Behaviour issues

[joloufriend]

My 12 year old son has autism,he has violent episodes where he will attack his dad and myself he kicks,punches,scratches bites and will even headbutt. He smashed the television several times and throws anything he can get his hands on, he doesn't care who he hurts and if you walk away he will just follow you to continue. School are no help, his doctor just smiled and said that's part of being autistic but didn't have any other advice. He has not done any school work at all during lockdown and if you mention it he kicks off again. I don't know what to do next or who to talk to I am scared he is going to seriously hurt somebody. Does anybody know who I can call next. Thank you.

[Hidden]

My son had challenging behaviour and went to specialised autism school. They really helped and got him interested in learning and his challenging behaviour went away. We found his problem was communication, they taught him Makaton and PEC (picture exchange communication) where he could express his need, bubble or outdoors or sensory ipad. Because they concentrated on photo, pictures he found this fun and easy to understand exchange picture fro real object or activity..it has helped greatly and doing different activities drumming, music therapy, speech therapy - there was things he learnt. Now he does colouring, stickers and letter tracing when bored

[Lollyshrekmum]

I'm sorry to hear what you are going through my son also has ASD. Try calling parent line they might suggest who you can call for extra help. You could also try a second doctor to see if they can refer you to CAMHS to see if they can help? Just a suggestion take time out for youself listening to music or meditation it's a difficult situation in lock down. Take care xx

[kevinmhickson]

That sounds really difficult. I think you are referring to behaviour that is more extreme since the lockdown? If so, how much understanding does your son have of this situation. It must be a huge disruption for his routines and expectations (and for you too!). There are some good social stories out there to put this information across - could be part of the answer for a more peaceful home!

Kevin

[kevinmhickson]

If the behaviour pre-dates the lockdown, have you ever recorded the violent incidents? Noting what was happening just before the incident, what happened during the incident and what were the consequences.

[Jasperspace]

hello I'm 34y/o when I was a teen I was distructive towards my family this is all normal for someone with autism you can & can't change this. If you change this then it may change other things in his life if you can put up with it i grew out of my angry moods at age of 20y/o

I still have communication difficultly & still use PEC. I still don't quite understand emotions & facial expressions.

my mum did a good job in keeping me chilled out playing games, colouring in, exercise in the garden, cold showers < cold showers I think were for my epilepsy seizures.

I have had support from CAMHS, Mental Health, disabilities social services, Autism Initiative's, Crossroads.

it is hard for us all with autism but its even more difficult that we are not allowed to do the things we want to throughout the (covid-19 pandemic)

although Autism users do have a bit more awareness to allowed out with moral support for exercise than. Non autistic people

Autism initiatives & CAMHS was the best for me as there was alot of fun things to do. Autism initiatives was an eye opener fun days out lovely support workers & great software to engineer thos difficult facial expressions & support anger management...

just think how different autism life is towards non autistic life.

some of us can't work in a job & evolve into having our own familys.

autism is difficult for familys to adapt with but its a special peace of life..