Screaming

[Guest guest]

Hi. The school should be conducting a functional assessment to

determine the function of the screaming. Your son is screaming for some

reason, not just out of the blue, and I know they mention it's during

transitions, but that needs to be determined carefully to make sure that's

really the issue. Obviously, and unfortunately, without seeing him, I can't

ethically or correctly advise you as to what to do. However, perhaps I can

offer some ideas and resources to figure it out.

First off, you need to have a good operational definition of the

behavior. As you probably know, it's critical that you describe the behavior

exactly so that everyone is consistent in identifying it. I'm sure the

screaming does get in the way of learning. Identifying the function is

extremely important -- and must be your first step -- since without knowing

that, you can't select and implement a relevant and effective intervention.

Here's some information that comes mainly from knowledge of

Iwata's work on functional analysis. You might want to search for his name

online and in behavior analytic journals such as JABA (Journal of ABA) for

more specific references.

There are generally four classes of controlling variables for undesired

behavior:

1) Socially mediated positive reinforcement: This is what we often refer to

as behavior of which " getting attention " is a function. It actually means

that the behavior has been historically reinforced by the delivery of

positive reinforcement by another person, intentionally or not, so that when

there is an EO and an SD for this type of reinforcement, the behavior occurs.

2) Socially mediated negative reinforcement: This is what we often refer to

as behavior of which escape and/or avoidance of demands is a function. It

actually means that the behavior has been historically reinforced by the

removal of aversive stimuli by another person, intentionally or not, so that

when there is an EO and an SD for this type of reinforcement, the behavior

occurs.

3) Automatic positive reinforcement: This is what we often refer to as

stimming, or any behavior of which reinforcing sensory consequences is a

function. It actually means that the behavior has been historically

reinforced by the child himself, usually when there is only inadequate

reinforcement from others available in the environment.

4) Automatic negative reinforcement: This is usually an attempt by the child

to remove pain or internal discomfort, such as an earache or headache. It

should always be ruled in or out first to prevent time being wasted on

behavior when medical attention is actually necessary.

Given all that, it's important to note that the behavior may have

multiple functions. Studying it scientifically is probably the only way to

tease out what the functions are in what situations. Obviously, you won't be

helped by my saying it could be any of those, but that's all I can say

without knowing him. Hopefully this will provide a mechanism for you to

begin to solve the riddle and help your son. I do hope this is helpful.

Good luck.

Best,

________________________________________

Burk, M.A.

Consulting Behavior Analyst (AVB specialization)

Burk Behavioral Consulting

www.BurkABA.com

BurkABA@...

[Guest guest]

Would someone clarify this for me:

Child has screaming behavior during transitions. Child redirects fairly easily

-- most times. Screaming seems to be increasing in frequency, duration.

I think behavior should go on extinction. School says because he redirects

easily, that we should do nothing. Behavior has already generalized to home and

community.

Thanks

[Guest guest]

We had a lot of success with sign language. A couple of years ago before ph

was talking ( would also get frustrated, like he just couldn't find the words)

ph would dump his plate onto the floor when he was done eating. Just like

that, dump the whole thing. When he wanted more of something, or needed to

answer a yes or no question ( he'd say no and yo, so they were so similar we'd

have a hard time distinguishing). So we taught him 5 basic signs in the

beginning, more, no, yes, all done and Thank you. This alleviated many

frustrating moments for us, hence prevented many meltdowns, and surprisingly he

remembered the sign language so well, that we introduced more. Use an ABA

therapy approach to the sign language, meaning repetition and manual guidance in

the beginning. Boy was that a fight, forcing his hands, sometimes I'd

practically have to sit on him during therapy. Then when it came time to use it

in every day situations, it was easier, because ph soon realized the reward

was to get what it was he wanted. Good luck.

Screaming

Any suggestions for constant screaming? My 4 yr old screams a lot. It

is a long, high pitch ear piercing scream. Doesn't matter if she is

happy or mad. She is non-verbal and frustrated that she can't tell me

what she wants, but does use pecs(mostly for food items). I know this

is going to be a problem when she starts back to school.

Thanks,

Elayna

[Guest guest]

Hi " sdlmfl " ,

How about if you and your team look at the screaming differently...Instead

of looking at when it occurs, has anyone looked at when it does not occur?

In addition, has an Analogue Functional Analysis been completed? Because

this assessment should be conducted in a controlled setting, it might be worth

asking the staff at the Eden school to conduct a FA.

