Skip to main content
Knowledge Base
< All Topics
Print

Behaviours

Posted
Updated

The section below lists some suggestions for behaviours shared by our parents. As a general rule most phases do end and lessen with age. It is important to be firm and calm, not giving attention to the behaviour and consistently saying ‘no, we don’t [spit]’ or whatever the behaviour is. There are lots of images and social stories available on Google or through sites such as twinkl (https://www.twinkl.co.uk/) which may also help. 

Many of our parents have shared that their child has gone through a phase of smearing. In all cases this phase passes but it can be unpleasant while going through it. Some tips: 

  • Provide other sensory toys with the same texture, such as slime or play dough 

  • Use a popper vest to restrict access to their nappy/pad or pants. Zip up sleepsuits or onesie put on back to front stops hands wandering, and cycling shorts on top of or underneath popper vests is good too. The following places sell popper vests in larger sizes: 




  • Many children go through phases of throwing, particularly stones. 

  • Training courses, such as Trauma Informed Parenting, recommend giving an alternative to throw, such as a soft toy, foam ball etc, instead of trying to stop them throwing as the need is the sensation of throwing an item. It’s also worth looking at other ways to meet the sensory need, such as providing small stones or sand in a tray to play with.  

Table of Contents