What to do during spells or having less of them.

[Guest guest]

My 13 year old brother Jeff, who has , has these major,

major spells from time to time when things don't go his way. For

instance, the other day my mom took Jeff to get some ice cream, and

they ate it in the parking lot. When they had finished, my mom

turned the car on to leave, and Jeff got really pissed off. Either

he wanted more ice cream or simply did not want to leave. He

probably wanted more ice cream as the kid can eat like no person I

have ever seen, and most of the signs he knows are food related

(more, pizza, cracker, drink, etc). Anyway, like I mentioned, he got

really mad that they were leaving and starting attacking my mom. He

was in the back seat and took off his seat belt and went after her.

He ripped her shirt, scratched her face, and just would not give up.

We call these episodes " spells, " and both of my parents currently

have bruises as a result from them. So, obviously my mom has to

defend herself, which is not very easy as my brother makes about two

of her. The thing is, when she defends herself to get Jeff off of

her, he gets even more made. He will try to attack more, and when

unsuccessful, will start screeming and just start having a fit. And

it goes on for 10 minutes or so.

He had a spell yesterday at my goddaughter's 1st birthday, which

meant that once again my dad had to leave with Jeff and miss out on

another family function. But, you will never hear my dad complain

it. My hero, for sure.

Well, I thought maybe someone here may have picked up a trick or two

that we haven't already read or thought of to help us during these

spells. Anyone have advice on how we might be able to make them less

often, last for a shorter amount of time, and/or less aggressive.

-

[Guest guest]

,

I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see that what now is

cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old brother. Jake does not usually

take no for an anwers and often throws a fit if he does not get his way.

Luckily, we know that he knows better and are working with a behavior therapist.

It looks like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on any

medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for our kids and

not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller coaster of ups and downs.

The behavior therapist just recent taught my daughter to cross her arms in front

of her and turn her back to Jake when she has had enough. Luckily, he is

smaller and not at a hitting stage...yet. This works to help him back off.

Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

Holly

[Guest guest]

We also " disengage " . That is when Elie refuses to follow a direction and

freezes - refuses to listen, spaces out, etc after we have told him what

needs to be done - we do not keep talking. We stop talking and open a

book. I used to walk out of his line of sight but that is too dangerous now

in public. So I just sit down and wait him out. Always a book in my bag so

I am not so nervous about how long it takes him to comply. We once sat for

2 hours in a 's because Elie wanted another frosty. So after 2 hours

he decided to listen. HE did not get his frosty and we went home. We also

did not go back to 's for a couple of weeks AND we used social stories

during that time to refresh appropriate behavior.

> ,

> I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see that what now

> is cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old brother. Jake does not

> usually take no for an anwers and often throws a fit if he does not get his

> way. Luckily, we know that he knows better and are working with a behavior

> therapist. It looks like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on

> any medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for our

> kids and not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller coaster of ups

> and downs. The behavior therapist just recent taught my daughter to cross

> her arms in front of her and turn her back to Jake when she has had enough.

> Luckily, he is smaller and not at a hitting stage...yet. This works to help

> him back off.

> Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

> Holly

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Hi

I can hear your frustration with your brother, I'm sure my kids feel this with

my daughter at times too. ?It has to be very frustrating to watch your brother

hurt your parents who you love.?

I would suggest getting as far as safely possible when he starts this, no one

can help if he harms them.? I would also try to remove as much stimulation as

possible.? I know its hard in the car, but turn off the engine, radio, etc. so

there is as little noise and distraction as possible.? Trying to yell at him to

stop or even gentle talking can put him into more sensory overload.? Believe me,

I would be tempted to yell, so that isn't a judgment of any feelings you might

have, yelling just won't help at that moment.

At home we won't make a room totally dark, but very close to that, we don't want

to scare just remove stimulation.? We also turn off any noise, and get her to a

safe place so she can't accidentally hurt herself (more my daughter's issue, but

still going out of control could lead to self harm so we get her out of the

bathroom and into a bedroom) Then, I would not take him back for ice cream

(anywhere)?or to that particular place (for anything)?unless he shows some

remorse for what happened.? doesn't say " I'm sorry " , but she puts her

finger up to her cheek to say I'm sorry.? He can take responsibility for his

actions, although often times it will not be until later.? I would show him the

bruises, scratches, etc. later and point out that he did this (not in a mean

manner, but in an infromative manner).? He might not even remember.? I know when

I have felt incredibly angry, my memory of that time isn't great, and I don't go

out of control and hurt others, so I would not expect more from him, but use it

as a teaching moment when he can take it all in.

