Guest guest Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Some of the things you are describing sound like Autistic-like characteristics. I have had many parents of children with Autism tell me that haircuts are a struggle. My beautician says that kids with Autism often have difficulties with haircuts. Another disorder which I am not as familiar with is Sensory Integration Disorder. I know there is at least one parent in this group who has a child with this. Hopefully, she will see your post and reply. I am certain she could give you some good advice. As for the behaviors, boy have I been there! My daughter is Deaf and mildly Autistic and believe you me, we have had some DOOZY behaviors over the years! Just like with any other child, your son needs to understand that there is a specific consequence for a specific behavior. Depending on his level of functioning, you may have to use pictures with him, but he can definitely learn to follow a behavior plan. You don't have to get the school involved -- although it WOULD be nice to have them on the same page for consistency's sake. You can come up with a system whereby he receives a negative consequence for undesireable behavior and a positive consequence for a desireable behavior. You should only pick one or two behaviors at a time to work on, though, so he does not get overwhelmed -- and neither do you. Pick the one or two most significant behaviors that you want to change and work on those first. You might find that, once you get that/those under control, the rest will fall into place. You'll have to figure out what is causing him to exhibit the behavior in question. Otherwise, your plan to change the behavior will just be a stab in the dark. Good luck! ________________________________ From: MosaicDS [MosaicDS ] on behalf of hvarvaras [varvaras@...] Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:56 PM To: MosaicDS Subject: ABA Program Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. Does ABA Help? Should I get a sensory evaluation? My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. Please help if anyone has similar experiences. P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. Eleni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Hi Eleni, I am not familiar with an ANA program but I am becoming very well acquainted with Sensory Processing Disorder. Kaylee (age 5) has issues with extreme teeth grinding, rocking, and another involuntary behavior that involves and loud grunting noise along with stiffly outstretched arms and legs. She too has issues with grooming. We have found help through the Sensory Processing Disorder website: http://www.spdfoundation.net/index.html They have a link to specialists in your area who are well trained in SPD. I hope that this site might offer you some answers. Thanks, Sandy ________________________________ To: MosaicDS Sent: Wed, March 16, 2011 11:56:16 PM Subject: ABA Program Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. Does ABA Help? Should I get a sensory evaluation? My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. Please help if anyone has similar experiences. P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. Eleni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 We do an unofficial ABA program ourselves at home. Look up some info online and you can do it yourself without all the fancy costs or needless fighting. Basically, you are training the child and eliciting the behaviors or skills you want him to learn. It is based on a rewards incentive type program. We just did this yesterday with numbers. We do not give prizes or stars; instead we give praises and smiles. If he gets it wrong, i move his hand and say no or i do a shake of my head. Quite easy, but not sure you want to fight for a teacher who has never done it to do ABA for your child. Are any of the teachers trained to do ABA? > > Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily > non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. > > Does ABA Help? > Should I get a sensory evaluation? > > My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. > > Please help if anyone has similar experiences. > > P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. > > Eleni > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 17, 2011 Report Share Posted March 17, 2011 Not sure if you are referring to me, but my son has SID and ASD as well. Haircuts, like the one we had Tuesday, are NIGHTMARES. One thing our beautician knows for sure is that it is a myth that all kids with Down syndrome are complacent and have low muscle tone. She even exclaimed that she got a wro out from three of us struggling to hold himto cut his hair. *I* know we each lost 5 pounds on his haircut alone!!! DS and Autism are frequently found together in the same individual, as more and more doctors and researchers are discovering. IMO, what causes the mechanism of cell division to do what it does in DS is caused by inherited neurological differences; the developing child is trying to compensate for the neurological dysfunction.. Dr Roper confirmed at the last IMDSA conference that they (scientists and