Impulse Control & Social Boundaries

Blurting out isn’t about being rude — it’s often about how a neurodivergent brain handles thoughts, emotions, and timing. Kids with ADHD may speak before thinking, while kids with autism may not catch social cues about when (or whether) something should be said. Emotional overload, anxiety, and sensory input can all turn up the volume on impulsive speech.

Social language skills are like any other skill — they need modeling and repetition. Try using tools like role-playing, short social stories, or the acronym WAIT (Why Am I Talking?). These aren’t about shaming your child, but about giving them the language and structure to share their thoughts in ways that feel better for everyone.

Simple systems like a blurting budget, a “think before you speak” chart, or a daily point tracker can be powerful without adding stress. Visual cues and rewards help make self-control concrete — and pairing that with pre-teaching (before events or transitions) helps reduce the need for mid-moment corrections.

As you support your child in managing blurting and impulsive speech, a few guiding principles can make the process feel less overwhelming — and more effective. These key strategies are simple, realistic, and grounded in trust. Think of them as your cheat sheet for everyday moments.

If you’ve ever had to gently peel your child off a stranger’s leg or rescue a family cat from an overenthusiastic hug, you know the challenge of unwanted touching and grabbing. My son, for instance, loved to grab interesting objects in stores – and occasionally people’s sleeves – simply because he was curious and seeking touch.

Impulsive touching isn’t just about behavior — it’s often about unmet sensory needs or not fully understanding personal boundaries. In this section, we’ll explore ways to teach those skills clearly and kindly, without shame or constant correction.

Preventing unwanted touching starts long before the behavior happens — it begins with preparation, practice, and making sure the environment supports your child’s success. In this section, you'll find strategies for pre-teaching expectations, using simple visual cues and physical adaptations, and building routines that reduce the chances of impulsive touching in the first place.

Teaching appropriate touch takes time — but with the right support, it’s absolutely doable. This section gives you a quick-reference guide to what really works: strategies that build understanding, meet your child’s sensory needs, and help them succeed without shame.

Ever had that experience where your child is practically glued to another person, oblivious to the squirming or uncomfortable expression of their “new friend”? Teaching personal space can feel like an uphill battle. I recall a playdate where my friend’s daughter was nose-to-nose with her playmate the entire time – the other child kept edging away, and hers kept closing the gap. Neither was being “bad”; one just didn’t understand the unwritten rule about personal space.

When your child is right up in someone’s space, you need calm, respectful tools that work right now. This section shares real-world scripts, body language cues, and gentle redirection strategies to defuse tension quickly—without shaming your child or escalating the moment.

Personal space is a teachable skill. Using hands-on tools like tape on the floor, hula hoops, social stories, and role-play, you can help your child understand and internalize boundaries. Learn how to creatively reinforce the “bubble” concept in a way that actually sticks.

You might not see instant results—but steady, trackable progress is possible. This section offers praise scripts, visual reward systems, and self-monitoring ideas that make personal space goals tangible, celebratory, and motivating for your child (and you).

A little prep goes a long way. Learn how to front-load expectations before social events, set up physical environments that reduce crowding, and use scripting or visual cues to support your child before issues even arise. Prevention can turn chaos into confidence.