Any BTDT advice/resources (x-post)

[*Lulu*]

for a child with high functioning autism who self injures when frustrated?

 

When Bug was smaller we would use a sitting holding restraint, (easy for me and reduced chance of him hurting himself or me), but now that he is getting taller I am having difficulty using this one.

 

I have made a note to speak to his OT about it on our next visit, but I wanted to pick the Hive's collective brain first. I eventually want him to move beyond him needing restraint into self-regulation but I recognize that age 7-8 is not when it's gonna happen.

 

Unfortunately, this is the age when we experienced the greatest uptick in regulation issues with Punk and I see signs of the same with Bug. Bug is verbal until he gets upset, frustrated, angry, or too excited. Then communication becomes more like guesswork and grunting.

 

Sorry for the ramble here; just looking for a way to make this maturation waiting period easier for everybody.

[OneStepAtATime]

No specific suggestions but  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  :grouphug:  and best wishes.  

[Wishes]

Any sensory items he likes?

There's a lot of chews and mouth toys. Pressure items. We double taped fabric swatches with different textures to the bottom of desks or tables for some of my students.

Maybe he could do some heavy gross skills motor work?

 

 

https://funandfunction.com

 

[imagine.more]

Yes I was thinking sensory items as well. Disclaimer: I don't have much experience with autism, just some sensory issues and kid-quirks but this is my brainstorming...

 

Maybe make a sensory corner in his room....a basket of chew toys, pressure items, and heavy pillows, maybe a weighted blanket/vest, some of those sensory bottles (filled with liquid and glitter and glued shut...kinda reminds me of a lava lamp in being soothing), maybe writing utensils if he is able to do that and can be trusted with it. Ikea has like tent things where, if it helps, it could even be a quiet, dark area for him. Curtains can achieve a similar feel. 

 

If he's more sensory-seeking in the gross motor sense maybe a gym mat in the basement with an exercise ball and small trampoline, etc. would be good. I know even my neurotypical 7 year old goes running as a coping mechanism when he loses his temper. We talked about options for what to do when he's upset or angry (besides losing his temper, etc) and came up with that he can either exercise (running being a good option), cry, or write his feelings down. He usually chooses to run around the basement, lol! :) Sometimes he writes. Both really help calm him down. If your son isn't quite up to writing (many 7 year olds just aren't honestly) then maybe you could print and laminate pictures of feelings and make like a story board so he could express himself nonverbally. 

 

For example "I am (velcro a picture of mad/sad/frustrated/annoyed child here) because (velcro picture or word that explains a few common reasons he might feel mad or frustrated or sad)." 

[geodob]

I do wonder what you mean by self-regulation?

As it seems more like suppressing these feelings?

Which don't just go away, but get bottled up.

 

Where the critical thing, is to develop ways to let off the pressures of being: upset, frustrated, angry or excited?

Which are actually acquired skills, which we need to find practical ways to express and exhaust these feelings.

 

Though something as simple as a Ball, can be helpful in this regard.

As it can be thrown, hit and kicked !

[*Lulu*]

Wanted to resurrect this thread to update:

 

We are finishing up a 6 month therapeutic push of Speech, OT, PT, and play therapy and have seen MASSIVE improvements in self-regulation!!

 

We will be able to go down to play therapy only, with OT methods we have learned being implemented at home. 

[happycc]

Good Occupational therapy makes a world of a difference!!!