research doctors) believe that the act of having an extra chromosome on the 21st chromosome is a *defense mechanism*. So, I might not be far off here with my hypothesis. > > Some of the things you are describing sound like Autistic-like characteristics. I have had many parents of children with Autism tell me that haircuts are a struggle. My beautician says that kids with Autism often have difficulties with haircuts. Another disorder which I am not as familiar with is Sensory Integration Disorder. I know there is at least one parent in this group who has a child with this. Hopefully, she will see your post and reply. I am certain she could give you some good advice. > > As for the behaviors, boy have I been there! My daughter is Deaf and mildly Autistic and believe you me, we have had some DOOZY behaviors over the years! Just like with any other child, your son needs to understand that there is a specific consequence for a specific behavior. Depending on his level of functioning, you may have to use pictures with him, but he can definitely learn to follow a behavior plan. You don't have to get the school involved -- although it WOULD be nice to have them on the same page for consistency's sake. You can come up with a system whereby he receives a negative consequence for undesireable behavior and a positive consequence for a desireable behavior. You should only pick one or two behaviors at a time to work on, though, so he does not get overwhelmed -- and neither do you. Pick the one or two most significant behaviors that you want to change and work on those first. You might find that, once you get that/those under control, the rest will fall into place. You'll have to figure out what is causing him to exhibit the behavior in question. Otherwise, your plan to change the behavior will just be a stab in the dark. > > Good luck! > ________________________________ > From: MosaicDS [MosaicDS ] on behalf of hvarvaras [varvaras@...] > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:56 PM > To: MosaicDS > Subject: ABA Program > > > > Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily > non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. > > Does ABA Help? > Should I get a sensory evaluation? > > My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. > > Please help if anyone has similar experiences. > > P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. > > Eleni > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 my son has down syndrome and he hates haircuts. i too feel drained after holding him to get it cut proper. He looks good after but that is why i get it short. My friend has an application on her phone that allows bubbles to appear when they touch the screen that is the only thing to calm him.  it only lasts a short while tho. distration is the key for a little piece of mind. He is very determined in what he wants now that he is almost five. if he gets it in his head that no haircut then the fight is on. B ut he sure looks good afterwards. Goodluck one and all.\ Barbara Subject: Re: ABA Program To: MosaicDS Date: Thursday, March 17, 2011, 1:19 PM  Not sure if you are referring to me, but my son has SID and ASD as well. Haircuts, like the one we had Tuesday, are NIGHTMARES. One thing our beautician knows for sure is that it is a myth that all kids with Down syndrome are complacent and have low muscle tone. She even exclaimed that she got a wro out from three of us struggling to hold himto cut his hair. *I* know we each lost 5 pounds on his haircut alone!!! DS and Autism are frequently found together in the same individual, as more and more doctors and researchers are discovering. IMO, what causes the mechanism of cell division to do what it does in DS is caused by inherited neurological differences; the developing child is trying to compensate for the neurological dysfunction.. Dr Roper confirmed at the last IMDSA conference that they (scientists and research doctors) believe that the act of having an extra chromosome on the 21st chromosome is a *defense mechanism*. So, I might not be far off here with my hypothesis. > > Some of the things you are describing sound like Autistic-like characteristics. I have had many parents of children with Autism tell me that haircuts are a struggle. My beautician says that kids with Autism often have difficulties with haircuts. Another disorder which I am not as familiar with is Sensory Integration Disorder. I know there is at least one parent in this group who has a child with this. Hopefully, she will see your post and reply. I am certain she could give you some good advice. > > As for the behaviors, boy have I been there! My daughter is Deaf and mildly Autistic and believe you me, we have had some DOOZY behaviors over the years! Just like with any other child, your son needs to understand that there is a specific consequence for a specific behavior. Depending on his level of functioning, you may have to use pictures with him, but he can definitely learn to follow a behavior plan. You don't have to get the school involved -- although it WOULD be nice to have them on the same page for consistency's sake. You can come up