Re: I'm new...Headbanging issues

[Guest guest]

Are there possible noises/high pitch frequencies that he is hearing at home, but

not at school that might be causing him pain? Have you tried a pair of the

headphones to drown out any offending sounds?

>

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as

big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of

control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At

school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't

really improved. He is not on any  med but I am starting to consider it. Does

anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going

to hurt himself.

>  

> Lou Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Hello Lou Ann

Welcome to the group I have a 6 yr old.. When he was a toddler he would head bang a lot... I had to basiclly teach him the hitting his head hurts.. So know he feels pain when he hurts himself.... He still bangs his head but he braces him self and does it softly and looks to see if I am watching... Devin has classic autism... Sorry if I'm not much help.. Glad you've joined our our....

Lesley

-- I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

[Guest guest]

I know many have had bad experiences with meds....but so many others have great success. I look at it like this. If I've done all I can do, then I have no choice but to try medication. My little one is 29 months, and I'm not pro-med, but if/when he needs them, he'll get them. I can't do this all on my own. And I will not allow him to suffer things like Self Injury, or OCD...it's tormenting to live that way...and the more I get into this Autism stuff, the more of a believer I am...I've heard to many success stories as of late....main thing is CONSERVATIVE, CONSERVATIVE, CONSERVATIVE...if the milligram is 5, ask for 2.5 at first...you get my point...it's so important to be on the right meds, to have the right one or combo...and to have a doctor that

you trust so that if you want a change, the doc will listen and it will be changed....A doctor who respects you as a mom who knows her child better than she/he does....

e

To: autismbehaviorproblems Sent: Monday, March 30, 2009 11:23:27 AMSubject: I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved.. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

[Guest guest]

Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better. I have only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what to suggest. I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have caused more problems then they have solved. What seems to be working best for me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk. I have also taught him to use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to the left brain which is more rational. He also will self talk; he will say, "calm down, relax". Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was totally calm.

I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. There are a lot of smart ladies on this list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions. Blessings, Pat K

I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

Hi, welcome to the group! I am a young adult (22) with ASD, and used

to headbang quite frequently as a child and within the last two years

have gotten back into it to some exent, but it's still not frequent.

Do you know what triggers his headbanging? In order to change it, you

have to know what the function or reason for the behavior is, and you

could then work (with the behavioral therapist) on finding something

else that serves that need. Has the therapist or you observed any

pattern in the behavior? For example, does he start headbanging when

there's lots of noise, or when his routine is changed, or when he has

had a difficult day at school? Like, he could have had it way

difficult with school demands, but hold it together until he's home

and then melt down into headbanging. If you haven't yet found out any

pattern to the behavior, you can sk the behavioral therapist to help

with something called a functional behavioral assessment/analysis

(FBA). This is usually done for school behavior improvement plans, but

if you get home services that therapist should be able to help with

this as well.

Astrid

astrid@...

http://www.astridvanwoerkom.com/

Citeren Lou Ann Henson :

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He

> is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his

> headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is

> not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty

> much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not

> on any  med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have

> problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to

> hurt himself.

>  

> Lou Ann

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

hi my son anthony is 10 he also has a problem with head banging like your son he does not do it much at school any more but when he is home we have problems my son will find anything hard and bang his head on it including floors like in the hospital i don't know what to do either i've tried what they do at school they try to redirect him and tell him to put his hands in his pockets but i don't know what else to do with him he has had bruises from banging his head so much if any one has any suggestions let me know also thank you

Subject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issuesTo: AutismBehaviorProblems Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:12 PM

Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better. I have only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what to suggest. I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have caused more problems then they have solved. What seems to be working best for me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk. I have also taught him to use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to the left brain which is more rational. He also will self talk; he will say, "calm down, relax". Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was

totally calm. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. There are a lot of smart ladies on this list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions. Blessings, Pat K I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

okay I probably shouldn't chirp in but I will. My son Dan, 10 going on 11 next week does not head bang, but he does hit himself in the head at the slighest sign of stress. He has brusied himself cause he hits himself hard.

We have been lucky all I do is ask if that is Boy Scout behavior and his response is usually no so he stops. He wants to bad to be a good Boy Scout and please his dad. His dad is the Scoutmaster in our little town. He used to scratch at his eyes when he was little and so far that has not come back with all the stress he is under right now. For that I am thankful. He keeps his nails short by biting them so he shouldn't do any damage should he start doing it again.

Like most of you, I think, we are all seeing habits come back from when they were little. Danny has started throwing tantrums/meltdowns like when he was 3 they can last anywhere from a minute to full blown ones that last hours.

