Negative self-talk can feel overwhelming for any child. But for children with autism, it can be even harder to manage, especially when routines change or emotions run high. One of our clients was facing this exact challenge.
He often spoke negatively about himself. At times, he would even threaten to hurt himself when he felt frustrated, overwhelmed, or when things didn’t go as planned. It was heartbreaking to hear. But his team at Circle City ABA knew there was hope—and a path forward.
Kindly note: Therapy is a very personal experience, and, as with any other treatment, results are not uniform. Many factors determine if a child will benefit from therapy, including individual characteristics, the nature of their needs, and how well the child is receiving support at home and/or school.
Understanding Negative Self-Talk in Children
Negative self-talk in children often shows up as phrases like “I’m dumb,” “I can’t do anything right,” or worse. When a child repeats these messages, it can damage their self-esteem and increase anxiety or aggression. For some, it’s their way of expressing big emotions they don’t yet know how to handle.
That’s where ABA therapy for negative self-talk can make a real difference.
How Skills-Based Training Helped Create Change
This client’s care team began with Skills-Based Training, a play-based method that teaches new ways to respond when things are challenging. Instead of focusing on what not to do, it shows what a child can do instead.
For example, when our client became upset, we practiced calming strategies together, such as deep breathing, asking for a break, or using words to express feelings. The more he practiced, the more confident he became in using these new tools.
Superhero Statements: Building Self-Esteem One Word at a Time
In addition to new skills, we introduced something fun and meaningful, Superhero Statements.
A Superhero Statement is a sentence that reminds a child of something they are proud of. For this client, it sounded like:
- “I am strong. I ask for help when I need it.”
- “I’m a great big brother.”
- “I keep trying, even when it’s hard.”
We repeated these every day. We even made posters with his Superhero Statements to hang at home and in the center.
Modeling Positive Self-Talk
Another key part of this success story was the power of modeling. That means caregivers and staff made a point to speak kindly about themselves in his presence.
Instead of saying “I’m so bad at this,” we’d say “I’m learning something new today.”
Instead of “This is too hard,” we’d say “I’m going to take a break and then try again.”
By hearing these examples, our client learned how to speak to himself with more kindness as well.
The Results: A Powerful Transformation
After putting all these supports in place, something incredible happened. In the past month, our client had zero occurrences of negative self-talk. Not once.
Challenges no longer hold him back, he approaches them with confidence. Using his words, asking for help, and reminding himself of his strengths have become part of his daily routine. The difference is clear, and we’re all proud of his hard work.
How Circle City ABA Can Help Your Family
Every child is different. But every child can learn. If your child struggles with frustration, negative self-talk, or changes in routine, ABA therapy can help.
At Circle City ABA, we build therapy plans that are fun, personalized, and focused on real growth. We work closely with families to support progress at home and in our centers.
Contact our admissions team to get started. Find a location near you! We serve Arizona, Georgia, Indiana, Iowa, and Nebraska. Let’s write your child’s transformation story together.
Disclaimer: Every child is different. This story reflects one individual’s progress. Outcomes may vary based on many factors, including the child’s unique needs and the support they receive.