Regarding aversives...I would reconsider the use of the baby wipes...even if

contingent application effectively reduced the behavior, as I am not sure if

the ingredients of the wipe (whatever makes them wet) are safe, if

accidentally ingested.

Best of luck.

Jodi Mazaleski, M.S., BCBA

[Guest guest]

I know you emailed me privately, but I’m sharing my answer with the list

because this is a common problem and could help someone else.

Xiao,

This may actually be a good sign and means your son was helped tremendously

by the antivirals The die off usually lasts about 2- 3 weeks for most kids.

You son is probably over die off by now and what you are seeing may be

behavioral rather than medical.

Is he a patient of Dr. G’s or Dr ’s? Did you check with them? If

not, Kathy on’s clinic can sometimes help patients from other

countries phone appointments if they have a local doctor following them.

This involves faxing blood results and regular consultations with her

medical staff. She is the director of the New York Clinic and is wonderful.

The contact number of the New York clinic is 315-773-5405. Their website is

http://www.nnyautismcenter.com. I am not a medical doctor and only know

what works for my kid, but I can tell you what might be happening

behaviorally.

Sometimes our kids pick up where they left off. New behavior problems can

actually be a sign of getting better as odd as that sounds. How old was

your son when he started exhibiting symptoms of autism? All kids need to go

through the same stages of development. Was he was two when he started to

deteriorate and become autistic? If so, he will start developing like a two

year old which doesn’t look so good at age eight. Our kids sometimes do at

eight what other kids do at two. This makes it seem like a behavior issue

but he is really just starting to develop again. One indication of this

happening is if he seems more aware of the things around him and actually

cares about his surroundings. However, that doesn’t mean you let him get

away with stuff. Now you have to start treating him more like a normal

child. (But a two year old rather than an eight year old).

The worst time of development with autistic and normal kids is when they

know what they want but can’t talk yet. They are so frustrated at this

time. Before he didn’t care about what was going on around him. Not so

anymore. Think about how it would feel if you see a candy bar and want it

and can’t get it or tell anyone to give it to you. Especially if it is

chocolate. That would kill me. I think I might even start screaming to get

it.

Just try to stay calm and praise him when he is doing something right.

Ignore the negative behavior as much as possible (easier said than done).

If he is misbehaving use ABA principles to stop this behavior. You might go

to another room to withdraw your attention. They want our attention more

than anything. I remember locking myself in my room and not coming out

until he was calm. He of course was banging on the door and screaming. I

attached an article on the top ten things to know to parent your child.

Unlike before, it is now possible to teach your son that screaming is not

appropriate. He will be able to be taught what is acceptable behavior. Do

you have any other children? When they were two how did you show them not

to act that way? Don’t think because he is autistic that he doesn’t need

rules and discipline. Hope this helps.

Best,

Marcia

Top Ten Rules for Parenting Your Child

by Marcia Hinds

10. Start acting like your kids are normal. Don't give up and don’t accept

their condition. Treat them like they understand everything you say. Don't

stop talking to them even though they give you no indication one way or

another that they understand you. (They do, even though they don't respond

appropriately or give you eye contact.)

9. Never talk negatively about them in front of others even if you think

they can't hear you. Remember many have supersonic hearing until their

immune systems are regulated. Even though we are all tired and overtaxed,

they need to know their parents believe in them and would do anything to

help them.

8. Don't avoid stressful situations or meltdowns--they have to follow the

same rules as the rest of the world. When they do meltdown (and we all know

they will) don't make excuses for them. It is embarrassing, but get over

it. Always do what is best for your child and learn to not worry about what

other people think. (Most people don't understand our situation and think

we are horrible parents anyway. Some are convinced our kids are just

spoiled and out of control.)

7. Learn to ignore what they are doing wrong and praise or reward what they

do correctly. I know this is difficult with our kids, because most of what

they do is inappropriate. But find that one thing they do right during the

course of the day. It may be hard to find, but keep looking. As far as

eliminating undesirable behaviors, don't try to fix everything at once.

Pick the one thing they do that drives you out of your mind and only work on

eliminating that behavior. When that is mastered, pick another.

6. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Reinforcement must be

immediate for all kids, especially children. They can't be rewarded at

the end of the day or given a prize at the end of a good week. (A long time

ago Maurice told me to use what they love to reward. That was

great advice. For my child physical things were difficult (catching a ball,

walking, skipping etc. We would set up an obstacle course and at the end of

the course there was a computer game. My kid loved anything with computers.

