Punchbag- good or bad?

[surreygirl1987]

My son is autistic and has ADHD. He occasionally lashes out at school. It is rare but he does hit his peers, on average around once a half term. He is in Year 1.

He is impulsive and gets angry easily. We're trying to think of strategies to help him manage this. Someone has suggested a punching bag at home might help, for him to use as a release for emotions. However, I'm concerned that this could have the opposite effect - that it will teach him to use his fists when he is upset or angry / somehow train him to punch people as he will get used to it. We did try him on judo but he didn't enjoy it and we didn't force him to continue.

Can anyone advise? Would a punchbag be a good or bad thing for him? Thanks so much.

PS grateful for any alternative ideas we can try at home. We've considered diet (he was low in iron, so he has supplements, plus other supplements/vitamins), he does a kids' journal before bed each evening, gets plenty of sleep, plenty of exercise (and we've just decided we'll take him out for a few minutes run around the field next to our house each morning which might help set him up for the day), very little screen time, firm consequences and reward system, and we're going to trial ADHD medication soon. If there's anything else we can try from home (school is a whole other matter and would need a whole different thread - he has an EHCP) we'd be grateful.

For us, a punch bag helps with regulation. You could also look at a weighted vest, bodysok, resistance bands, swing, trampoline.

Does DS’s EHCP include sensory OT? And any other support with emotional regulation?

We have boxing gloves and pads and we can make it into game. When he was small he didn’t need to wear the gloves, but now he’s a bit bigger we need him to wear the gloves or it hurts. He’s quite a peaceable creature generally though, and I don’t think ever hit at school (just us at home when he was overwhelmed from school). I think I would have the similar concerns to you if he had used his fists on other kids. We just presented it as another activity that might help him feel better and I don’t think he ever used language that worried me. Usually he was in fits of giggles when using the pads as we’d move them about when he wasn’t expecting it or make him punch in funny directions.

Yes... supposed to be seeing an ELSA and also doing 'heavy work' as breaks. I need to follow up with the school to check that everything on his EHCP is being done, but that's a different thread! Thank you.

What about direct SIOT input?

Sorry, what is SIOT? I googled it and it's coming up with all sorts of things!

Sensory Integration Occupational Therapy. Sometimes called SIT instead. OT with a sensory integration focus with an OT who has training, qualifications and experience in sensory integration.

He has an OT but not specifically SIOT - that's not on his EHCP. Thanks though. Looking for ways my husband and I can help from home really.

Sensory OT input would help at home as well as school. And improving school life often improves home life too.

Thanks - home life is pretty great, but looking for things we can do with him at home that will improve his wellbeing overall.

“He is impulsive and gets angry easily.”

I meant it could improve ^this.

Yeh - at school!
Thanks for your help...

If you don’t think DS might need help with emotional regulation at home (even if linked to school) why are you considering a punch bag to use as a release for emotions at home?

Okay - I think it's time for you to move on. Thank you for your attempts at help anyway.

And to answer your question, it is well known that what a parent does at home can often improve a pupil's ability to regulate in school. They are not entirely separate worlds, which dont impact upon each other. What a parent does with a child at home can have a hugely positive (or negative!) impact on a child's day, whatever setting they are in. For instance, feeding my child well, getting him to to yoga in the morning before school, not rushing him, listening to calm music on the way to school, can all improve my son's day in school. I asked for advice on what I can do personally for my son at home - whether a punchbag has been found to help or not. We don't have an issue with aggression at home but he does sometimes get aggressive at school, where demands are obviously higher. Of course, I'm not at school with him, so I'm looking for things I can do AT HOME with him to help. I hope that helps answer your questions.

it is well known that what a parent does at home can often improve a pupil's ability to regulate in school.

I haven’t said otherwise.

They are not entirely separate worlds, which dont impact upon each other.

That is exactly the point I was making! And thus improving one often improves the life in the other too.

And I suggested things that you could do AT HOME!

Okay. Like I said:

I think it's time for you to move on. Thank you for your attempts at help anyway

It is a public forum. You don’t get to police where others can and can’t post.

Okay. Like I said:

I think it's time for you to move on. Thank you for your attempts at help anyway

And, like I said it is a public forum. You don’t get to police where others can and can’t post.

I think it's time for you to move on. Thank you for your attempts at help anyway.

Repeating it doesn’t give you any more authority.

Okay. But I think it's time for you to move on. Thank you for your attempts at help anyway.

🙂

I'm sorry you had to police your own query for help @surreygirl1987 This journey with our neurodivergent kiddos (I have a 5 year old dragon) is hard enough emotionally, mentally, and physically. If only other adults would be kind enough to respect when to step back and just encourage not dictate. It's not personal. We're not rejecting you. We're looking for support and space to share. Not attacks. Be kind!! Good luck to all on this journey to raise good humans. Be kind everyone!

I did not attack the OP . Neither did I dictate anything.