I have been told by his private social worker that the reason he does this at home and not at school is he knows it is safe - we will love him no matter whether he does it or not, we will not judge (we may cry on the inside) but its a safe haven - Home. So for what it's worth if your child is not doing these behaviors at school and only at home you have won half the battle - You are safe and will always be.

Sharon

From: pkuenstleraol (DOT) com <pkuenstleraol (DOT) com>Subject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issuesTo: AutismBehaviorProbl emsyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:12 PM

Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better. I have only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what to suggest. I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have caused more problems then they have solved. What seems to be working best for me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk. I have also taught him to use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to the left brain which is more rational. He also will self talk; he will say, "calm down, relax". Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was

totally calm. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. There are a lot of smart ladies on this list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions. Blessings, Pat K I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

I'm just brain storming, but could it be his way of decompressing after maintaining so much control at school? If that is what it is, I wonder if he could learn a safer way of decompressing. Pat K

I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

Pat - this is exactly what Dan does, he needs his decompression time, If I try to do anything right after school I gotta do it slow otherwise I end up with a meltdown.

Sharon

From: pkuenstleraol (DOT) com <pkuenstleraol (DOT) com>Subject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issuesTo: AutismBehaviorProbl emsyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:12 PM

Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better. I have only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what to suggest. I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have caused more problems then they have solved. What seems to be working best for me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk. I have also taught him to use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to the left brain which is more rational. He also will self talk; he will say, "calm down, relax". Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was

totally calm. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. There are a lot of smart ladies on this list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions. Blessings, Pat K I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

I'm still brainstorming. if rubbing the head works %30 of the time; that sounds encouraging that a substitute might work. What do you think about jumping on a mini-trampoline instead, or banging his head on the bed or a pillow.

This just now reminded me; my youngest daughter (NT) use to bang her head even on the concrete (amazing that it didn't do any brain damage, and she is still my smartest daughter). I was so young and dumb that I didn't even know to worry about it. LOL. One day she was banging her head on the back seat of the car and her two older sisters started doing it too and she looked so shocked that she never did it again. LOL.

I'm not suggesting that this would work with your son; these kids are so unique; you never know what will work. It is just trial and error. Anyway, I'm sure you will find the solution. Pat K

I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

Maybe a 10 minute pillow fight w/mom/dad might do the trick (plus mom/dad can release some nervous energy too!). It works with Nick - he loves when we all get home and play pillow/blankie fight on the floor (i.e. rolling him up in the blanket etc). Course with Nick, we HAVe to limit the amount of time doing that, or it sends him way off in the opposite direction behaviorally - he's easily over-stimulated. But 10-15 minutes is a wonderful release for all of us!

Of course he has to understand that this is only a game for mom/dad/nick, and the limitations, which he does.

But some physical activity going might just get the nervous system back into ship-shape!

To: AutismBehaviorProblems From: pkuenstler@...Date: Tue, 31 Mar 2009 10:33:12 -0400Subject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issues

I'm still brainstorming. if rubbing the head works %30 of the time; that sounds encouraging that a substitute might work. What do you think about jumping on a mini-trampoline instead, or banging his head on the bed or a pillow. This just now reminded me; my youngest daughter (NT) use to bang her head even on the concrete (amazing that it didn't do any brain damage, and she is still my smartest daughter). I was so young and dumb that I didn't even know to worry about it. LOL. One day she was banging her head on the back seat of the car and her two older sisters started doing it too and she looked so shocked that she never did it again. LOL.I'm not suggesting that this would work with your son; these kids are so unique; you never know what will work. It is just trial and error. Anyway, I'm sure you will find the solution. Pat K I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

With we have lots of fidgets to help him with his hand biting. They work...but he's little. I order mine from Therapyshoppe.com...another idea is a hat...some of these kids prefer to wear a hat -- gives them a sense of pressure on their heads... loves hats for this reason...he also like sunglasses for this reason...pressure around his ears.....

It sounds like anxiety, and or frustration that he can't handle....hard stuff this SIB.

e

To: AutismBehaviorProblems Sent: Tuesday, March 31, 2009 9:03:36 AMSubject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issues

okay this may sound stupid but we have fidgets for Danny - hard to describe what they are but they are things that he can stretch, pound the crap out of, throw (not at teachers - that's a no no - speaking from experience here). Danny has a koosh ball, that he doesn't like as much, but he has a squishy lizard, it was huge but he has destroyed it, he is now working his way through some new squishy animals I found through abilitations - not cheap $45 for 3. Dan loves these and carries them from class to class and he keeps 2 at home.