The computer was one of his main therapists. He only played educational

games, no mindless drivel.)

5. Don't get so engrossed in the medical care, therapy and ABA that you

forget they are kids. Kids need to go to the park and be hugged by mom and

dad. Sometimes when it would all get to be too much, we would stop therapy

and take a vacation for a week. We would just have fun together and I could

be mommy instead of the lead therapist.

4. When you are at the end of your rope, feel that there is no hope, and

have trouble continuing, fake it. When I was depressed and had terrible

thoughts, I would crank on the rock and roll and the entire family would

start dancing around the house. Even though I didn't feel it, eventually I

did feel better when I faked it.

3. Listen to all the experts, but trust your gut. No one knows your child

like you do. You live this every day. When a doctor told me I shouldn't

have my son's tonsils out, I did it anyway. After that, his constant strep

was gone and he wasn't sick all the time anymore.

2. Stop wasting time being mad that you have to teach your child what every

two-year-old learns easily and naturally. Stop feeling sad for yourself and

your child. You don't have time for that. There is too much work to be

done.

1. And most importantly, you need to be more stubborn than they are!!!!

From: xiao xu [mailto:xh16882003@...]

Sent: Thursday, February 17, 2011 10:33 PM

lbharris@...; hindssite@...; klimas_bill@...;

thecolemans4@...; rngcoggs@...

Subject: Screaming

Dear parents,

Please forgive me to send you off list because I got problem to post to the

group but really need your help soon.

My 8 year old boy has been on Valtrex for 8.5 months, Nizoral for 5.5

months, and Celexa for 2.5 months. Before we started to have him for those

medications, he was a calmer and sweet child and never screamed.

He started to scream when took Valtrex about two weeks. His screaming became

much more and loud after started to take SSRI.

Since he took Celexa, he screamed without reason and anywhere. Especially

when the dose was increased to 1/2 tablet (from ¼) 25 days ago, he screamed

like crazy and deafening even caused himself cough. His mainstream class

teacher and some parents have complained about this behavior. I concern if

the school let him continue at mainstream next school year.

Moreover, he currently always used both or one of the hands to covers his

ears even I didn't hear any sounds (sometimes probably airplane but it was

not loud) when was doing seatwork at class. I have to try several times to

force him pull his hands down and keep writing. It sounds like he has

tinnitus (I guess).

Also, he squints a lot even closes his eyes and shakes his head. He never

had this behavior before.

He has been on Celexa for 2.5 months. Can a die off continue long as this?

Why he scream so much?

I'll appreciate your advice and help!

Xiao

[Guest guest]

Marcia,

I love your list! Thanks for sharing it!

-Jen

> Top Ten Rules for Parenting Your Child

>

> by Marcia Hinds

>

>

>

> 10. Start acting like your kids are normal. Don't give up and don't accept

> their condition. Treat them like they understand everything you say. Don't

> stop talking to them even though they give you no indication one way or

> another that they understand you. (They do, even though they don't respond

> appropriately or give you eye contact.)

>

> 9. Never talk negatively about them in front of others even if you think

> they can't hear you. Remember many have supersonic hearing until their

> immune systems are regulated. Even though we are all tired and overtaxed,

> they need to know their parents believe in them and would do anything to

> help them.

>

> 8. Don't avoid stressful situations or meltdowns--they have to follow the

> same rules as the rest of the world. When they do meltdown (and we all know

> they will) don't make excuses for them. It is embarrassing, but get over

> it. Always do what is best for your child and learn to not worry about what

> other people think. (Most people don't understand our situation and think

> we are horrible parents anyway. Some are convinced our kids are just

> spoiled and out of control.)

>

> 7. Learn to ignore what they are doing wrong and praise or reward what they

> do correctly. I know this is difficult with our kids, because most of what

> they do is inappropriate. But find that one thing they do right during the

> course of the day. It may be hard to find, but keep looking. As far as

> eliminating undesirable behaviors, don't try to fix everything at once.

> Pick the one thing they do that drives you out of your mind and only work on

> eliminating that behavior. When that is mastered, pick another.

>

>

> 6. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Reinforcement must be

> immediate for all kids, especially children. They can't be rewarded at

> the end of the day or given a prize at the end of a good week. (A long time

> ago Maurice told me to use what they love to reward. That was

> great advice. For my child physical things were difficult (catching a ball,

> walking, skipping etc. We would set up an obstacle course and at the end of

> the course there was a computer game. My kid loved anything with computers.

