Tyler has been having alot of anger outburst lately don't you think autistic kids can control some of that when there 14 years old . I guess I feel he should control his anger. He was on risperdol did fairly well on that but my husband job close there doors and we lost our health insurance but he has seeked other employment so our insurance will be into effect this month so we can get him back on a med but he has been pretty good until these last few weeks maybe because school starts in few weeks which he does not like school because he can't learn real well . Hi Jackie... got your message... Is there any possibility on zooming in on Tyler's source of anger ? Maybe something or someone provoked him ? Or maybe something went missing ?
Everyone should learn to control their anger, but for children with autism it's not necessarily going to be something they can just "pick up" as the years go by, and even if they've learned it, they may not be able to apply what they've learned without medication. If you need an alternative to Risperdal, this article is about choosing a medication that treats the cause of the aggression (impulsivity, over-sensitivity, anxiety, mood instability, etc.).
http://www.fragilex.org/html/medical1.htm
I'm assuming your son has an IEP. Make sure there are appropriate social-emotional goals on there such as the following goals from http://www.bridges4kids.org/IEP/iep.goal.bank.pdf. Good luck with everything.
Content Strand: Dealing With Feelings/Self-awareness
Annual Goal #11 ___________ will identify and manage feelings (i.e., anger, anxiety, stress, frustration) on a daily basis with
_________ frequency as measured by _____________.
Objective #1 Identify behaviors that cause others to become angry (i.e., calling others names, tattling, making unkind remarks
and discussing others).
Objective #2 Express anger appropriately by using words to state feelings.
Objective #3 Ask adult for help or move away to a quiet play (voluntary time out).
Objective #4 Follow the direction to take a time out when asked by teacher.
Objective #5 Respond to teasing from peers appropriately.
Objective #6 Control temper in conflict situations with adults.
Objective #7 Receive feedback appropriately.
Objective #8 Listen to the opinion of a peer without interrupting or walking away.
Objective #9 Seek help appropriately.
Objective #10 State how his/her behavior affects others.
Objective #11 Identify way(s) to ease frustration in hypothetical situations.
Objective #12 Identify signs of frustration in self.
Objective #13 Name ways people show approval/disapproval.
Objective #14 Describe situation's) in which student experiences a given emotion.
Objective #15 Describe condition(s) which make the student feel angry.
Objective #16 Distinguish between fact, rational belief and irrational belief.
Objective #17 Manage unreasonable fears.
Objective #18 Name alternative, appropriate ways to express emotions (pleasure, anger, and/or frustration).
Objective #19 Express emotions appropriate to given situations.
Objective #20 Describe feelings or mood when asked.
Objective #21 Correctly identify emotions (happy, scared, angry, sad) from a set of pictures.
Objective #22 Continue to maintain appropriate behavior even when frustrated.
Objective #23 Identify signs of anxiety and stress in self and others.
Objective #24 Practice methods to reduce anxiety and stress in real and simulated situations.
Objective #25 Use appropriate methods to reduce anxiety and stress in real and simulated situations.
Objective #26 Demonstrate self-control as directed by the teacher in role playing situation.
Objective #27 Identify situations which lead to stress.
Objective #28 Name alternative ways to handle frustration.
Objective #29 Identify behaviors which demonstrate self-control.
Objective #30 State a complaint appropriately.
Objective #31 Answer a complaint appropriately.
Objective #32 Respond to persuasion appropriately.
Objective #33 Respond to failure appropriately.
Objective #34 Respond to accusation appropriately.
Objective #35 Accept NO for an answer.
Objective #36 Say NO in inappropriate/unreasonable request(s).
Content Strand: Alternatives To Conflict
Annual Goal #1 _________ will manage conflicts on a daily basis with _________ frequency, independent of teacher support, with
teacher support as measured by ________ (teacher observation, checklist, anecdotal records, behavior checklist,
self evaluation, etc.).
Objective #1 Identify situations may lead to conflict (e.g.. hurtful teasing. name calling).
Objective #2 Respond appropriately to peer pressure.
Objective #3 Constructively deal with situations mat may lead to conflict.
Objective #4 Identify appropriate ways of dealing with confict.
Objective #5 Name types of behaviors and language that are acceptable and unacceptable.
Objective #6 Name personal behaviors that may contribute to a conflict.
Objective #7 Walk away /seek help in physical confrontations or set-ups.
Objective #8 Lake provocative situations (name calling, teasing, pushing) to avoid involvement in the situation.
Objective #9 Approach another person for explanation-when perceived-to be unjustly criticized.
Objective #10 Resolve conflicts without physical contact or abrasive language (e.g., stating emotions/desire, or walking away).
Objective #11 Ignore peers when cued by teacher {verbal or sign).
Objective #12 Seek assistance to resolve conflict after independent attempt.
Objective #13 Compromise in conflict situations by changing his/her own ideas to reach agreement.
Objective #14 Follow through on making commitments involved in a decision.
Objective #15 Ignore classroom conflict by remaining in seat. not getting verbally involved and practicing self management.
Objective #16 Cooperate with group decisions in which the student is not in agreement.
Objective #17 Appropriately state angry feelings to omen involved in the situation.
Objective #18 Take a time out without physical assist by teacher(s).
Objective #19 Participate in competitive game until the end of the period, regardless of outcome (be a good sport).
Objective #20 Accept feedback appropriately.
Objective #21 Control temper in conflict situations with peer and/or adult.