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Struggling to cope violent child.

38 replies

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 11:57

I'm a single mum to two children my 6 year old son has adhd and behaviour problems possibly asd. He is very violent toward myself and his 8 year old sister. He swears like a trooper and It's like walking through a mindfield everyday as you just don't know what will set him off. I'm hit, kicked, bitten and spat at daily. I dread each day before it has even began.

Getting him dressed, undressed, to eat or do as he's told is just such a battle. His tantrums can last for hours and nothing calms him down. I tried to walk away from him and he will follow me, I've tried putting him in his bedroom and holding the door but he trashed it and screams so loudly that next door complaint. I've tried reward charts but he rips them up. He wet himself daily mainly during a tantrum. I can't leave the house and he just runs off and won't listen so we are always stuck in the house. He can play in the garden but even now he's starting to climb the fence. I've just had enough I can't deal with him much longer.

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Niffler75 · 08/04/2020 14:57

@Riverandrocks I am so sorry, it is very very hard. 💐 Not helped by all the change and these uncertain times.
OK, I do have direct experience of these behaviours and I changed quite a lot of my parenting. Try to see the aggression and control as anxiety. The demands being placed on him outweigh what he can cope with.
Try reducing all demands as much as possible. Back off, you are not giving in. You are working on reducing your son's anxiety. For example could he stay in pajamas till he is ready to get dressed? If you get sworn at, try taking a breath and walking away. I find if my son uses bad language I have often placed a demand on him to do something too quickly and not allowed enough processing time. I usually now back off, then my son apologises and says 'you were rushing me'.
He sounds very demand avoidant. Take a look at the resources on the PDA Society website. My 9yo son has autistic traits and is demand avoidant. These approaches work really well for him.
Has your son got an EHC? Is it possible to ask his school if he can attend?
Hopefully someone else will be along with advice as well.

Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 18:39

I would agree with the PP that he does present as demand avoidant. The national autistic society may have some help. Does he respond to bribery? Is there an activity that he really likes? I would echo backing off, if he doesn’t want to get dressed, fine, if he doesn’t want to eat - leave it out for him until he is ready to eat it ( or in my case, the cat sneaks a mouthful).

It is really really hard, it’s mentally and emotionally exhausting - how does he sleep? Sorry for all the questions.

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 19:45

Thank you for the replies he can go to school but is TA and teacher isn't there and I know he would struggle with having someone new. His teacher does phone me once a week to see how things are going on and gives me activity that I could do with him.

The problem with getting dressed in the morning is he's still in nappies at night and if left he ends up leaking although being in wet close really doesn't bother him. He doesn't hardly eat as it is and is under weight he's under a dietitian. He would go days without eating. What is sleep? He's terrible with sleeping bedtime is another battle

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 19:55

That sounds really really tough! I know this is terrible, but have you and his Dr thought about medication?

I know what you mean about not knowing what sleep is (I used to have to count knives before we went to bed just in case my son wanted a bit of revenging).

Is there any activity he really likes doing?

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 20:35

Yes we have looked into trying medication but with the lockdown it's been put on hold. I've got a lock on my kitchen! He loves swimming but I couldn't manage taking him. He does swimming in school

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 21:08

Sorry - I’m running out of suggestions - does he like walking or does he prefer being on the iPad, playing footy. Do you have a paddling pool - would he like that. (I know it’s not warm, but sometimes they don’t always feel the cold)

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 21:13

Sorry I sound so awkward! Yes we have paddling pool he likes playing on his switch but I've had to limited his time on it.

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 21:20

It’s not you that’s awkward - don’t apologise. It’s difficult as every child is different, I have two with autism and they couldn’t be more different. There are new guidelines for children with ASD and you can drive them to an activity (there is a thread about taking a child to the beach - it’s linked on there).

I’m feeling a bit useless, sorry

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 21:30

Hats off to you I struggle with one with special needs! You haven't been useless at all.