> The computer was one of his main therapists. He only played educational

> games, no mindless drivel.)

>

> 5. Don't get so engrossed in the medical care, therapy and ABA that you

> forget they are kids. Kids need to go to the park and be hugged by mom and

> dad. Sometimes when it would all get to be too much, we would stop therapy

> and take a vacation for a week. We would just have fun together and I could

> be mommy instead of the lead therapist.

>

> 4. When you are at the end of your rope, feel that there is no hope, and

> have trouble continuing, fake it. When I was depressed and had terrible

> thoughts, I would crank on the rock and roll and the entire family would

> start dancing around the house. Even though I didn't feel it, eventually I

> did feel better when I faked it.

>

>

> 3. Listen to all the experts, but trust your gut. No one knows your child

> like you do. You live this every day. When a doctor told me I shouldn't

> have my son's tonsils out, I did it anyway. After that, his constant strep

> was gone and he wasn't sick all the time anymore.

>

> 2. Stop wasting time being mad that you have to teach your child what every

> two-year-old learns easily and naturally. Stop feeling sad for yourself and

> your child. You don't have time for that. There is too much work to be

> done.

>

> 1. And most importantly, you need to be more stubborn than they are!!!!

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

This is so great. Thanks for posting again.

>

>

> Marcia,

> I love your list! Thanks for sharing it!

> -Jen

>

> > Top Ten Rules for Parenting Your Child

> >

> > by Marcia Hinds

> >

> >

> >

> > 10. Start acting like your kids are normal. Don't give up and don't

> accept

> > their condition. Treat them like they understand everything you say.

> Don't

> > stop talking to them even though they give you no indication one way or

> > another that they understand you. (They do, even though they don't

> respond

> > appropriately or give you eye contact.)

> >

> > 9. Never talk negatively about them in front of others even if you think

> > they can't hear you. Remember many have supersonic hearing until their

> > immune systems are regulated. Even though we are all tired and

> overtaxed,

> > they need to know their parents believe in them and would do anything to

> > help them.

> >

> > 8. Don't avoid stressful situations or meltdowns--they have to

> follow the

> > same rules as the rest of the world. When they do meltdown (and we

> all know

> > they will) don't make excuses for them. It is embarrassing, but get over

> > it. Always do what is best for your child and learn to not worry

> about what

> > other people think. (Most people don't understand our situation and

> think

> > we are horrible parents anyway. Some are convinced our kids are just

> > spoiled and out of control.)

> >

> > 7. Learn to ignore what they are doing wrong and praise or reward

> what they

> > do correctly. I know this is difficult with our kids, because most

> of what

> > they do is inappropriate. But find that one thing they do right

> during the

> > course of the day. It may be hard to find, but keep looking. As far as

> > eliminating undesirable behaviors, don't try to fix everything at once.

> > Pick the one thing they do that drives you out of your mind and only

> work on

> > eliminating that behavior. When that is mastered, pick another.

> >

> >

> > 6. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Reinforcement must be

> > immediate for all kids, especially children. They can't be

> rewarded at

> > the end of the day or given a prize at the end of a good week. (A

> long time

> > ago Maurice told me to use what they love to reward. That was

> > great advice. For my child physical things were difficult (catching

> a ball,

> > walking, skipping etc. We would set up an obstacle course and at the

> end of

> > the course there was a computer game. My kid loved anything with

> computers.

> > The computer was one of his main therapists. He only played educational

> > games, no mindless drivel.)

> >

> > 5. Don't get so engrossed in the medical care, therapy and ABA that you

> > forget they are kids. Kids need to go to the park and be hugged by

> mom and

> > dad. Sometimes when it would all get to be too much, we would stop

> therapy

> > and take a vacation for a week. We would just have fun together and

> I could

> > be mommy instead of the lead therapist.

> >

> > 4. When you are at the end of your rope, feel that there is no hope, and

> > have trouble continuing, fake it. When I was depressed and had terrible

> > thoughts, I would crank on the rock and roll and the entire family would

> > start dancing around the house. Even though I didn't feel it,

> eventually I

> > did feel better when I faked it.

> >

> >

> > 3. Listen to all the experts, but trust your gut. No one knows your

> child

> > like you do. You live this every day. When a doctor told me I shouldn't

> > have my son's tonsils out, I did it anyway. After that, his constant

> strep

> > was gone and he wasn't sick all the time anymore.

