Caregiver of newly diagnosed toddler

[crzytweety]

Hello,

I am new to this. I have been caring for a boy, almost three, he was just diagnosed, though I had believed he was all along. But, how do you tell a mother that you think her child is autistic? Anyway, I could use some help. I know some about it, but, I am sure there is a lot that I don't know. The biggest thing right now is calming him down after he starts his "episode" of crying. I have tried everything, from food, drinks, toys, books, hugs, clapping, just to name a few. He can go for hours, and it is hard to explain to the other children that I have done everything that I can for him. I do daycare in my home. I have had this child for almost a year now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He has just started therapy, so right now they don't know his triggers either. The only one that I know of is real bears on T.V.
Thanks in advance. :)

[dixielandgrl]

Hi, My son is three and diagnosed in July. We are dealing with screaming. The only possible suggestion I can think of is what does he like. Our son loves water. He can't be near a fountain or a pool. If he gets overloaded, we play in the sink a while. If there is a noise he likes you can use that. Here I add a caution: If what your are seeing is his version of childish willfulness, you may end up accidently reinforcing the behavior. We did.

I have begun reinforcing his behavior when he stops screaming with water sounds. Now sometimes he is legitimately freaked out and there is nothing to be done about it. I wish that were not the case, but it is. We are coming up with his own sunday school class because of his size and the effect he was having on other kids.
good luck!
http://www.togetherforautism.org/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2221#




[QUOTE=crzytweety]Hello,

I am new to this. I have been caring for a boy, almost three, he was just diagnosed, though I had believed he was all along. But, how do you tell a mother that you think her child is autistic? Anyway, I could use some help. I know some about it, but, I am sure there is a lot that I don't know. The biggest thing right now is calming him down after he starts his "episode" of crying. I have tried everything, from food, drinks, toys, books, hugs, clapping, just to name a few. He can go for hours, and it is hard to explain to the other children that I have done everything that I can for him. I do daycare in my home. I have had this child for almost a year now. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. He has just started therapy, so right now they don't know his triggers either. The only one that I know of is real bears on T.V.
Thanks in advance. :)[/QUOTE] :eek:

[Greenclovers66]

Make sure nothing is bothering him - sensory issues are a real problem for children with autism. Make sure there isn't a smell, sound or something in his view that is disturbing him - it could be one of the most simple things that wouldn't even be thought of.....

[richardh]

Hi Dixielandgr,
Our son is also three and diagnosed autistic. When he was young, less than one years old, he can also be calmed easily with water sound. So when he gets fussy, all we do is just to bring him near the tap and he just relax ! He still likes to go near fountains, pools. What a coincident ! :D
Nowadays, he is calmed down by music (or food), like Wiggles, Elmo CDs. We are seeking music therapy and he enjoyed it alot.

Regards.


[QUOTE=dixielandgrl]Hi, My son is three and diagnosed in July. We are dealing with screaming. The only possible suggestion I can think of is what does he like. Our son loves water. He can't be near a fountain or a pool. If he gets overloaded, we play in the sink a while. If there is a noise he likes you can use that. Here I add a caution: If what your are seeing is his version of childish willfulness, you may end up accidently reinforcing the behavior. We did.

I have begun reinforcing his behavior when he stops screaming with water sounds. Now sometimes he is legitimately freaked out and there is nothing to be done about it. I wish that were not the case, but it is. We are coming up with his own sunday school class because of his size and the effect he was having on other kids.
good luck!
http://www.togetherforautism.org/forums/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=2221#




:eek:[/QUOTE]