with a system whereby he receives a negative consequence for undesireable behavior and a positive consequence for a desireable behavior. You should only pick one or two behaviors at a time to work on, though, so he does not get overwhelmed -- and neither do you. Pick the one or two most significant behaviors that you want to change and work on those first. You might find that, once you get that/those under control, the rest will fall into place. You'll have to figure out what is causing him to exhibit the behavior in question. Otherwise, your plan to change the behavior will just be a stab in the dark. > > Good luck! > ________________________________ > From: MosaicDS [MosaicDS ] on behalf of hvarvaras [varvaras@...] > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:56 PM > To: MosaicDS > Subject: ABA Program > > > > Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily > non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. > > Does ABA Help? > Should I get a sensory evaluation? > > My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. > > Please help if anyone has similar experiences. > > P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. > > Eleni > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted March 18, 2011 Report Share Posted March 18, 2011 We have tried the Model Me Haircut app, which comes free on a Model Me app. Also,we have tried a portable DVD player, which worked once. Then we tried other games on the IPAD. Despite all we have tried and had success with only his portable DVD player once, in the end my son was signing/saying " scared " . My son is scared dor some unknown reason to get his haircut. A few times, he said " hurts " , but we all know that cutting dead hair does not hurt. I think the true feeling is " scared it will hurt " . If my son just had DS, I do not think he would be as bothered by the haircut; I think the autism is playing a much bigger role in this. > > > > > > Some of the things you are describing sound like Autistic-like characteristics. I have had many parents of children with Autism tell me that haircuts are a struggle. My beautician says that kids with Autism often have difficulties with haircuts. Another disorder which I am not as familiar with is Sensory Integration Disorder. I know there is at least one parent in this group who has a child with this. Hopefully, she will see your post and reply. I am certain she could give you some good advice. > > > > > > As for the behaviors, boy have I been there! My daughter is Deaf and mildly Autistic and believe you me, we have had some DOOZY behaviors over the years! Just like with any other child, your son needs to understand that there is a specific consequence for a specific behavior. Depending on his level of functioning, you may have to use pictures with him, but he can definitely learn to follow a behavior plan. You don't have to get the school involved -- although it WOULD be nice to have them on the same page for consistency's sake. You can come up with a system whereby he receives a negative consequence for undesireable behavior and a positive consequence for a desireable behavior. You should only pick one or two behaviors at a time to work on, though, so he does not get overwhelmed -- and neither do you. Pick the one or two most significant behaviors that you want to change and work on those first. You might find that, once you get that/those > under control, the rest will fall into place. You'll have to figure out what is causing him to exhibit the behavior in question. Otherwise, your plan to change the behavior will just be a stab in the dark. > > > > > > Good luck! > > > ________________________________ > > > From: MosaicDS [MosaicDS ] on behalf of hvarvaras [varvaras@] > > > Sent: Wednesday, March 16, 2011 11:56 PM > > > To: MosaicDS > > > Subject: ABA Program > > > > > > > > > > > > Does anyone have and ABA Program for the child with MDS? My son has ADHD and Sensory symptoms and has very challenging behaviors. Primarily > > > non-compliant, easily distracted, high energy, and VERY stubborn. He hates hair cuts which makes it difficult for us to cut his hair. We only do it 3 times a year with a razor because its fast and safe. However he screams and cries throughout the entire hair cut. We literally hold him down. > > > > > > Does ABA Help? > > > Should I get a sensory evaluation? > > > > > > My patience with his behavior is diminishing day by day. I take care of him before school, after school, and weekends. His dad sees him only a few hours a week because he works all the time. I'm so stressed all the time because I don't know how to handle his non-compliance. The school doesn't want to take any responsibility but I am in the process of fighting them for an ABA program. > > > > > > Please help if anyone has similar experiences. > > > > > > P.S. Some of the criticims I've heard about ABA programs is that they are too robotic for kids who are so social like my , who by the way is almost 7 years old and in 1st grade starting next year. > > > > > > Eleni > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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