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My autistic son is now 14. He is in a residential program, but when I bring him home for visits, he also does not sleep. I mean for days. Do you have a good, firm, consistent routine in place for bedtime? Routine and consistency are absolutely key to controlling this. I learned that the hard way.
I also couldn't agree more about PECS, or Picture Exchange Communication. Google it. I made all kinds of schedules, etc. fromt he PECs pictures I found online. I'm sure they're probably using them at school as well. My son is deaf as well as autistic, so they were a real lifesaver until he began to read. They're still very useful in a lot of situations.
Be strong and God bless. Always feel free to PM me if you need to vent!
It sounds like your going down the right path with a therapist. Stick with him/her. It's well worth it. Try to see if there is a support group for parents. I only had the help of the therapist and just unloaded everything on him. I would have given anything to have had a support group to go to and just chill out. When he was growing up none of these issues were addressed much around here. My son was borderline austic and dyslexic with communication problems. About an hour before his last bathroom break I'd fix him something warm to drink, like warm milk with a little honey. That helped out a little bit. Hmmm Spider-Man! Does that guy ever sleep? I don't want to sound flip about it. With my son I'd tell him that GI Joe had to sleep while his tanker was refueling. I found out from one special ed teacher that he needed a multi sensory approch to his dyslexia /communication problem. She told me that he had to feel, see, and speak the letter or word. This is when I bought puffy paint, because when it dried on poster paper it raises up enough to feel. When the paint is squeezed out it's about the same width as the large pencils they use in kindergarden. I wanted him to be in close contact with what he would be using in school. That worked out real well, for not having much to work with. It took lots of time puffy painting his name, address simple words colors, (was fun because you could use different colors). many things. You use your creative side.
Your going to make it just like all of us who have children with disabilities.
My daughter has ADHD and has Asphberger Disease....we found out that socicaliztion works better one on one and gradully work up to it...hope it helps I know its not easy but, my thoughts and prayers are with you......
Visual "cue cards" are an excellent idea. Sometimes the words don't make sense, but pictures do. Also, as your son gets older (and does understand words a bit better) social stories are an excellent resource. These spell out in very plain, accessible language, different social situations and how to appropriately behave. For example: "When I go to school, I keep my hands to myself. I listen to my teachers and follow the rules."
And don't forget to take the time to take care of yourself. If you're tired and an emotional wreck, it's just that much harder to deal with your son's behavior.
I made a mistake in my last post about the multi sensory approach. It's seeing the word, feeling and hearing the word. Not speaking it....Yet! Tape recorders are fun to use, children like to hear their voice.
I have Aspergers Syndrome. I'm 26 now, but when I was a toddler my mother was told that I have Autistic tendencies, like late development of speech, not wanting to be loved, etc.
At school, I was told that I had ADD, but was'nt the end of it.
Before I left school in 1998, I was diagnosed with A.S. For a time I recieved support, but since 2005 I have had less as the number of people being diagnosed has gone through the roof, and the staff can't cope. Two years after giving a phone call nothing has still happened. This has made me, when reminded of the mess, a very violent person. Being bullied from school until now has also contributed, not to mention 4 months in Residential accomadation that totally screwed me up.
It's not worth being diagnosed, especially with Aspergers Syndrome, as the condition is not recognised by all in the medical sector, as it falls into two categories.
Their not sure what to do or what causes the condition, so can't help it. In result this is causing hundreds upon hundreds of A.S sufferers to feel very upset and its not wise to infuriate or annoy those that can snap at the flick of the button.
Aspergers people, when the feel no emotion(lack of empathy), are very dangerous.
I wish I was'nt diagnosed, but parents who go for a diagnosis, prepare for the tears and heartache.
ok... now, I get it-special ed teacher for many years.
