How to deal with a stubborn child

The best way to deal with one stubborn of a child is to show him that his behavior is not having the results he would expect. The best response from parents is to remain calm and firm with the stubborn child and encourage positive behavior in their own way.

Here are some ways you can deal with a stubborn child and curb his negative behavior:
Listen to your child
Communication with your child should be two-way. If you want to be heard, you have to listen to them. Especially stubborn children who are very insistent on their opinion. The next time your child insists on doing or not doing something, approach him calmly and discuss with him the reasons that lead him to this behavior.

Don't push it
When you force a child to do something against their will all you will get is their reaction. For example, if your child insists on watching TV at bedtime, instead of yelling at him, sit next to him for a while and talk about the program he is watching. Children react more positively when we show them our interest.
Give him options
Stubborn children don't like to be told what to do. So instead of ordering them around, give them options. Stick to what you are telling them in a calm manner and repeat it as many times as necessary.

Keep calm
Yelling to deal with a stubborn child will have the opposite effect of what you want. By yelling at him you will most likely start a verbal argument between you that will lead nowhere. Talk to him as if you were talking to an adult and explain why you expect a certain action or behavior from him.

Respect, cooperation, negotiation
If you want your children to respect your decisions, you should also respect their wishes and build a relationship of respect and trust between you. Stubborn children with autism are especially sensitive to how you treat them. So be careful with your tone, body language and the vocabulary you use. Changing the way you approach a stubborn child can change the way he reacts. Instead of arguing with him about bedtime, negotiate and agree on a time that works for both of you.

Positive behavior is encouraged
The most common response you might get from a stubborn child is "No!" So play the "Yes" game with him. Ask him questions that he can only answer with a "Yes" or a "No" and choose them wisely: Do you like ice cream? Want to play with your favorite game? Do you want to go for a walk in your favorite park tomorrow? Most likely, he will answer "Yes" to all of them, and this is something that will make him feel that you are listening and taking into account his opinion and wants.

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