GTCO Autism Conference 2026: Expert Urges Parents to Understand Behaviour Rather Than Punish It
By Temidayo Anthony
Autism advocate and behavioural specialist, Lanre Duyile, has called on parents, teachers and caregivers to focus on understanding the reasons behind the behaviours of autistic individuals rather than relying on punishment or medication.
Speaking at the GTCO 2 days Autism Conference 2026, Duyile said there is currently no medication designed to treat autism itself, stressing that effective support lies in behaviour management and identifying the underlying causes of challenging behaviours.
He explained that actions such as aggression, self-injury, food selectivity, running away or property destruction are often forms of communication and should not be dismissed as mere misconduct.
According to him, every behaviour has a purpose, and caregivers must ask why it is happening before deciding on an intervention.
Using real-life case studies, Duyile demonstrated how collecting behavioural data through tools such as scatter plots and Functional Assessment Screening Tools can help identify patterns and triggers. He recounted the case of a young autistic man who repeatedly vomited despite having no medical condition. After weeks of observation, it was discovered that the behaviour occurred whenever he was left alone and staff members were occupied. The vomiting stopped once caregivers recognised that he was seeking companionship rather than medical attention.
He also shared the story of a girl who frequently destroyed household property. Through careful observation, it was discovered that the sound of a neighbour playing basketball triggered sensory distress. The issue was resolved by introducing noise-cancelling headphones instead of punishment.
Duyile warned that misinterpreting behaviours often reinforces them, making acceptance and inclusion more difficult for autistic individuals.
He encouraged parents to document behaviours over time, identify patterns and work closely with therapists to develop appropriate interventions tailored to each child.
The behavioural expert further advised parents to provide healthcare professionals with detailed information about their child’s behaviour during medical consultations to improve assessment and support.
He noted that genuine acceptance begins with understanding behaviour as communication, adding that educating caregivers to recognise behavioural triggers is essential for improving the quality of life of autistic individuals.
Duyile urged families and communities to move beyond awareness to practical support, saying informed and compassionate responses are key to fostering acceptance and inclusion for people on the autism spectrum.
