Thanks for your words! I'll check back later for more bits of info. I appreciate the links...We find the things that he likes best. Music has been a huge thing for him. He only likes 2 different CD's but with the blesswing of an IPOD and a mini speaker we are able to enjoy life again. Today we went to a new mall that he has only been to once and he freaked out and started smacking his head right away. I gave him his music and it calmed him down enough to start walking again. However we went to buy shoes and he started to freak out again when the lady started to speak to him. (jelly beans helped.) When I am at home I will put him in his room. It helps but every day is different. Good luck!
T had a rare episode, at the Y Saturday! I held her on my lap till she calmed down ... Saturday was the pits for her in general -- and she was feeling victimized ... interestingly I started talking to a teacher (not SpEd) soon after that and she actually ASKED me if T had autism!
THAT was a FIRST ... NOBODY ever thinks her behavior is unuusal ... if anything they think I am spoiling her!
I should really do something other than sympathize with her but it happens pretty infrequently, and I get taken unawares!
1. are any of you using a behavioral psych? If yes, do you find it helpful? Yes. We have since Jacob was 3.5y. He is 7.5y now. It is mainly for me and not him. He is not to the point of "talking" with someone to handle his own frustrations yet. It is for ME to be able to handle whichever situation comes up. In the beginning--it was weekly appts. Then every 2 weeks for a couple of years. This past year---we are done to once/month and it's mainly for me to talk about whichever kid or Dh I want to talk about. Our psych did do a social skills group last year for AS kids. That was awesome for him!
It will help you be able to handle situations you don't have a clue what to do about. She is also my lifeline into IEP's and the school. She has attended our meetings and fought for my son.
2. What are some ways you calm your kids down? We had to resort to meds. But, before meds or when meds aren't working well---it actually is "restraining". My son can be extremely violent. It doesn't sound like your son is at all. My son would rage(the step beyond meltdowns) for hours--with physical violence. Once to that point the only way to calm them is restraining. At times--it would take a good 30 min of face down on cement with 2 people on top!! He's a very strong, with supernatural strength kid--when in that situation. Even at 5-6yo.
But for now, his language skills have improved and we can get to him before that all starts by talking him down. Rewards for good behavior are his life!! Avoidance is our discipline. But most of the time he is unpredictable. When one method works for one situation---it won't for the next.
3. What are some things you do to not fly off the handle when your kids hit/kick? Time and understanding. The Lord has given me lots of patience over the last few years. I constantly have to remind myself that he isn't trying to act out(most of the time) and that it's the disorder and as parents--we have to teach them how to learn self control and how to respond in certain situations. It's really no different then when he was 3yo and we had to "teach" him that when someone asked him his name----he has to say "Jacob" and not "3" for his answer. Our kids were not born with knowing these kind of things. We are the teachers and have to teach those type of things to our special kids!
I do the same thing that Fred does....both my kids are ready to say they are sorry after 10 minutes in their rooms.
I just hired a behavioral psych, but haven't had much dealings with her yet. Hoping to meet with her next week.
As for me flying off the handle, it happens on occasion.
2. I follow the strategies in the links I've posted under the topic "Meltdown Resources" http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=17134&am p;KW=meltdown+resources
3. My kid hardly ever does this, but we tend to give him space when he has a meltdown. I used to get more stressed out during meltdowns, but now I go into "professional mode". It really helps to have a plan of attack (ie the strategies mentioned under question 2).
Good luck with everything!
This list of links was given to me by NorwayMom, I found them to be very helpful with my ds's meltdowns. Hope it helps..Below is my list of meltdown resources, but it sounds like the problem is severe enough that you might want to consult a professional (I think they're called Behavioral Analysts?)
http://www.jambav.com/modules/specialneeds/specialneeds.php? id=8 - Temper Tantrum Report (for documenting and analyzing meltdowns)
http://messageboards.ivillage.com/n/mb/message.asp?webtag=iv -ppiep&msg=2462.1& an article called "Thoughtful Response to Agitation, Escalation and Meltdowns in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders."
http://www.isec2005.org.uk/isec/abstracts/papers_m/myles_b.s html - "The Cycle of Tantrums, Rage, and Meltdowns in Children and Youth with Asperger Syndrome, High-Functioning Autism, and Related Disabilities" which is an article by Professor Brenda Smith Myles, with a list of 7 strategies you can use in the rumbling stage (ie agitation and escalation towards a meltdown/rage).
http://www.autism-pdd.net/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=16187&am p;am p;am p;KW=inside+scoop - " 'Meltdowns': The inside scoop (or rant)" which is a popular topic on our forum started by Stickboy26.
Good luck with everything.
My girls are big meltdown kids, but they've never been aggressive. They're more the 'collapse in a heap and wail' types. It usually happens at least once a day, but usually at home - not so much at school.
1) no
2) usually, if they're out of hand, just carry them to their room and tell them that they can come out when they can stop the screaming/crying (usually takes about 10 minutes for them to get themselves together).
3) see '2' :)
Hi everyone,
I was hoping I could get some help from you. My son isn't really a meltdown kid, at least not usually. When he does lose it, it doesn't always lat too long, 5-10 minutes. (Or is that too long?) and they don't happen everyday. When he's really off his rocker, he'll hit, kick, and throw things, not necessarily all three during a given situation.
We are doing RDI, and I am trying to use episodic memeories with him after he's calmed down, like the next day, and I share with him other alternatives to flying off the handle. He does listen in his own way, but of course, as it goes w/ our kids, he's not pulling out his "list" the next time he feels mad.
My questions are these:
1. are any of you using a behavioral psych? If yes, do you find it helpful?
2. What are some ways you calm your kids down?
3. What are some things you do to not fly off the handle when your kids hit/kick?
I feel like I need some outside help, thus the behav. psych question. I think that's the route I am taking.
Thanks for your help! & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp; & nbsp;