jperron85@...

[Guest guest]

Hello,

I am writing for suggestions on a behavior of a

five-year-old boy with PDD that my team and I are

having a difficult time decreasing. This group has

been extremely helpful in the past, so we look forward

to your helpful suggestions once again:)

Our five-year-old is very verbal and high functioning.

In the past few weeks, he has taken to switching on

and off the light switches excessively. It seems

almost irresistible to him to engage in this behavior-

he sees a light switch and cannot help but switch it

on and off, multiple times. He has begun to do this

at other people's homes and other environments as

well. The behavior does not seem to be maintained by

attention from others, as we have taken all attention

away and tried to re-direct, but this has not resulted

in a decrease in his behavior. The feeling of the

light switch and seeing it go on and off are the

reinforcing elements.

While this is the main behavior, we have also noticed

some opening and shutting of doors, and insistence

repetitiveness in tasks like putting the marker cap on

a marker the same way every time.

He definitely has a lot of anxiety around routine, but

has not had many stims up until now.

Your help is greatly appreciated.

Amber

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