I know others have mentioned medication, and I would second having his

medications checked.? Maybe too much or too little, maybe it isn't helping with

his particular chemistry at all.? If one thing worked for all of us they

wouldn't have different medications.? I would also encourage alternative

beahviors for when he gets this angry/frustrated/etc.? When he is NOT angry,

what are some other ways you can share how you feel without hurting someone

else?? If he can't speak or sign or PECS something then I wuld give him ideas,

but if he can do it, I would encourage him to do it, he is more likely to try

something he has come up with.

I hope you've found some help here.

('s mom, 9, DS-A)

What to do during " spells " or having less of them.

My 13 year old brother Jeff, who has , has these major,

major spells from time to time when things don't go his way. For

instance, the other day my mom took Jeff to get some ice cream, and

they ate it in the parking lot. When they had finished, my mom

turned the car on to leave, and Jeff got really pissed off. Either

he wanted more ice cream or simply did not want to leave. He

probably wanted more ice cream as the kid can eat like no person I

have ever seen, and most of the signs he knows are food related

(more, pizza, cracker, drink, etc). Anyway, like I mentioned, he got

really mad that they were leaving and starting attacking my mom. He

was in the back seat and took off his seat belt and went after her.

He ripped her shirt, scratched her face, and just would not give up.

We call these episodes " spells, " and both of my parents currently

have bruises as a result from them. So, obviously my mom has to

defend herself, which is not very easy as my brother makes about two

of her. The thing is, when she defends herself to get Jeff off of

her, he gets even more made. He will try to attack more, and when

unsuccessful, will start screeming and just start having a fit. And

it goes on for 10 minutes or so.

He had a spell yesterday at my goddaughter's 1st birthday, which

meant that once again my dad had to leave with Jeff and miss out on

another family function. But, you will never hear my dad complain

it. My hero, for sure.

Well, I thought maybe someone here may have picked up a trick or two

that we haven't already read or thought of to help us during these

spells. Anyone have advice on how we might be able to make them less

often, last for a shorter amount of time, and/or less aggressive.

-

[Guest guest]

Thank you for the reply, Holly. Yes, he has seen several BTs over

the years, and that has helped. Instead of crossing his arms, like

your daughter, we tell Jeff, when he is not having nice hands, to put

his hands in his pockets or behind his back.

Please don't get me wrong, Jeff if not bad around the clock. Sure,

he needs constant supervision to make sure he doesn't destroy

whatever room he is in--not because he is mad or wants to be bad, but

but he sincerely enjoys it--but, he behaves every now and again.

I just got off the telephone with my dad (we were talking, again,

about possibly having a house built that would be designed with

Jeff's need in mind) and he told me a somewhat funny thing that

happened this evening with him and Jeff. Now, this just goes and

shows you how freaking smark Jeff is. You'll remember how earlier I

mentioned how Jeff really enjoys tipping, throwing, flipping, and

moving things--the bigger and heavier the better. Well, Jeff likes

to move his mattress out of his room (the bed frame was destroyed

ages ago so now only a mattress sits on his bedroom floor) and just

drag it around the house. When it is time to go to bed, he and my

dad move it back into his room. So, this evening, Jeff and my dad

were bringing the mattress back into Jeff's room with my dad in the

lead, or so my dad thought. Jeff had another idea on his mind. He

took this opportunity to quickly and with speed that Owens

would have to admire, to rush to the family room and tip over one of

the chairs.

Yep, Jeff just likes to tip things. Don't know why, but he sure gets

a kick out of it.

-

Isn't it funny how

>

> ,

> I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see that

what now is cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old

brother. Jake does not usually take no for an anwers and often

throws a fit if he does not get his way. Luckily, we know that he

knows better and are working with a behavior therapist. It looks

like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on any

medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for

our kids and not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller

coaster of ups and downs. The behavior therapist just recent taught

my daughter to cross her arms in front of her and turn her back to

Jake when she has had enough. Luckily, he is smaller and not at a

hitting stage...yet. This works to help him back off.

> Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

> Holly

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

,

Very, very, very much appreciated. I almost can't wait until the

next spell so I can dim the lights, turn off the radio, and eliminate

any other stimulation. I see Jeff at least every Saturday, and about

one Saturday in four he will have some sort of spell, so hopefully

your advice helps.

Thanks again,

-

>

> Hi

>

> I can hear your frustration with your brother, I'm sure my kids

feel this with my daughter at times too. ?It has to be very

frustrating to watch your brother hurt your parents who you love.?