Maybe if you provide something like this in place of the headbanging it might help. I have no other clue.

Sharon

From: pkuenstleraol (DOT) com <pkuenstleraol (DOT) com>Subject: Re: I'm new....Headbanging issuesTo: AutismBehaviorProbl emsyahoogroups (DOT) comDate: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:12 PM

Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better. I have only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what to suggest. I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have caused more problems then they have solved. What seems to be working best for me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk. I have also taught him to use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to the left brain which is more rational. He also will self talk; he will say, "calm down, relax". Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was

totally calm. I'm sorry I couldn't be more help. There are a lot of smart ladies on this list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions. Blessings, Pat K I'm new...Headbanging issues

Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

Lou Ann

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[Guest guest]

Welcome Lou Ann :-)

You mentioned the behavior therapist is tracking the antecedents to your son's

headbanging. Is she also tracking the consequences? What happens right after

he headbangs? Also, consider the setting during which the headbanging occurs.

e.g. - Lights too bright? Nothing much going on (bored)? Too noisy? etc...

Although it seems he's banging his head for no reason at times, there's ALWAYS a

reason. He may simply be bored and gives himself some sensory pleasure out of

headbanging. Someone mentioned a small trampoline... I love that idea as an

alternative because this may give him the same dizzying sensation he may be

getting out of headbanging. Or, something like a swing might help. It may be

the hard touch he's craving. Perhaps a head massager might do the trick. Play

around with alternatives and see what he might prefer. Once he finds a

preferable alternative, reinforce it to increase the use of it.

>

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as

big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of

control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At

school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't

really improved. He is not on any  med but I am starting to consider it. Does

anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going

to hurt himself.

>  

> Lou Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites very hard when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion. Sometimes after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

C.

[Guest guest]

Pat, these are good suggestions. You are teaching your son coping skills for

dealing with frustration. Going for a walk, swinging or other physical exercise

is good coping skills, as well as the distraction of counting. Usually self

abuse occurs out of frustration. If you expect to stop it, you have to teach

other ways of dealing with the frustration.

bill

>

> Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic

boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better.? I have

only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem

to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what

to suggest.? I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have

caused more problems then they have solved.? What seems to be working best for

me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and

get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk.? I have also taught him to

use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to

the left brain which is more rational.? He also will self talk; he will say,

" calm down, relax " .? Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and

we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was totally calm.?

>

> I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.? There are a lot of smart ladies on this

list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions.? Blessings, Pat K

>

>

> I'm new...Headbanging issues

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as

big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of

control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At

school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't

really improved. He is not on any? med but I am starting to consider it. Does

anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going

to hurt himself.

>

> ?

>

> Lou Ann

>

[Guest guest]

Sharon,

It is very common for kids on the spectrum to hold it together while in school,

and then let it loose once they get home. Just tolerating the daily schedule

(sensory, academic, and social demands) at school creates accumulated stress

chemicals in the child's nervous system. If the stress builds up gradually, the

child will often hold it in and control it so they don't act out at school.

However, once the child gets home, they feel safe to let out the stress

chemicals. Part of this problem can be dealt with at school and part at home.

Work with the school Occupational Therapist to develop sensory breaks in his

school routine (either a break to rebound or to engage in physical activity).

They can also give suggestions about lowering the stress level by breaking

things down a little easier. At home I would give the child time to rebound as

soon as he gets home. This will vary from child to child. Some children want

to withdraw and isolate by sleeping, engaging in repetitive play, etc..

Allowing them some time to regroup may help. Other children needs strong

physical activity to work off the stress chemicals, so going outside and

climbing on a playscape may help. I suggest the following

1. Identify areas (sensory, academic, social) of stress at school and build in

compensations to lower the stress.

2. Give sensory breaks periodically for the child to escape and rebound from

the stress by engaging in solitary play or physical activity.

3. Identify a transition activity when coming home from school to all the child

to rebound (either solitary play or physical activity.)

Bill

>

> From: pkuenstleraol (DOT) com <pkuenstleraol (DOT) com>

> Subject: Re: I'm new...Headbanging issues

> To: AutismBehaviorProbl emsyahoogroups (DOT) com

> Date: Monday, March 30, 2009, 10:12 PM

>

>

>

>

> Dear Lou Ann, my name is Pat K; I am the grandmother of a 16 year old autistic

boy who has been dealing with harmones but seems to be getting better.  I have

only had two bouts of headbanging and that was in the car; so there didn't seem

to be any danger to himself and it didn't last long; so I really don't know what

to suggest.  I will say that the meds that have been tried with Karac have

caused more problems then they have solved.  What seems to be working best for

me is teaching Karac to calm himself down i.e. he has learned to go outside and

get on his tire swing or just ask to go for a walk.  I have also taught him to

use his counting which moves him from the emotional right side of his brain to

the left brain which is more rational.  He also will self talk; he will say,

" calm down, relax " .  Today he got a little agitated; so he started counting and

we would alternate the numbers; by the time we got to 100 he was totally calm. 

