Trichotillomania | Autism PDD
[QUOTE=cherylh] I hope someone else has a useful suggestion for you.[/
QUOTE]
Thanks, Cheryl. He is doing a wonderful job. I wasn't really looking for
suggestions, as I know I have all my bases covered, but rather support, if
there are other parents going through the same thing on this board. This
kind of anxiety disorder is not uncommon in Asperger/HFA kids.
What about medication for such severe behaviours? I would hate to see someone put themselves through so much pain, especially a child. I know you're not "looking" for suggestions. My 5 yr old is a nail biter. He wore socks and shoes nearly constantly for the last 2 years. He finally got some toenails back. We asked about meds but overall, he didn't need them. His nail biting is not severe enough for meds.
Rachelle
My 6yo daughter managed to pull out enough hair while hair twirling to leave a large bald patch on the top of her head. I had to cut her hair short so that she wasn't able to twirl easily. I used lots of redirection as well to deal with it. She also has issues with her eyelashes in that she has a build up of skin scales so must have her eyelashes washed each week with baby shampoo to prevent them ingrowing. The opthamologist said it can be a severe problem. Maybe part of the issue is that his eyelashes are irritated like hers were. Sometimes it is an irritation that starts the problem, like picking at a scab that itches. I also use a stress ball or other distractor so they have something to do with their hands.Godd luck.
His issues aren't from irritation. The are all stress related. We use stress
balls, and he loves to tear fabric, so I have little swatches of fabric cut up
that he can shred to bits. I gave an envelope full of them to his teacher,
and he asks for them when ever he is feeling the urge to pull. Bandaids
on his fingertips work, too. He has become pretty good at self-managing
the behavior, but every now and then he loses the battle, and I notice
some eyelashes missing. Still, it's gotten so much better. Three months
ago he had no eyelashes at all! He even pulled out the bottom ones.
Poor kid. I can't imagine what it's like to be ten years old and be that
stressed out
It sounds like you have all the bases covered. I think your son is
doing a fantastic job at managing his own behaviour. I hate to think
about the stress our kids are under every day just managing our NT
world.I hope someone else has a useful suggestion for you.
I am so sorry my 11 yr old non spectrum child pulled out her hair terribly when we tried to bottle break her. My pediatricain at the time said it was the stress of no bottle and give it back it wasnt worth it. So i know stress can cause children any type of child to do that. Man you woudl think it would hurt.. But then again Megan (PDD NOS) bites herself so i guess it doesnt matter or they cant feel the pain. Hang in there..I am really sorry you are facing the hair pull.. You both are in my thoughtsIs there anyone here dealing with Trichotillomania (hairpulling)? Connor
started pulling out his eyelashes about four months ago, and then during
one high stress day, pulled a large spot of hair out from his scalp, just
above his forhead. He only did that the one time, but it's taking forever
to grow back. The eyelashes have been an ongoing compulsion, though
he has managed to get it reasonably under control through Cognative
Behavior Therapy.
Just wanted to know if anyone else here is dealing with this issue as well.
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