3 yo ASD son screaming

[Yarnie]

Hi all

Does anyone have any suggestions about what to do about my son's constant screaming? He is not having meltdowns, just shrieking in short, very loud bursts all the time. He does it for so many reasons, I can't be bothered to list them(!) Frustration, being told "no", excitement, imitation, etc etc.

He is on his way to being verbal (i.e. can just about communicate his wants and needs in words, but no social language), although no one else can really understand him (he probably has verbal dyspraxia, so his speech is not clear).

I am guessing it is mainly because he can't find the words in the heat of the moment, but I just wanted to check I am not missing a trick. Has anyone successfully used any strategies to minimise screaming?

Thanks in advance.

I cant offer any great advice as mine went on to be verbal although he was very screechy for ages......my teeth still grit thinking about it.......still will get very loud when over excited or anxious.
I did Therapeutic Listening and found it made an immense difference to him in this and lots of other areas.

Hi porridgelover. I haven't heard of Listening Therapy before. Is there a useful site you can direct me to?

Thanks for your reply.

Is it safe to walk out of the room and leave him to it sometimes? - or can you make it safe? - and then as porridgelover look into longer term strategies - or noise reducing headphones (I'm not joking)

This is the version I used. There are lots of different versions and some people can be quite evangelical that theirs is the best. Usually carried out at home under the supervision of an OT or SaLT who has trained in it.
I think that website has a list of trained therapists.
Can be expensive.

Hi NotOnUr Nelly. It doesn't last very long - it's just a quick shriek that's over in a moment, so by the time I get up to leave, it would be over. Unfortunately, it punctuates so many things. I suspect there's nothing we can do otherthan focus on helping him with his speech and language.

We did the 'theraputic listning programme' with dd2, we did it through the NHS as part of a trial, our OT was trained as she also works as a private OT. I would highly reccomend it to any one with a child on the spectrum.