self stimulating behavior

[Guest guest]

Skyzalex,

My son with autism is 19 years old. He started self stim when he was around your sons age too--maybe even younger. By your description of your sons behavior, however, my son's self stim mainly involved himself. He would make a fist and place it down below as he would lie on his belly and kind of rub or try to hump, so to speak. He would usually do th is on the sofa. I learned to teach him that this is something he should do in the privacy of his own bedroom. We consistently redirected him to his room. Sometimes the redirection would distract him and he would not continue but other times we would have to physically help him to his room, and close the door. I would just say to him, "take a little rest in your room" As he got older he continued to do this but actually learned to go in his room on his own and closes the door. It is normal and one of the few way s that they have to release stress. Unless he is spending hours and hours and hours doing it, it really should not be looked at as a problem, However, when other people are involved that's a problem. I would recommend that you continue to be consistent with teaching him that this is done by himself in privacy. My son is currently on a few meds for seizure/spke control, mood stabilization, obsessive compulsive behaviors, agitation, etc. He takes Seroquel and and Celexa, along with Lamictal and Topamax. Many of the antidepressants (SSRI) usually cause a decrease in this urge. Not sure if that is the route you want to take at his age, but you should definitely be teaching him whats acceptable vs nonacceptable in a very simple, and concrete manner. Do not overreact, but rather redirect as you give him directions for how to manage this urge--even at 6 years old.

MAria

NJ