Per an article that was published on the Interactive Autism Network, hitting, kicking, biting, throwing objects, and other behaviors common during a temper tantrum or meltdown can greatly increase parent stress.

Over 1300 children, between the ages of 4 -17, participated in the Simons Simplex Collection (SSC) to help researchers understand aggression in children on the spectrum. The study concluded that 56% were engaging in aggressive behaviors towards caregivers, while a smaller number (32%) engaged in these behaviors towards non-caregivers. Similarly, 68% of the children had previously behaved aggressively towards caregivers and 49% towards non-caregivers.
This a topic that many families have to deal with on a daily basis.

Today our special guest is Noah Schmidt. He is the father of a 12 year-old son, on the spectrum. Listen in to hear his story on autism, handling aggressive behaviors, and finding hope in these situations