screams instead of using language | Autism PDD

OH we went through this. It was at its peak at 2.5. I had two so it was in stereo. I developed the habit of anticipating their needs so I wouldn't have to listen to it and giving them what I knew they wanted quickly. So once the therapists came in and saw what was going on I was told that was the first thing I needed to stop doing. What I did was not give in to the scream. They have to at least try to vocalize what they want. At first it doesn't have to sound like the word, just a vocalization. As time goes on and the skills improve it needs to sound more and more like the word. At first it is going to bring more screaming, they didn't like having to ask and vocalize what they want, I had always anticipated the need before, but the thing is you are teaching them the power of language and communicating by doing it this way, and the screams will begin to subside. But yeah I'd say a large majority of it is communication frustration.

Hi=I think the fact that your son has words is wonderful! He is still young yet. My son was like that at that age. He is now 3years 4months and says milk-pretzels-go bye. Give him time. It was very difficult to get over that "hump". We went through many tantrums where we just didn't give him what he wanted unless he attempted to make a sound or verbalize what he wanted. We started with please-for everything, and he would eventually say EEES-we just praised him like it was a party every time he used a word or sound appropriately. He caught on and is now requesting wonderfully. Good luck! It's not easy, but well worth it in the long run!

Chrissy

I agree 100% with Chrissy. My son was JUST like that at your son's age... and now at age 3 1/2 he uses words to request things. What we did was constantly remind him that he needed to use his voice and use his words. Even when I knew what he wanted, I would act completely "baffled" when he would scream or grunt.... and then I would say "Can you try using some words?". Then, if he used any verbalization at all, I was very exaggerated in my response "OHHHHHHHH, NOW I understand since you used your words! Milk!! You want more milk!!! GREAT! I will get you some!!" It takes patience .... but eventually it will click and he will figure out that it is more effective and efficient to use words than screams.

My son still screams and grunts when the topic is uncomfortable to him... for instance:

Me: "Did you hit your sister? <pause> <pause> John, answer me please?"

Him: "......<grunt>....."

Good luck... and just remind yourself everyday that screams and grunts ARE forms of communication, albiet irritating and frustrating ones. But the fact that he is trying to communicate and getting frustrated will lead to success. Frustration is a great amotivator.

Welcome to the board.

You aren't alone in your sons behavior Donna. My son William makes what I call monster noises when he's happy, he jumps up and down and hums very loudly. Then when he's upset he starts saying Ahhhhh and it gets louder and louder until he's screaming. He can say anything you say. Not always clear, but he will mimic anything you want him to say. He just refuses to use the language.
I dont know what to do to encourage him to speak.

he gets more attention that way lol

and probably enjoys the faces you make when he is screaming

if he has pecs when he starts to scrteam keep showing him

make a strip with the words i want in it

show him and make him pont and say i want drink i want food i want toy

eventually he will learn that if he points to the strip he will get the response he wnats

shell

What they said

If his screams don't get him anywhere he'll make the effort to use his words sooner rather than later. The tricky bit is when you are not at home, it's important not to give into screams all the time, some of the time won't get the results you want.

Kids with autism seem to think in pictures, and accessing words is an effort, especially when they're heads overwhelmed with thoughts, sights, sounds and other sensations. For my son, it was worse during night wakings. We didn't have a diagnosis, let alone therapy, but it improved with time and constant modeling.

Hang in there.

Perhaps, he has a problem with the motor coordination (apraxia) or some sort of processing problem. Maybe he lacks the abilty to process more than one stimulus at a time and this is how he "gears" up or releases tension inorder to think how to sign or speak.

What about offering PECS as an alternative to screaming; it's grab and give.

Some kids who have difficulty with talking even though they can talk or are unable to produce needed speech fast enough use augmentative communication devices. They push the picture icons and it speaks aloud for them.

I'm new to posting a topic but not to the forum. I read the posts and find your information very helpful.

My son 2.5 has ASD and screams or grunts before using any language. He has great receptive language skills but expressively cannot use his language. It's frustrating because he does have words he knows and says, abet not always clear, but could use instead of the screams. He also has a few signs too. But this is not the communication he choses first.

I can take the transistion behavior problems, ordering, spinning, etc.. but the screams are on my last nerve. Any ideas? We do get weekly speech and OT right now. His screams are of course the worst in a new environment or when he is excited.

Thanks, Donna