ABA for Pushing & Shoving in Autism in New Brunswick, NJ

If you’re in New Brunswick and searching for answers about Pushing & Shoving in Autism, you’re not alone. Families across Middlesex County ask us about this regularly—and ABA therapy works precisely because it finds the reason behind the behavior, not just the behavior itself.

Why pushing and shoving happen

Pushing is one of the most socially common forms of aggression in young children, and in children with autism it is especially frequent because it is physically effective and requires no language. A child might push to get access to a space or item, to escape a crowded or overwhelming situation, to initiate contact with a peer (often without understanding the social impact), or simply because they have not yet learned another way to communicate “I need room” or “I want that.” Sensory overwhelm in crowded spaces is also a common contributor — see sensory processing.

ABA’s approach to pushing

After a functional assessment identifies the driver of the pushing, ABA teaches a specific replacement skill: asking for space verbally or with a visual, tapping a shoulder rather than shoving, waiting with a visual schedule, or using a communication device to request access. Social skills instruction often runs alongside the behavior plan to help the child understand personal space and appropriate peer interaction. Related: social skills and requesting.

Questions from New Brunswick families

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