It is hard. That is too long of a carryover time. I would suggest pictures of the helicopter with velcro on the back...and a schedule at preschool...every hour that he has good time, he gets the pic on the schedule, which before had the activity he was participating in.. it is imperative that children withAutism know what is coming next... they often need chips, like poker chips to take to the schedule and pull off the next activity, and go where it is to be held.. then, if he does well, the pic of the plane goes in that space...he will learn to count... he has to get so many plane pics to play with the toy each day...if he doesn't.. there is a larger picture of the plane with a red line through it....I would REALLY suggest to the teacher that they use this a LOT and let him WIN for many days in a row so he "gets" it...as you know, he has difficulty with communication... he hears lalalalalalalal helicopter, no.alalalalalalallalalalaalla0 meaningless....and too long a time...he needs visuals for everything.. on a velcro strip on the fridge or something.. come home..play...snack....wash hands, tv. brush teeth, go bed.. etc.. get your camera out or talk to early intervention about a program they have with a million pictures on it.!! good luck--it gets better
I'm hoping it's OK to post a link to another message board here. The OP (and any other parents of ASD children) might want to check out Wrong Planet. It's a site where parents of autistics, as well as the children themselves (when they're old enough) can discuss various topics relating to autism.
This thread is not uncommon from any parents. I am a behavioural therapist. I work with the ages of 18mth til 55 years old. I also have 3 family members with Autism. Every child is different but the only things that can remain the same across the board is possive reinforcement at all times. SO you had a few bad days and he's not getting his helicopter, working with a typically developing child this negative reinforcement would work; not with a child with autism. Your not getting your sleep, your tired and at a breaking point; when will this child sleep. I work with someone who sleeps 3 hours a day and not at the same time. Minor things can change sleep patterns. Is their room busy? the busier the room the harder it will be for them to sleep as their brain is moving around thinking and thinking. Is their day consistant? are they getting up at the same time and going back to sleep at the same time. Even though they are not sleeping at night still get them up at the same time every day, Individuals with autism NEED routine.
How to reinforce and the right time to do so... If you know he wants the helicopter do something you know he is able to do, could be something like claping their hands or readind you a page of their book. When they have a bad day and they dont get their "reinforcement" they don't know what they did wrong. They're better at understanding that a positive action or demand willl get the positive reinforcement. Maybe have two helicopters. One small one for bad days that when you are needed to do a high probablity response they get the smalled toys but the days that they have a great day they get the bigger one. Keep in mind that you can't have them have a great day and reinforce in at the end of their 6 hours. They don't know what they did right. Howerver during the day while everything is great reinforce them by saying "I like how you play" "good job sitting nicely" and give them the toy within a few seconds. Over time lenghten the "play" time. You may also need to turn taking program so that when you need to take the toy back you can say "my turn" and there will be no behaviours.
Just keep in mind your not alone, keep your spirits high and always use positive reinforcement!!!
I am a mom to a 9-year-old, autistic, non-verbal son. I wholeheartedly agree with the advice given here. A behaviorial specialist is a terrific start! They can help both your child, and you too, by learning how to start decreasing the negative behavior. Also, I have found that giving the child as many ways as possible to communicate their needs will help greatly.
My son uses sign, PECS and a communication device. Sounds like a lot but, believe me, he has little if any bad behavior (besides that of simply being a 9-year-old! ) I always think of how I feel when I can't get my point across; then I try to think of ways to help my son get his!
It takes a lot of work and, at times, may seem overwhelming. Please know that it does pay off, in a happier child. We've been on this road for 7 years now, and there's bumps in the road, but we're having a much smoother ride!!
Good luck, and know that there's lots of help and support here!!
Cathy
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I found out from one special ed teacher that he needed a multi sensory approch to his dyslexia /communication problem. She told me that he had to feel, see, and speak the letter or word. This is when I bought puffy paint, because when it dried on poster paper it raises up enough to feel. When the paint is squeezed out it's about the same width as the large pencils they use in kindergarden. I wanted him to be in close contact with what he would be using in school. That worked out real well, for not having much to work with. It took lots of time puffy painting his name, address simple words colors, (was fun because you could use different colors). many things. You use your creative side.
) I always think of how I feel when I can't get my point across; then I try to think of ways to help my son get his!
