To be at wits end about this?

[CymaticPrincess88]

Okay. I'm at my wits end. Ds (6yo) will not stop ripping wallpaper off his walls. He's even chipping his way through the plaster underneath. I don't know what to do to get him to stop!

I'm private rent and I cant afford to decorate over and over again. He's chipping the plaster away so even if I do somehow manage to replaster it (I don't know how and cant afford to hire someone) he will just do it again?

Anyone have any experience of this. DS shows some traits of autism but does not have an official diagnosis.

Bump

It's a difficult one OP, Especially since you mention autism I think you need to divert his fiddly fingers to something else. Does he do this when he's in bed or just generally when he's there playing?

When does he do this? Is it a reaction to something? What sanctions do you have in place for when he does do this?

Have you tried any fidget toy type things? If he's doing it while in bed maybe a weighted blanket?

Figet toys. Cork board wallpapered over, replace the papering regularly. Actually you're probably too late for fidget toys now its established.

I think I'd be screwing perspex sheets to the walls in your shoes. But I'm not private rented.

Sharing a bedroom, get something else that gives the same sensory feeling like a papered board or a box full of books like telephone directories or the yellow pages/ catalogues for him to rip up. He might get the same sensory audio and noise.

When does he do this? Is it a reaction to something? What sanctions do you have in place for when he does do this?

Do you have any experience with kids with autism or sensory difficulties? Sanctions don't work, he's not being naughty.

Does he do it at certain times? Maybe ban him from his room in the day and make him wear gloves at night (ones that only you can remove).

Its tricky if it's an autism related behaviour. My son chews on his all clothes and makes holes in them, chews the buttons off etc. Nothing really stops or distracts him and we just have to replace clothes regularly
Perhaps something else to fiddle with like a one of those fiddle bracelets might help.

I was going to ask if he had autism!

You'll have to redirect everytime and give something else to keep his hands occupied. Something that replaces the picking need.

Perhaps those art things where you scratch off the black to reveal colour underneath?

I'm so sorry, I should have clarified, he does this at night time after he has gone to bed. He should be sleeping but instead he does this, I don't know if he's doing it before sleep or waking up and doing it. I've never caught him in the act so to speak.

Does he have a weighted blanket? Could you transfer his fiddling elsewhere? Does he have problems falling asleep?

No but I will look into getting one.

Strip the paper, skim over the walls and tosh some paint over the top. Wallpaper if you move.

Can't pick at paper if there isn't any there to pick at, after all.

He's picking off the plaster as well

And one of the best fiddle toys I've found is a bundle of cable ties in different sizes and colours, all fastened together so they can't go round fingers or arms, easily washed, smooth texture on one side, rough on the other, flappy or bendy or flat all at once - and cheap. Very, very cheap.

He's got to the loose bits in the plaster through picking at the loose bits of paper. That's why I said skim over it as well, as that gives a nice, smooth surface that can't be picked at.