Sue Larkey Podcast - Autism (ASD), ADHD, ODD and PDA education SLP 327: Seven Hidden Triggers Behind Challenging Behavior in Children with Autism
Jan 5, 2026
Jed Baker, a clinical psychologist and director of the Social Skills Training Project, joins to discuss seven hidden triggers of challenging behavior in children with autism. He emphasizes the importance of identifying internal and sensory triggers, as well as factors like self-esteem and unmet attention needs. Traditional discipline methods backfire, and the 'Hulk' metaphor illustrates why. Jed suggests proactive strategies to prevent meltdowns and advocates for using self-modeling and mindfulness techniques to manage anxiety effectively.
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Calm First, Investigate Later
- When a child is emotionally flooded, stop punitive threats and focus on calming and soothing first.
- Do detective work after they're calm to identify and change triggers.
Seven Trigger Categories Map Meltdowns
- Meltdowns often follow predictable trigger categories that act as a practical map for investigation.
- Identifying which category applies helps design prevention and post-crisis strategies.
Start With Internal Needs
- Check internal states first: hunger, fatigue, pain, or illness before blaming behavior.
- Addressing internal needs often prevents repeated dysregulation across settings.
