how do you teach 3rd grade autistic kids to stop peeling stickers off walls, bottles, and toys?

Question

The boy is 8 1/2.

Answer 1

My daughter, who is now 14 and on the autism spectrum, went through a phase of picking and peeling stuff, too, when she was about the same age. In my daughter's case, if she had a scab from a scratch or a minor wound, she would pick at that until she was left with a huge sore - then it would start to heal, and she'd start picking again! This urge to pick is a form of self-stimulating behavior, similar to bouncing or twirling or slamming doors repetitively, and engaging in these repetive, ritualistic behaviors actually makes them feel calmer. By focusing on a very narrow issue ("that sticker") and having control over it ("look what happens when I pick it") and having that repetitive sensation (pick pick pick pick, and it does the same thing, every time!! How nice for kids who don't like change!!), it comforts a child with autism when they are having trouble making sense of the rest of the world or are being bombarded with too many sights, sounds, directives, etc.

I agree with neytbabe37's suggestion of having a place where it is "OK" to pick at labels or whatever. Those vinyl clings used for holiday decorations on windows, placed on a white board come to mind...and then reinforce, through social stories (also quite useful for a variety of things) that "We don't pick the labels (or the paint, or the wallpaper, or whatever). When we feel like we want to pick at something, we go to the pick board (or whatever you want to call it) and peel those things, instead."

As my daughter got older and developed other coping mechanisms to deal with the anxiety that seems to go along with having autism in a neurotypical world, the urge to "pick" at things seemed to strike her less and less. She has not had a serious "picking" problem for at least the last two years. So hang in there - manage it for now, and hopefully he will grow out of it as his coping skills improve.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Remove the stickers before hand. If you find them removing stickers you must leave in place, take the item away. In the case of glue bottles, packages for art supplies...I would gie each child a small amount in an alternate, sticker free container. For now, things that must keep stickers for future use should be stored in either a secured cabinet or out of reach. As for stickers from the wall..if the child removes it, if possible have them replace it. Explain you need the sticker to help with________ and that it will have to be replaced. I would also work in sticker peeling or refraining from sticker peeling into what ever your current behavioral plan is...a mark or small reinforer for every set amount of time they leave the stickers alone. And finally, if this child loves stickers, you may want to purchase one of the books out there that will allow him to reposition sticker to his heart's content and use that as a reward..it will show him that he can use the stickers in an appropriate setting and way.

Answer 3

I agree with the last answer. He may also be interested in something else that could distract him. I worked with an 8 year old autistic boy this year, and he got excited about things pretty easily. One of his favorites was drawing, and also reading/looking at picture books. If he was doing something he shouldn't be doing (he often tried walking out of the classroom without the teachers noticing), I'd quickly ask him about his new drawing or to read to me from the book he had. Immediately he'd forget he was leaving in the first place and showed me all his cool things.

I won him over this way. After doing this a few times, he'd be so excited to see me and show me what he was doing. He'd always run up and hug me :)

Answer 4

Have you heard of "Social Stories?" It is the creation of a special educator/researcher, Carol Gray, in 1991. The idea is to write a story, using the child's name as the 'narrator.' It is not difficult to do, but it is difficult to explain. Go to the website www.thegraycenter.org and read some of them.

It will sound somewhat like, "My name is ______, and I go to ___________Elementary School. In my classroom, I have stickers and other decorations on the wall. My teacher puts them there to make the room pretty and to help us remember ___________(fill in the blank.) It is important for those stickers to remain on the wall. I will try not to peel the stickers off the wall. My teacher will put a note on my desk to help me remember."

Children on the AS usually have good memories and follow directions literally. You might need to repeat the story over and over before it is effective, but this method DOES work!

Answer 5

You may find it easier to take the stickers off so that he can't. If you really want to teach him to leave it on, try giving him a treat every time he shows you a sticker that is still where it is supposed to be. Positive displacement is a very powerful training tool.

Answer 6

Create a peel and stick board. Most autistic children hadve the need to touch. OCD is not something you can change in them. Create a haven for him to do it and when he starts to do it where he should not tell him it's not ok and give hime the peel and stick board. You can't stop it and neither can he.