A child diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder engages in a repetitive rocking behavior that does not pose a threat to the child's safety. When educating the child's family on managing this behavior, which action would be appropriate for the nurse to suggest?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Managing the repetitive behaviors of these children depends on the specific behavior and its effects on others or the environment. If the behavior has no negative effects, such as rocking, ignoring it may be the best approach. If the behavior is unacceptable, such as head banging, redirecting the child and using positive reinforcement are recommended. In some cases, especially in children with severe delays, these strategies may not work, and environmental alterations and perhaps protective headgear are needed.

A Child Diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder Engages in a Repetitive