My son does dangerous things like climbing on the wall unit, pouring his juice on electronics, pushing the garage door opener, then running under it, etc. I've tried time out, and everything else, but he will repeat the dangerous activity only a few seconds after being told to stop. He is 3.4 years old and addicted to cords and door handles.
2006-06-19 15:39:11 · 7 answers · asked by photoguy1967 3 in Education & Reference ➔ Special Education
Each child is different and will have different needs, but I would recommend trying several things.
First, you might consider looking into why he is engaging in the behaviors you mentioned. Make clear and objective descriptions of the behaviors that are concerning you. Then, make some notes whenever the behavior occurs. You could make a chart with three columns: (A) What happens before the behavior, (B) What the behavior was, and (C) What happened after or as a result of the behavior.
You may find that it gets him attention from adults, or that it gets him a time-out (maybe he is overwhelmed in the situation and wants to be removed). If you see a pattern from the information you collect, you could teach him other ways to get attention or whatever he is gaining from doing these behaviors. These could include, tapping someone on the shoulder, asking for attention, handing someone a card that says, "attention please" or "all done" (to get permission to leave an area), etc. Also, make sure that you are giving him praise or a reinforcer (something he likes) when he is engaging in positive behavior.
To find out more about this technique, I would suggest speaking to your school district's autism specialist, if they have one, or special education teachers (if your son is in school). It is called "functional analysis." This is an Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) technique. You may want to seek the advice of an ABA professional that can get to know your son and his needs. However, I would give one word of caution about this. Make sure that your ABA person also has a background in special education and child development, because many don't. This is very important.
Best of luck and I hope this helps you!
2006-06-20 16:14:40 · answer #1 · answered by special-education-teacher 3 · 4⤊ 1⤋
At this point, you need to pull in some help from an ABA (Applied Behavior Analysis) professional (hopefully, your son's preschool teacher is educated in either ABA and/or other Autism methodology such as TEACCH...if not, you can have that training for his teacher written in to his next IEP).
Here are some sites to give you an idea of what is done to try to help situations like this:
http://www.abaresources.com/ (site designed by a parent with a child with Autism, who used ABA successfully in the home)
http://www.behavior.org/autism/ (scroll down a little on the main menu, to the links for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) and Autism
http://www.clevelandclinic.org/health/health-info/docs/3600/3671.asp?index=12068&src=news
http://www.autismtoday.com/karen.htm
Telling him to stop won't do it. You need to analyze his behavior to find out what his perceived gain is. Since Autistics perceive the world differently than we do, that is a tough call... which is why having a trained professional help you is so important.
It's a long road, but well worth it. Many Autistics, especially those that have normal or better intelligence, are leading very productive adult lives. Never give up on your little guy!
2006-06-20 01:11:17 · answer #2 · answered by spedusource 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to just be repetitive and keep at him no matter what. Its consistency that pays off. Might not be for a long time BUT it will pay off. Also get your son a IEP through your school distract, do it now don't wait tell he starts Kinder. Ask for a ABA trained aide (Applied Behavior) They teach kids how to deal and act with all situations. We have been fighting for one from the beginning they just gave it to us.....unfortunately they say are son is to old now for one (he's 8 DXed with Aspergers Syndrome) they did that on purpose! Have you ever been on the "parents helping parents" website? That's a great place to go for any info!!! Good Luck :)
2006-06-19 16:05:28 · answer #3 · answered by twestdpixi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hi i also have an autistic child and yes i know how frustrating it can be to dicipline them, although my daughter never did what your child has done, maybe you could make him sit at the table with his juice if he wont then dont let him have the juice. And about the cords and door knobs maybe you could get some sort of toys even make some with lots of cords and door knobs on them, hope this could of been of some help
2006-06-19 15:55:11 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do you have a State Mental Health Center? Autism is a developmental disability but some consider it a mental illness.
There is help available. Where do you live? I can try to help you as I am on several websites dealing with Autism. My son is Aspergers and we have weathered many storms.
2006-06-19 15:55:45 · answer #5 · answered by goldielocks123 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
At his age, he should be doing ABA. If you are not familiar with this, please check it out ASAP. I am assuming your child is in some type of school program and has an IEP. Your local agencies should be able to help you out. Hang in there.
2006-06-19 15:48:21 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think this is a question that goes far beyond the purview of this group.
Ask a professional.
2006-06-19 15:43:27 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