stratagies for autistic child help!

[kittycat68]

Ds keeps running out of school/home when he kicks off has done this now four times in the last 2 weeks on one occassion had to call police as couldnt find him! when he calms down we talk about saftey and that he must not run off and he says sorry wont do it again, until the next time!anyone able to give some advice here please

Is there anyone in school he can go to when he starts to feel angry/annoyed who could take him to a designated place to calm down (like a TA maybe). Likewise, could you create a "chill out" space at home? Somewhere he knows he can go to be alone until he has calmed down. It could just be corner of a room with a few cushions and something he has has an interest in (books, toys or the like). Giving him this alternative to running away might help? I'm sorry I don't have alot of experience of children with autism, so this might be rubbish advice! xx

Hi Kitty,There are a few things I would do to try and help. Whats causing him to kick off? could the cause be eliminated.

Anothersleep has a great idea about a safe place. Some of the pupils in my school use my room as a "safe base" for them. They can calm down without question and when they are ready they can talk.

MAybe a reward chart say a tick for staying in the room and a wee reward at the end of the day.

Help card- is given out to pupils to show the teacher when they are getting stressed. Teachers can then give them distraction such as a wee delivery of an empty envelope to another teacher to get the pupil out of class

MAybe even not fussing when he runs as the whole DRAMA might be a thrill for him.

Hi,
You may be able to get some help on its a support forum for carers of people with autism and aspergers

thnaks will have a look at this link!

hi Kitty my DS is ASD at home as my DS does this i literally have to lock the doors ect to stop him doing just this ,at MS school they set aside a very small room with cushions ect no books or toys at school as when angry he will throw them about and the school would want you to repace them as not his personal property, but a chill out zone not too overly comfortable or he may decide oh i hate math/ science whatever so much and learn if he kicks off they will let him go there just to get out of it, the other is PECS (picture exchange cards) that they can show whan angry , tearful , stressed ect as this is what they do at ASD SS. www.parentsofdisabledchildren.co.uk/.../website-for-pecs-cards-t-4326.html

Maybe try drawing a large coloured thermometer numbered 1 - 5 and helping him learn how to regulate his stress levels?

If he has a certain interest, maybe adapt it to that so he likes using it. You'll have to teach him how to use it so model it on yourseflf - in real situations so that he can see you getting stressed (would be great if you could film it, but you may end up hitting the camera man!) and pointing to a higher number. Point is that you talk about or be comforted at a mid level (2 or 3) than boiling over at number 5!

He can use it at home and at school. Schools should welcome these in the classroom as most children could benefit even if they don't seem to get stressed (we are all human!)

Also - safe places are brill... Ear def.enders can really help if he has sound sensitivities. A teacher once taught me how to 'squash' a massaging technique that de-sensitises the body. I often do it to myself (squash my temples) for a quick pressure release! That sounds awful sorry!

Good luck

Hi Kitty,

It sounds like DS is near the more able end of the spectrum. I've got a 9 yr old son diagnosed with AS. We've found that finding out what the trigger is (as suggested above) and then getting him to suggest possible solutions works well. You need to work together to get a list of a few to start with and note them all down no matter how silly. Then go through each one and eliminate those that won't work. This approach helps not just the problem, but promotes a sense of selfworth within him and gives him a framework for solving problems. I've been surprised at the solutions that AG has given that I'd never thought of. I also use it to nip in the bud an argument between his sister and him. I can now say to them that there's a problem, get them to work out what it is and say they're good at solving problems, and they go into the suggestions step. It can take time and patience as children need to get used to the process, but pays off in the long run.

Hope you get the right answer soon.