>

> I would suggest getting as far as safely possible when he starts

this, no one can help if he harms them.? I would also try to remove

as much stimulation as possible.? I know its hard in the car, but

turn off the engine, radio, etc. so there is as little noise and

distraction as possible.? Trying to yell at him to stop or even

gentle talking can put him into more sensory overload.? Believe me, I

would be tempted to yell, so that isn't a judgment of any feelings

you might have, yelling just won't help at that moment.

>

> At home we won't make a room totally dark, but very close to that,

we don't want to scare just remove stimulation.? We also turn off any

noise, and get her to a safe place so she can't accidentally hurt

herself (more my daughter's issue, but still going out of control

could lead to self harm so we get her out of the bathroom and into a

bedroom) Then, I would not take him back for ice cream (anywhere)?or

to that particular place (for anything)?unless he shows some remorse

for what happened.? doesn't say " I'm sorry " , but she puts her

finger up to her cheek to say I'm sorry.? He can take responsibility

for his actions, although often times it will not be until later.? I

would show him the bruises, scratches, etc. later and point out that

he did this (not in a mean manner, but in an infromative manner).? He

might not even remember.? I know when I have felt incredibly angry,

my memory of that time isn't great, and I don't go out of control and

hurt others, so I would not expect more from him, but use it as a

teaching moment when he can take it all in.

>

> I know others have mentioned medication, and I would second having

his medications checked.? Maybe too much or too little, maybe it

isn't helping with his particular chemistry at all.? If one thing

worked for all of us they wouldn't have different medications.? I

would also encourage alternative beahviors for when he gets this

angry/frustrated/etc.? When he is NOT angry, what are some other ways

you can share how you feel without hurting someone else?? If he can't

speak or sign or PECS something then I wuld give him ideas, but if he

can do it, I would encourage him to do it, he is more likely to try

something he has come up with.

>

> I hope you've found some help here.

>

> ('s mom, 9, DS-A)

>

>

> What to do during " spells " or having less of

them.

>

>

>

>

>

>

> My 13 year old brother Jeff, who has , has these major,

> major spells from time to time when things don't go his way. For

> instance, the other day my mom took Jeff to get some ice cream, and

> they ate it in the parking lot. When they had finished, my mom

> turned the car on to leave, and Jeff got really pissed off. Either

> he wanted more ice cream or simply did not want to leave. He

> probably wanted more ice cream as the kid can eat like no person I

> have ever seen, and most of the signs he knows are food related

> (more, pizza, cracker, drink, etc). Anyway, like I mentioned, he

got

> really mad that they were leaving and starting attacking my mom. He

> was in the back seat and took off his seat belt and went after her.

> He ripped her shirt, scratched her face, and just would not give

up.

> We call these episodes " spells, " and both of my parents currently

> have bruises as a result from them. So, obviously my mom has to

> defend herself, which is not very easy as my brother makes about

two

> of her. The thing is, when she defends herself to get Jeff off of

> her, he gets even more made. He will try to attack more, and when

> unsuccessful, will start screeming and just start having a fit. And

> it goes on for 10 minutes or so.

>

> He had a spell yesterday at my goddaughter's 1st birthday, which

> meant that once again my dad had to leave with Jeff and miss out on

> another family function. But, you will never hear my dad complain

> it. My hero, for sure.

>

> Well, I thought maybe someone here may have picked up a trick or

two

> that we haven't already read or thought of to help us during these

> spells. Anyone have advice on how we might be able to make them

less

> often, last for a shorter amount of time, and/or less aggressive.

>

> -

>

>

>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Jake does this also. He will knock something over and then laugh hysterically.

Even in his room, he will move things around, drop things to the floor. I think

at times this is a sensory issue for him. Other times, it is for attention.

Same thing with Jake....he is smart! I think most of our kids are way too

bright for their own good! ha! Jake can get open just about any lock. He

knows he has to have keys to use the car or the riding law mower and one day he

tried to get the battery our of his little jeep and bring it to me.

Holly

Re: What to do during " spells " or having less of them.

Thank you for the reply, Holly. Yes, he has seen several BTs over

the years, and that has helped. Instead of crossing his arms, like

your daughter, we tell Jeff, when he is not having nice hands, to put

his hands in his pockets or behind his back.

Please don't get me wrong, Jeff if not bad around the clock. Sure,

he needs constant supervision to make sure he doesn't destroy

whatever room he is in--not because he is mad or wants to be bad, but

but he sincerely enjoys it--but, he behaves every now and again.

