Hello Casey:
~Behavior issues~ CAN occur, and autism is one of a huge list.
In class, must be dealt with if merely to prevent it from distraction factor. However behaviors that are not noisy
not a distraction, I try and leave them alone.
However full blown melt downs typically require letting THEM get themselves together, once you tell them what you expect happen...
Tommy get a drink and pull yourself together, I can see you're frustrated. Get a drink, count to 10... come right back.
They can become more enraged knowing & understanding that they are "not doing" what they should like the other boys & girls but are literally unable (to whatever degree they are able) to prevent the given specific behavior(s).
"...Guys be quiet please..."
Hearing instead BLAH, BLAH "... please..." and we said something else that didn't register either.
"...Mary Elizabeth, you need to be quiet, ok..."
Hearing only her name Mary Elizabeth, and maybe quiet...maybe
Depending on the group I like to have him/her repeat back EXACTLY what you said to them. Very small words, More than 1 sentence is too long.
It also s you if you are even being heard... literally.
I've let kids rock quietly in the middle of a room. Several at a time in fact, in ferent locations.
Had them literally too afraid to do anything but watch their first couple classes. And if approached too terrified to get closer, until they wree ready. Kids in first, second grade even.
Had kids completely loose it towards a teacher/another kid. Literally a different reality and misinterpreted what happened to them. Took a suggestion as VERY personal and believed (wrongly) they were being scrutinized by us LITERALLY like the Eye of Saurmon (Lord of the Rings series)
Their non existant threshold towards any type or kind of imperfection takes time and effort to redirect.
Jeff