Does Autism cause violent behavior

[elme]

Last week, my 6 year old grandson was attacked by a 10 year old boy who is said to be autistic.  The boy got aggitated when my son and another little boy called his name at the after school daycare.  He knocked my grandson (the smaller of the two boys) to the ground and started choking him.  He had to be pulled off of my grandson, but there were marks left on my grandson and he was quite shaken up.  The parents of the 10 year old said that he had done that do them as well in the past.  The daycare center is suspending this 10 year old from the center and of course, I am happy to hear that - This was a serious attack that could have ended in tragedy.

I cannot find any symptoms that suggest an autistic child is violent or becomes violent.  Is this normal?  Obviously, at the parents admission, this particular child has moments of violence.  I just have never heard of this type of behavior from an autistic child.  I am "thinking" that this child has been misdiagnosed.  Yes, I am extremely upset over the attack on my grandson, but I am also concerned for this 10 year old because IF he has been misdiagnosed, he is more than likely, also receiving the wrong medications that very well could be causing the random acts of violence.

[angeleyesm]

I have a 6 year old with autism and yes if he does not understand something or things are not the same he can get aggressive. Its a communication disorder they do not process information the same as we do. I am sure the daycare was aware of his disbiity and should have been on the look out especially since the parents should have informed them of hisd violent tendencies. But yes it is common in any child with a communication disorder

[KarenDiane]

I have to disagree. If this autistic boy is so violent that he has attacked his parents, then they have knowledge that he could harm others and they are putting younger children in danger by sending their son to this daycare. Children call each other names. Autism can not be used as an excuse to beat people up. Certainly this 6 yr. old's parents should teach him not to treat people that way but he didn't deserve to be choked. My autistic daughter would be in a huge amount of trouble if she behaved this way.

[dollyn]

This poor child was being picked on by your grandson, how would you all feel if it was the other way around and your grandson was the one who was sick and some kid did this to him.

I say the day care should have been doing there job and not let your grandson and his friend treat this boy or any other child the way they where.    

I know my son would have probably went after the kids who where picking on him and not because he has not been told to act like that,  but because it would be his way of hurting them after them hurting him and he wouldn't be able to control him self.

If this 10 year old is Autism ,it is not his fault he acted the way he did, and not the parents fault . The School should take blame and the boys who where calling him names because they should know better and know child should be treating others badly.

[Sarsar133]

Okay, this is from experience.
I have a 16 year old brother with Severe Autism.  He had incidents like this all the time, and yes it is from agitation.  He has been to special education, speech therapy and occupational therapy.  He was most definitely not misdiagnosed for he has been to see so many doctors/therapists.  We don't have my brother on medication, we are very accepting of his disorder and never thought of abandoning him.  We don't love him any less.  The 10 year old boy was probably having an off/rough day, the Autistic are not like this all the time.  They have no control over what they do, even with medication or "special diets".  Please learn to be accepting for those with this disorder, they really can't control this.  They do not lash out unless someone is provoking them.  You're grandson must have done something to cause the 10 year old to "attack" him.  There were kids like your grandson in my brother's class, and they do not make it easier on the Autistic child.  Not to mention the parents who are constantly stressed about situations like these.  It might be hard, but please try to understand..

[lak1298]

My wife is an Autism Teacher at a therapeutic day school.  She come home with bruises and cuts from her kids. They hit and do much worst sometimes. You must remember this is sometimes their way of showing frustration or not wanting to do something. One minute they are fine, the next they are punching you. Autism is a tough subject that researchers are still unclear about. There are may levels of Autism which can be view on a spectrum scale. Unfortunately this is a growing issue and the population of Autistic children are growing. Violence is directly correlated to Autism, but every person is different. Some may not have violent out breaks but more social disorders. I suggest you check out the Autism Awareness web site for more information.

[Dazon50]

A friend of mine who has a newly 18 year old severely autistic son deals with more of her son occasionally hitting out or biting her hand or his hand, hitting head and making loud agitated noises.  I was hit in the shoulder by him while we were in the vehicle traveling back home.  I ended up with a bruise.  He has never choked anyone or tried grabbing them by their neck.  

I am not sure what the cause of such an outburst would be.  Lots of speculation knowing how stressed anyone could become under certain situations.  I wouldn't ever excuse things to avoid facing some serious concerns.  Hopefully the family involved will take it seriously and talk with the professionals.

My heart goes out to your family and certainly your grandson for going through such a frightening experience.