>

> I'm sorry I couldn't be more help.  There are a lot of smart ladies on this

list and I'm sure someone will have some good suggestions.  Blessings, Pat K

>

>

> I'm new...Headbanging issues

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as

big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of

control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At

school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't

really improved. He is not on any  med but I am starting to consider it. Does

anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going

to hurt himself.

>  

> Lou Ann

>

>

>

>

>

> Get there faster with the MapQuest Toolbar. Try it now.

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks, Bill, that is very validating. It is good to have you on the list. Pat K

I'm new...Headbanging issues

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

> Hi, I'm new to the group. I have a 13 year old son with autism. He is now as big (or bigger) than I am and since puberty has hit his headbanging is out of control. He is in behavior therapy but it is not working as well as it was. At school they seem to have it pretty much under control but at home it hasn't really improved. He is not on any? med but I am starting to consider it. Does anyone else have problems with headbanging or solutions? Im afraid he is going to hurt himself.

>

> ?

>

> Lou Ann

>

Get there faster with the MapQuest Toolbar. Try it now.

[Guest guest]

Hand/arm biting and head banging are very common with children with emotional

regulation problems. Hand/arm biting are especially good, because of the

strong proprioceptive stimulation that it gives. The child gets both strong

proprioceptive stimulation into the jaw, as well as into the hand or arm. This

proprioception release stress chemicals from the nervous system. When the child

gets frustrated, the stress chemicals build up to boiling point, and child seeks

out strong proprioception (resistance to joints or tendons) through self abuse,

aggression, or property destruction, because they release stress chemicals from

the nervous system. To reduce self abuse, you have to do several things:

1. Identify conditions that cause the stress and help reduce them.

2. Identify the function that the behavior serves (either escapes something,

gains attention, or reduces stress chemical). Once you determine the function,

then teach another behavior to take it's place. So, if the child is engaging in

the behavior to escape or avoid something, then identify another way of escaping

(using break card, ask to leave, etc.). If they are doing it for

proprioception, then give them another way of getting it (biting on tubing).

3. Once the replacement behavior is determine, have the child practice it alot

when calm and reinforce heavily. When the child starts to get upset, prompt the

replacement behavior and reinforce the child for choosing that behavior over the

biting. However, remember it is very important to practice the behavior when

calm. You can not teach new behavior when the child is upset.

4. If the child has good control over his behavior, you can simply reinforce

the lack of biting behavior. For example, develop a sticker chart with four or

five boxes in a row on it. Have the child pick out a reward that they want to

work for (e.g rent a video). Place a picture of the reinforcer at the end of

the sequence of squares. Each day that he shows no incidence of biting, praise

the child and have him put a sticker on his chart (in one of the boxes). Make a

big deal over it and have him count how many stickers he needs to earn the

video. Once he fills up the boxes with stickers he gets to rent a video. If he

doesn't earn a sticker for the night, then take him to the chart and let him

know he cannot have one tonight but he can try again tomorrow.

5. If it is harder for the child to control the behavior, you can use the 1-2-3

approach. Once he starts to bit, you count one, then two, and if you have to

say three...he loses his sticker. This way it gives him a chance to regroup

himself. If the child has multiple incidents of biting each day, then use this

other approach: If he averages four episodes of biting a day, put up board of

four tags. Each time he bites himself have him take one tag off the board, If

he loses all four then he doesn't earn his sticker at the end of the night.

Once the child learns to hold himself to just three biting incidents a night,

then you move to using only three tags, and gradually work you way down to only

one tag.

Hope these ideas help.

Bill

>

> Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites very hard

when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion. Sometimes

after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

>

> C.

>

[Guest guest]

Young children learn self regulation by first allowing the parent to regulate

them. Young children usually don't have good ability to regulate their

emotions, so rely on the parent to help them regulate (calm when upset, alert

when underaroused). Many children on the spectrum are scared of their emotions.

