Summer holidays and increased challenging behaviour in my autistic son

[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.

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

Hes 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!

The transition to holidays can be tough. Do you have a routine for holidays?

Can DS communicate in non-verbal ways?

What support does DS have?

How is DS leaving the house on foot (or in a wheelchair or SN buggy)?

Have you had social care assessments? A carer’s assessment for you and an assessment of DS’s needs by the children with disabilities team?

Has DS had an OT assessment?

For the pinching/scratching, you might want to look at some clothing that has bite resistance sleeves. Though not so helpful in warmer weather.