> >

> > 2. Stop wasting time being mad that you have to teach your child

> what every

> > two-year-old learns easily and naturally. Stop feeling sad for

> yourself and

> > your child. You don't have time for that. There is too much work to be

> > done.

> >

> > 1. And most importantly, you need to be more stubborn than they are!!!!

> >

> >

> >

> >

>

>

[Guest guest]

>

> This is so great. Thanks for posting again.

> >

> >

> > Marcia,

> > I love your list! Thanks for sharing it!

> > -Jen

> >

> > > Top Ten Rules for Parenting Your Child

> > >

> > > by Marcia Hinds

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > > 10. Start acting like your kids are normal. Don't give up and don't

> > accept

> > > their condition. Treat them like they understand everything you say.

> > Don't

> > > stop talking to them even though they give you no indication one way or

> > > another that they understand you. (They do, even though they don't

> > respond

> > > appropriately or give you eye contact.)

> > >

> > > 9. Never talk negatively about them in front of others even if you think

> > > they can't hear you. Remember many have supersonic hearing until their

> > > immune systems are regulated. Even though we are all tired and

> > overtaxed,

> > > they need to know their parents believe in them and would do anything to

> > > help them.

> > >

> > > 8. Don't avoid stressful situations or meltdowns--they have to

> > follow the

> > > same rules as the rest of the world. When they do meltdown (and we

> > all know

> > > they will) don't make excuses for them. It is embarrassing, but get over

> > > it. Always do what is best for your child and learn to not worry

> > about what

> > > other people think. (Most people don't understand our situation and

> > think

> > > we are horrible parents anyway. Some are convinced our kids are just

> > > spoiled and out of control.)

> > >

> > > 7. Learn to ignore what they are doing wrong and praise or reward

> > what they

> > > do correctly. I know this is difficult with our kids, because most

> > of what

> > > they do is inappropriate. But find that one thing they do right

> > during the

> > > course of the day. It may be hard to find, but keep looking. As far as

> > > eliminating undesirable behaviors, don't try to fix everything at once.

> > > Pick the one thing they do that drives you out of your mind and only

> > work on

> > > eliminating that behavior. When that is mastered, pick another.

> > >

> > >

> > > 6. Consistency and positive reinforcement are key. Reinforcement must be

> > > immediate for all kids, especially children. They can't be

> > rewarded at

> > > the end of the day or given a prize at the end of a good week. (A

> > long time

> > > ago Maurice told me to use what they love to reward. That was

> > > great advice. For my child physical things were difficult (catching

> > a ball,

> > > walking, skipping etc. We would set up an obstacle course and at the

> > end of

> > > the course there was a computer game. My kid loved anything with

> > computers.

> > > The computer was one of his main therapists. He only played educational

> > > games, no mindless drivel.)

> > >

> > > 5. Don't get so engrossed in the medical care, therapy and ABA that you

> > > forget they are kids. Kids need to go to the park and be hugged by

> > mom and

> > > dad. Sometimes when it would all get to be too much, we would stop

> > therapy

> > > and take a vacation for a week. We would just have fun together and

> > I could

> > > be mommy instead of the lead therapist.

> > >

> > > 4. When you are at the end of your rope, feel that there is no hope, and

> > > have trouble continuing, fake it. When I was depressed and had terrible

> > > thoughts, I would crank on the rock and roll and the entire family would

> > > start dancing around the house. Even though I didn't feel it,

> > eventually I

> > > did feel better when I faked it.

> > >

> > >

> > > 3. Listen to all the experts, but trust your gut. No one knows your

> > child

> > > like you do. You live this every day. When a doctor told me I shouldn't

> > > have my son's tonsils out, I did it anyway. After that, his constant

> > strep

> > > was gone and he wasn't sick all the time anymore.

> > >

> > > 2. Stop wasting time being mad that you have to teach your child

> > what every

> > > two-year-old learns easily and naturally. Stop feeling sad for

> > yourself and

> > > your child. You don't have time for that. There is too much work to be

> > > done.

> > >

> > > 1. And most importantly, you need to be more stubborn than they are!!!!

> > >

> > >

> > >

> > >

> >

> >

> I do love Marcia`s direction on our kids. I am going to copy and put on all

refridgerators so they all will read this in my family.

So many in our family that need to be reminded to do all these things including

me.

Thanks

Carole

>

>

>