They overreact very easily, because they don't understand their emotions and are

scared of them. By the parent reading their emotional state, the parent can

help sooth them when upset. Through allowing the parent to regulate them,

children begin to learn to self regulate. Unfortunately, children on the

spectrum usually do not trust allowing others to regulate them. If this process

doesn't happen, the child on the spectrum, never learns to regulate their

emotions very well. They feel anxious and insecure, often avoiding situations

that cause emotions. It is important to develop good emotional interaction in

daily play to establish yourself as a " working partner " and " trusted guide " . It

can be hard for children on the spectrum, but is workable.

At 's age, I would work on getting him to allow you to regulate him when

scared, frustrated, or upset.

bill

> >

> > Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites very hard

when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion. Sometimes

after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

> >

> > C.

> >

>

>

>

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[Guest guest]

Yes, I think you are doing the right thing. The child needs through your

guidance. What the therapist is referring is also correct in a way. If your

attention is reinforcing the behavior, causing it to occur more frequently, then

you would want to back off from emotionally support him. What you want to do

is say very little about his negative behavior, but focus on what you what

to do. Minimize the attention for the wrong behavior and focus on what he

should do. Then reinforce that.

bill

> > >

> > > Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites very

hard when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion.

Sometimes after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

> > >

> > > C.

> > >

> >

> >

> >

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[Guest guest]

e,

Just make sure the child doesn't get what they want from it.

Crying is ok when frustrated. It is just an expression of emotion. Much better

then hitting or destroying things.;..lol. Again, attention only reinforces the

bad behavior if the bad behavior increase in frequency when you attend to it.

I recommend you stay the course you are doing, unless the child is 12 years old

and crying/whining after every little frustration. I use a similar approach to

yours:

1. Acknowledge that the child is upset " Wow.., you really look upset to

me! "

2. Next, validate that is ok to be upset, " I can understand how you would be

upset because you cannot have ______ right now. That might make me upset to. "

This does not mean you have to agree with him, or approve of his behavior, just

acknowledge and validate how he feels.

3. Finally, help the child problem solve or understand when or how he might get

what he wants. Focus on what you want the child to do, not on any negative

behavior.

4. If the child is too upset to talk reasonably with you, simply say " You seem

to be too upset to talk right now. That's ok, you let me know when you are

calm enough to talk. " Then minimize any attention given to the upset behavior. "

Do not try and reason with a child who is acting out. So little emotion, speak

matter of factly, and only reason and problem solve once the child calms enough

to talk reasonably.

Focus on the feelings, not the behavior. " It is ok to be upset, but not ok to

hit. "

Sound like you are on the right track. What your ABA therapist is telling you

is true. Attention tends to reinforce the behavior it follows. If the child

tantrums a lot then you want to minimize the attention give to it. However,

before you want to put a behavior on extinction (ignore), you want to make sure

the child has a replacement behavior to substitute for the bad behavior. How do

you want them to respond when upset. Once the child understands how to respond,

then you can ignore the bad behavior and reinforce the appropriate response.

Bill

> > > >

> > > > Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites very

hard when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion.

Sometimes after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

> > > >

> > > > C.

> > > >

> > >

> > >

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[Guest guest]

I would ask your therapist that question. I typically block and firmly redirect

to the appropriate replacement behavior. But I don't know your child or the

circumstances. I would follow the lead of your therapist.

Bill

> > > > >

> > > > > Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites

very hard when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion.

Sometimes after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

> > > > >

> > > > > C.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Messages in this topic (29) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

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>

[Guest guest]

Just wanted to say thank you for posting this information. I know it wasn't

written to me, but I found it very helpful. We are new in this journey and I

don't know any ABA. I'm not even sure we will be able to afford it if insurance

doesn't cover it. My daughter is nearly 9, Aspergers and has many behavioral

issues.

Last night we had a very rough night. Lots of screaming and fits and fears.

She didn't go to bed till nearly midnight and had refused to go to sleep in her

own room because she saw a spider. She ended up sleeping on my mom's floor

(against my wishes, as it was very cold last night).

And I had to hear from my mom how she's not autistic, she just needs a good

spanking. That made me the most furious.

Kiara

> > > > >

> > > > > Tristan, soon to be 13, is still biting his hand and arm. He bites

very hard when in meltdown mode, but also bites lightly in a stimming fashion.

Sometimes after doing it, he will say don't bite your hand.

> > > > >

> > > > > C.

> > > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > >

> > > > Messages in this topic (29) Reply (via web post) | Start a new topic

> > > > Messages | Database | Polls

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> > > > Change settings via the Web (Yahoo! ID required)

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format to Traditional

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> > >

> >

>