Risk-Taking Behaviors in Neurodivergent Teens: Causes, Impulsivity, and Safety

Risky Behaviors in Autistic Teens

Risky behaviors in autistic teens are also common, although they may differ in how they present from those in teens with ADHD. While ADHD is often associated with high-energy risks, risk-taking behaviors in neurodivergent teens with autism often show up in different ways. 

Autistic risk-taking behaviors are often driven by one of three factors: sensory seeking/avoidance, social naivety, and literal thinking.

Sensory Seeking and Sensory Awareness

In autistic teens, sensory stimulation is an important part of the puzzle. For some, it is important to seek out high levels of sensory stimulation, such as:^[6] 

• Climbing to high places.
• Speeding on the road.
• Engaging in self-harming behaviors. 

Yet others may need to avoid stimulation due to sensory overload, which may also lead to risky behavior, such as a teen acting impulsively to escape a situation without thinking.^[6]

Social Naivety

Risky behaviors in autistic teens can manifest as a lack of awareness in the sense of “stranger danger.” For example, an adolescent might completely trust someone, whether online or in person, who may not be honest about their intentions.^[7] 

This is even more relevant in the digital world, as autistic teens have difficulty picking up on the subtle social cues that typically indicate a person or situation may be unsafe.^[7] 

Literal Thinking

Literal thinking is a hallmark of the autistic brain. This means that a teen with autism tends to follow rules. However, rules that are either too specific or too general can quickly become confusing and lead to unsafe situations.^[8] 

For instance, imagine an autistic teenager is out with a friend who wants to steal a magazine from the shop they are in. If their friend jokingly says, “Nobody will notice if you put it in your pocket,” an autistic teen may see this as factual reassurance, rather than risky peer pressure. 

With a better understanding of how risky or impulsive behavior may look in autistic teens, let’s look at how this behavior may affect them. 

Effects of Risky Behaviors in Autistic Teens

The effects of impulsive behaviours can impact many areas of an autistic teen’s life, including:^[9] 

• Relationships.
• School.
• Confidence.
• Emotional well-being. 

At school, impulsive behaviors due to sensory overload or sudden changes may lead to emotional outbursts, leaving the classroom suddenly, or having difficulties following school rules. All of these may negatively impact their: 

• Concentration.
• Behavior.
• Attendance.
• Academic progress. 

What’s more, repeated negative experiences, such as being bullied for being “different” or being misunderstood by teachers or peers, can sometimes lead to a drop in confidence and self-esteem. This, in turn, can contribute to an autistic teen: 

• Masking.
• Withdrawing socially.
• Becoming anxious.
• Having a low mood. 

On top of this, constantly feeling misunderstood can be emotionally exhausting. As mentioned earlier, some teens may experience: 

• Shame.
• Emotional burnout.
• Difficulty trusting the decisions they make. 

This is why it’s so important for teens to be supported, whether that comes from their parents, attending therapy, or developing practical coping strategies to lean on.

Safety Strategies for Impulsive Teens

Support for neurodivergent teens with impulsive or risky behaviors often works best when strategies focus on communication, understanding, and emotional safety. Some approaches you might find helpful include the following:

• Using clear and direct communication: This can help when explaining safety rules, boundaries, and consequences. Avoid using vague language or assumptions that a teen will know what’s expected of them. If your teen experiences challenges at school, it may be helpful to talk with their teachers about how best to communicate with your child.

• Creating predictable routines and structure: Consistency can reduce stress and overwhelm, which may in turn reduce risky or impulsive behaviors triggered by emotional intensity.

• Teaching “pause” strategies: It may be useful to teach teens how to pause before making decisions. For example, they might count to ten before making decisions during emotional moments, or text a trusted adult for support before acting on an impulse.

• Helping teens identify triggers: When teens understand what triggers their behavior, they are more able to make changes. So, it may be helpful for them to understand whether peer pressure, boredom, or sensory stimulations increase their impulsive behaviors. 

• Practising online safety skills: This could include how to keep personal information safe online or how to set healthy boundaries.

• Encouraging safe sensory coping strategies: If your teen has a list of safe sensory activities at hand, they may be less likely to act impulsively in times of over- or under-stimulation.
• Building emotional regulation skills: Therapy can help teens recognise and express their emotions in safe ways.
• Focusing on connection rather than shame: Teens are more likely to reach out for support when they feel like they are understood, supported, and emotionally safe with trusted adults.