. Create a Structured Environment

Knowing what is going to happen next, and when it is going to happen exactly, can provide a sense of great relief to a child with autism. Having this predictability goes a long way towards reducing their anxiety. When they are less anxious, there is less need for repetitive behaviours. Establishing a consistent daily routine provides neurodivergent children a sense of security. One way to reinforce this is through visual schedules. They can help children understand what to expect throughout the day. Ideally, this works to decrease their reliance on repetitive behaviours.

6. Use Positive Reinforcement

You can encourage a child to do something other than the repetitive behaviour that is currently happening by praising them for having other interests, or rewarding a new curiousity. At Monarch House, we encourage children to replace repetitive behaviours with more appropriate alternatives, reinforcing the desirable behaviours we see through praise or rewards. For instance, if a child engages in imaginative play instead of a repetitive action, we provide positive feedback to reinforce that choice.

7. Promote Social Skills

It’s easier to be repetitive when you are alone. Having other people around provides healthy distractions and new interests. In this way, be sure to encourage your child to have social interaction with their peers. This will go a long way towards developing social skills. Structured playdates or small group activities can provide opportunities for interaction, which may naturally reduce the intensity of restricted interests over time. The very nature of turn-taking and cooperative games encourages social skills and steers your child away from repetitive, restricted behaviours that they may be doing on their own.

8. Collaborate with Professionals

Monarch House has many interdisciplinary professionals on-site that can help your child with repetitive behaviours. Working with our therapists, such as a speech pathologist, or occupational or behavioral therapists, can provide valuable insights and strategies specifically tailored to your child’s needs. Our professionals can offer interventions that address personalized challenges while leveraging your child’s strengths.

9. Foster A Supportive Community

Monarch House can give you access to many support groups and communities that focus on autism. Connecting with other families can provide practical strategies for addressing similar challenges, new resources, and shared experiences. You will find that a supportive network can help to alleviate feelings of isolation for both your child and yourself.

10. Be Patient And Flexible

Try to think weeks, if not months, ahead. Your child is not going to change their behaviour overnight. It takes time. So at Monarch House, we remind parents to approach interventions with patience and flexibility. What works for one child may not work for another, therefore ongoing observation and adjustment of strategies are crucial. Celebrate small successes, and remember that progress may be gradual.

Obsession isn’t always a bad thing. Certainly, it can sometimes get in the way of living a normal, productive life. However, a little deep focus, used selectively, is what makes a great artist, or surgeon, or engineer. An incredible attention to detail can be a blessing. However, ideally, the focus has to be beneficial, and not just the same storybook over and again each night. In any case, it requires a thoughtful, individualized approach to address the unwanted repetitive behaviours and restricted interests in children with autism. By understanding the underlying reasons for these behaviours and implementing supportive strategies, caregivers and educators can help children navigate their world more effectively while honouring their unique perspectives. With the right support, children with autism Burlington can thrive and explore their interests while developing essential skills for daily life.