ASD son attacking me

[SplashSplashh]

We are only a couple of days into the summer holidays and already I’ve seen a decline in DS behaviour. DS (10) is a big lad and profoundly autistic/non verbal. The last few days he’s been pinching and scratching me on my arms, my arms are covered in scratches. He’s quite happy when he does this, we could be cuddling and singing songs and he’ll suddenly lash out. He grabs me if he walks past me too.

He's done this in the past but only since he broke up for the summer holidays has he started doing it frequently.

He's also begun to refuse to go in taxis or busses and I don’t drive. I had a cry this morning as everything seems so hard and I don’t know how I’m going to get through the next 6 weeks (he does stay with his Dad for two nights a week while I work)

Has anyone gone through similar? Thanks!

Big hugs. My DS is13 with profound autism. He often attacks without warning. Mine has taken to grabbing my boobs between the hitting. It could be a sensory thing or he knows it annoys me and gives him attention. Have you got visual timetables at home? It’s probably the lack of structure from school as holidays are so strange for some kids. Are there any activities he likes? Could you build a structured day? Does he wear ear defenders on the bus? What about headphones and music? Do you have a timetable to show him where he’s going? My DS doesn’t like going out so we will be confined to the house as he’ll be on his iPad.

You have my total sympathy. Holidays are really tough and this one is probably the worst as it’s so long. Can he access Sen holiday clubs? I’d also advise getting a carers assessment if you’ve not already had one.

Thanks for replying. We’ve had a carers assessment and he does go to respite every two weeks overnight. We don’t have a visual timetable, I’ll look into that!

He does also have a PA who takes him out once a week for a couple of hours.

He’s very giggly and laughs when he does it, he also goes for my boobs and the thin skin on the underside of my arms 😣

I think the lack of a routine has really affected him, he likes going to school and when he comes home his routine is the same every night, in the holidays it’s random.

He did attend a holiday club last summer but kids only get allocated 2 sessions in 6 weeks and this time his name has dropped off their list which is annoying!

Sending solidarity to you too, it’s a long time for them to be out of routine!

I’m grateful for my part time job (3 days a week) otherwise I’d go loopy!

I wonder if the refusal for buses and taxis is he doesnt know where you are going and its all out of routine.

I understand he is profoundly autistic and non verbal but does he understand visual timetables or even now/next language. Would a picture of bus and destination do anything for him?.

Sorry that doesnt help with the physical behaviour. My sons OT was always saying to find stuff that gave the same sensory feedback. So squishy balls and something to scratch. I cant say it was hugely successful but just in case it helps. (My son isnt profoundly autistic but he is at a special school and had challenging behaviours at that age - so im not talking from the same place as you are in)

Big hugs to you. I hope you get sime support or more advice from people in a more similar boat.