I just got off the telephone with my dad (we were talking, again,

about possibly having a house built that would be designed with

Jeff's need in mind) and he told me a somewhat funny thing that

happened this evening with him and Jeff. Now, this just goes and

shows you how freaking smark Jeff is. You'll remember how earlier I

mentioned how Jeff really enjoys tipping, throwing, flipping, and

moving things--the bigger and heavier the better. Well, Jeff likes

to move his mattress out of his room (the bed frame was destroyed

ages ago so now only a mattress sits on his bedroom floor) and just

drag it around the house. When it is time to go to bed, he and my

dad move it back into his room. So, this evening, Jeff and my dad

were bringing the mattress back into Jeff's room with my dad in the

lead, or so my dad thought. Jeff had another idea on his mind. He

took this opportunity to quickly and with speed that Owens

would have to admire, to rush to the family room and tip over one of

the chairs.

Yep, Jeff just likes to tip things. Don't know why, but he sure gets

a kick out of it.

-

Isn't it funny how

>

> ,

> I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see that

what now is cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old

brother. Jake does not usually take no for an anwers and often

throws a fit if he does not get his way. Luckily, we know that he

knows better and are working with a behavior therapist. It looks

like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on any

medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for

our kids and not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller

coaster of ups and downs. The behavior therapist just recent taught

my daughter to cross her arms in front of her and turn her back to

Jake when she has had enough. Luckily, he is smaller and not at a

hitting stage...yet. This works to help him back off.

> Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

> Holly

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

I was thinking about securing the furniture to the wall like on a

houseboats and then someone told me their kid ripped the furniture

off the wall and messed up the plaster. has destroyed my lamps,

not holes in the wall, messed up tables, etc. Yes he thinks it is

funny. The little stinker. Cyndi B

>

> Jake does this also. He will knock something over and then laugh

hysterically. Even in his room, he will move things around, drop

things to the floor. I think at times this is a sensory issue for

him. Other times, it is for attention. Same thing with Jake....he

is smart! I think most of our kids are way too bright for their own

good! ha! Jake can get open just about any lock. He knows he has

to have keys to use the car or the riding law mower and one day he

tried to get the battery our of his little jeep and bring it to me.

> Holly

>

> Re: What to do during " spells " or having

less of them.

>

>

> Thank you for the reply, Holly. Yes, he has seen several BTs over

> the years, and that has helped. Instead of crossing his arms,

like

> your daughter, we tell Jeff, when he is not having nice hands, to

put

> his hands in his pockets or behind his back.

>

> Please don't get me wrong, Jeff if not bad around the clock.

Sure,

> he needs constant supervision to make sure he doesn't destroy

> whatever room he is in--not because he is mad or wants to be bad,

but

> but he sincerely enjoys it--but, he behaves every now and again.

>

> I just got off the telephone with my dad (we were talking, again,

> about possibly having a house built that would be designed with

> Jeff's need in mind) and he told me a somewhat funny thing that

> happened this evening with him and Jeff. Now, this just goes and

> shows you how freaking smark Jeff is. You'll remember how earlier

I

> mentioned how Jeff really enjoys tipping, throwing, flipping, and

> moving things--the bigger and heavier the better. Well, Jeff

likes

> to move his mattress out of his room (the bed frame was destroyed

> ages ago so now only a mattress sits on his bedroom floor) and

just

> drag it around the house. When it is time to go to bed, he and my

> dad move it back into his room. So, this evening, Jeff and my dad

> were bringing the mattress back into Jeff's room with my dad in

the

> lead, or so my dad thought. Jeff had another idea on his mind. He

> took this opportunity to quickly and with speed that Owens

> would have to admire, to rush to the family room and tip over one

of

> the chairs.

>

> Yep, Jeff just likes to tip things. Don't know why, but he sure

gets

> a kick out of it.

>

> -

>

> Isn't it funny how

>

>

> >

> > ,

> > I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see

that

> what now is cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old

> brother. Jake does not usually take no for an anwers and often

> throws a fit if he does not get his way. Luckily, we know that he

> knows better and are working with a behavior therapist. It looks

> like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on any

> medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for

> our kids and not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller

> coaster of ups and downs. The behavior therapist just recent

taught

> my daughter to cross her arms in front of her and turn her back

to

> Jake when she has had enough. Luckily, he is smaller and not at a

> hitting stage...yet. This works to help him back off.

> > