I’m glad the med is helping your youngest. 
I know there’s a stigma attached to medications, but there are times when all the therapies in the world won’t help alone. I always imagine my granddaughter’s mind being like quickly flipping through the pages of a thick magazine… words and pictures flashing at such a fast pace that she’s unable to process them all at once. I try to put myself in her mind and in the mind of my 6 year old grandson, and it’s fascinating and terrifying at the same time to even attempt to understand how their brains work.
1 Like
Hello,
My son is in the middle of being assessed , I would love to be added to the private group , i would love to get some information and advice , he is non verbal , and has severe behavioural issues , screams and throws tantrums sometimes all day long, it’s hard and exhausting , I know once he is diagnosed I will have help but I’m feeling helpless
2 Likes
I also have to add that he is quite aggressive and a bit violent , he pinches, hits, kicks , and he is only 3 but has the strength of a 9 year old.
2 Likes
It looks like one of the girls sent you an invite. 
It’s really tough going through the assessment process, but you’ll have lots of help and tools once he’s diagnosed. Hang in there. We’re here for you.
2 Likes
We went through that with my granddaughter, but her ABA therapy is working wonders on the not-so-nice behaviors.
1 Like
Yes I requested the private group , thanks ladies.
His assessment is on the 17th, I just feel like I can’t take care of him properly , like I’m failing ; I know once I have the assessment I will get all the help , it’s just been such a long hard processs 
I’m praying they can change the behaviour , praying!
2 Likes
You’re not failing. Having an autistic child is extremely difficult. We lose ourselves to it, just trying to do what’s best for them. It’s going to get better.
Have you figured out how to accept the private invite?
2 Likes
You are NOT failing. You are doing very good getting him assessed and working toward the help you need. My Michael (grandson) was non-verbal until almost 4. The turning point for him was the special therapy he qualified for after assessment. Speech is still very difficult for him. He has good days and bad. He gets frustrated and lashes out.
2 Likes
My daughter just sent me this from one of her best friends whose son has some behavioral issues. It made me cry. Being kind creates a ripple effect that is far reaching.
4 Likes
As you all know my son is going through to be assessed for ASD , his assessment is actually this Thursday and just received the phone call for his early interventionist.
This process has been a super long wait so I’m so thrilled it is this week.
I’m just wondering if anyones littles have had issues with screaming , like bloody murder scream , whenever they don’t get what they want , when something doesn’t go correctly or during any transition. He sometimes also becomes violent ; pinching , hitting , kicking & sometimes he tries to head butt. Sometimes throws things.
Does any one have any suggestions on how to handle this behaviour in the mean time before I get the help needed for him, I rent the main part of a house and a couple girls and her boyfriend rent the upstairs , they have been super understanding with me when it comes to him , I’m just trying to ease the noise a bit for myself and them as well.
Any suggestions , tips or advice is greatly appreciated 
7 Likes
I have the same problem with my daughter who is 11 the only advice I can give is to try and stay as calm with your talking to him because our talking and behaviour can make things a lot worse very quickly
6 Likes
I will said that what Conor said is one of the best way, try to be calm and dont touch him sometimes that made everything worse.
Try to explain the reason why is not happening and the solutions.
This is a lot about patience something that most of the time we don’t have and well the change of routine or when something doesnt go the way we want to. I don’t know how to explain the way that we feel about that.
4 Likes
Does he have a morning routine? Even though my granddaughter can go into a fit at any given time, when her morning starts off calm, it usually follows her at least until after school. I apologize for not remembering how old your son is, but a visual schedule board has worked wonders for my 5 year old chicklet. It’s interactive… once she completes a chore, she gets to put a magnet on the board. There are magnets for things like getting dressed, brushing teeth, putting on shoes, etc. It’s helpful to keep them occupied with productive activities. These boards have magnets and prompts for everything from morning to bedtime, and she’s been using hers since age 3.
Staying patient and calm when they freak out is so important. I will get down on my chicklet’s level, so she’s not having to look up at me, then I let her know it’s ok to be upset, and I ask what I can do to make it better. Sometimes that’s a tight hug, sometimes it’s alone time for her away from everyone, and at times it’s just listening to her crying. No matter what, it’s so important that we stay calm. I know that’s easier said than done when their screams are tearing through you. It’s even harder when there are witnesses to their behavior. Ignore everyone except your son. It’s important that he knows he has your undivided attention.
I’m so happy his assessment is this week. Finally, right?! Hang in there, Kaci. 
2 Likes
My younger son, while not diagnosed with ASD experienced a lot of the same behaviors when he was about 7
A lot of it came from a lack of stability a story for another day. But he would even in school not want to leave the classroom for other things even recess he would just want to sit on a bench and not play. He wouldn’t even like to change rooms at home from the living room to the kitchen, if he was in his room he’d take a leak in the corner so he didn’t have to leave his room
We started with a Occupational Therapist, who helped a lot, a big thing that helped his behaviors was actually a set routine, which is difficult when your a single parent, I know but hear me out a second,
His usual was get up at 7am get dressed brush teeth, have his things together for 7:15 where he could walk up to the bus stop with myself and the neighbors to go to school, at school they would have breakfast. And head to class, he got home at 3:30 and first things first was homework. If he needed assistance I would help him, we tried to have this done by 5:30 or 6, and dinner was at 6:30, after dinner get bathed change of clothes get clothes ready for next day. That was usually about 7:30, from that time on was free for all, he was allowed to play his games, watch TV, we could do something together, etc until 9 pm, at 9 pm was bed time he was allowed to pick one movie to watch and it was lights out, he usually fell asleep around 930 ish, weekends were for fun, that’s when we could let loose and reward good behaviors for the week. Such as going on an adventure or favorite ice creams stuff like that.
Tantrums where not rewarded nor where they welcomed he still had them, but as the regiment went on, they slowly regressed. He’s now 14 he still isn’t much of a chatter, I mean getting him to text back is a challenge even if it’s for him, but the reward changed he now plays sports and is in martial arts conditional to his grades stay good and his home behaviors have to be on point, it’s a lot I know, but it’s helpful, shit I’m a pretend adult and I struggle unless I’m scheduling.
3 Likes
To touch on violent behavior… that was nearly a constant until my granddaughter began ABA therapy. There used to be some controversy surrounding this therapy, but I’ve never seen any cruel “drills” in my granddaughter’s. Her therapy is highly adapted to her needs, and her therapist even includes her 2 year old sister, so that chicklet’s behavior towards her can be addressed, too.
Once your son is assessed, you’ll be offered many different tools to help with behavior.
3 Likes
Schedule Schedule Schedule! Oh my gosh I couldn’t have survived without one. I think the biggest thing I learned early on was to make everything I possibly could predictable. Even the consequences are predictable. Age appropriate, an emotion chart is very helpful as well. I love this one but you can make your own as well
2 Likes
You all are amazing thank you!!
He is 3 and he is starting to be a little more vocal and follow direction better , he goes to his dads every other weekend .
I think routine as you all said will be my best bet , thank you all for your suggestions 
It is very difficult and hard but I am willing to do anything to make his life easier for him and us !
5 Likes
Exactly! It makes all our lives easier. 
We made emotions books to keep at each of our homes, and they have one at school, too. They helped so well, that she doesn’t need them as often now. But in that first year to year and a half after assessment, the books helped tremendously.
1 Like
It’s important that whatever methods and therapies implemented for him be used consistently between yours and his dad’s homes. Your son will have a deep sense of security if the same actions and tools are used by both of you. Routine and schedule is helpful for all of you.
I know it’s hard. I had a lot of learning to do in the past few years. It will become easier.
3 Likes
Routine is key in my opinion, when my wee girl gets holidays from school it always a very hard time for her for a few days
3 Likes