ABA for Tearing & Destroying Items

By the Autumn ABA clinical team · BCBA-led, in-home ABA across New Jersey

Finding shredded books, broken toys, or damaged furniture is heartbreaking and exhausting — especially when it happens repeatedly. Tearing and destroying items is more common in autism than many parents realize, and it almost always has a specific reason that ABA can help identify and address.

The function behind tearing and destruction

Destroying items can serve several functions. Sensory reinforcement is extremely common — the sound and feel of tearing paper or ripping pages provides intense proprioceptive and auditory feedback that many children genuinely enjoy. Escape is another driver: if tearing a book ends a demand session, it becomes a very effective tool. Attention is also frequent — the reaction tearing gets (dramatic, immediate, emotional) is highly reinforcing. And sometimes destruction expresses frustration or dysregulation when no other outlet is available. A functional assessment by a BCBA determines which function — or combination of functions — is at play, because the plan differs significantly depending on the answer.

Replacing destruction with safer behavior

If tearing is sensory-driven, ABA finds appropriate alternatives that provide the same input — designated tearing paper, textured materials, or sensory activities — while protecting items that matter. If it’s escape-driven, ABA adjusts demands and teaches the child to request a break before the escalation point. If it’s attention-driven, the plan shifts attention toward positive behavior and reduces the response to destruction so it stops paying off. Environmental management — limiting access to particularly vulnerable items during high-risk times — runs alongside skill-building so the family isn’t in crisis while progress is happening. Related: sensory processing and challenging behavior.

In-home ABA across NJ — no waitlist

BCBA-led, in-network (NJ FamilyCare/Medicaid & commercial). Free consultation & insurance check.

Schedule a free consultation Our ABA programs →

Frequently asked questions

My child only destroys certain things — does that matter?

Yes, absolutely. What gets destroyed and when can tell a BCBA a lot about the function. If it’s always paper, sensory feedback is likely. If it’s during demands, escape is more likely. That specificity is exactly what a functional assessment is designed to capture.

How do I keep my home intact while ABA is working on this?

Environmental management is part of any good plan. That might mean storing fragile items out of reach, providing designated appropriate-tearing materials, or creating a safer physical setup. Your BCBA will build this into the plan from day one so the home isn’t constantly at risk during the intervention.

This page is general educational information, not medical advice. Every child is different — a BCBA can assess your child’s specific needs. Autumn ABA serves families in all 21 NJ counties; see where we provide ABA therapy.

← Back to all resources

Available in Towns Across New Jersey

Autumn ABA Typically replies within minutes

Hi there! 🍂 Welcome to Autumn ABA. How can we help your family today? Leave your name & number and our intake team will reach out.