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Niffler75 · 08/04/2020 21:50

@Riverandrocks Is your son on meds for ADHD? Are these affecting his appetite? Has the dietician been helpful? What does your son enjoy eating?
Sorry, 😖 lots of questions! Want to offer as much help as I can!
My son tends to gravitate towards certain foods (strong flavour, crunchy) and he hates food of certain textures. I still do get very frustrated sometimes when I have taken the time to cook a meal and it is refused. It feels like a rejection on a personal level!
Aaaargh sleep! Yes have had issues here too, more to do with getting to sleep rather than staying asleep. Melatonin could be helpful but due to Covid-19 all reviews with professionals have been paused. Really frustrating!

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 22:06

Not medicated yet he wants meant to but its been put on hold. He's always been a very picky eater pretty much only eats bread, apples, bananas, chips, plain pasta, chicken but can be fussy some days he eats it other days he won't. Yoghurts, custard.

He isn't to bad at getting to sleep but does wake up through out the night for a drink, or comes into my bed ect.

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 22:16

I was just thinking of getting him out in the open air and ‘running off steam’ and giving him something else to concentrate on rather than taking it out on you.

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 22:34

We have a garden but the only problem is he's started to climb the fence! He does play on the trampoline

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 22:40

My youngest loved the trampoline and he would just bounce in peace and quiet for hours (just in his shorts) he seemed so free - is there anywhere near by you can go?

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 23:14

We do have a grassy area just outside the house also a park and woods just down the road. I dread to take him out as he doesn't listen and runs off

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 23:21

Could you amuse him with collecting things in the woods like twigs and sticks?

It is so difficult,

Riverandrocks · 08/04/2020 23:30

Thank you I will give this a try tomorrow and if he's good he can paint them at home. Anything thats messy he loves. My washing not so much

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 08/04/2020 23:33

Sorry couldn’t have been more help.

Hope you have an OK night.

Riverandrocks · 09/04/2020 09:26

Morning been up since 5! Left his clothes out and said he can get dressed when he's ready even with wet pj he wasn't bothered about being in them it wasn't a huge battle like normal just a few tears off having to take his pj's off. Haven't managed to get any clothes on him yet! I suppose it's a start

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 09/04/2020 09:33

Sounds good so far.

Wouldn’t worry about the clothes - as mine have got older I always insist on underwear (they choose them and I make sure they are super soft). I know both of my autistic teenagers would prefer not to wear clothes at all in the house. When I bought my eldest pj bottoms a year ago we had a lot of grumbling, but I got super soft ones and he lives in them now as we are in lockdown (he is 15). When he comes home from school though we call him Tarzan due to his chosen attire.

Pick your battles.

It’s one step at a time!!

Hope you have a good day

Riverandrocks · 09/04/2020 09:55

Have tried him with just underwear but he was having non off it even offered some brand new pants but that didn't interest him. The only problem well I guess not a problem but he plays with his bits 🙈 when he's got nothing on! He won't leave it alone.

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Niffler75 · 09/04/2020 10:49

Yep, naked boy here too, bits flapping in the breeze! I think it's a sensory thing.

I notice it when my son is tired/ overloaded! Although he is learning a sense if modesty, tells us what he is doing and closes the curtains!
Just breathe and take it slowly. Remember your own self care. A dysregulated adult cannot regulate a dysregulated child.

Ilovellamasandpenguins · 09/04/2020 11:14

I like you flapping in the breeze statement - that’s exactly how it is!!

We had a rule that after they were nine if they came downstairs they had to cover their ‘bits up’.

Now they are 13 and 15 - I don’t want to be seeing flapping in the breeze, but if it was up to them, they would.

Riverandrocks · 09/04/2020 11:30

Oh god I dread when he's a teenager! Have got the paddling pool out so he's agreed to wear pants

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Ilovellamasandpenguins · 09/04/2020 11:41

Good news!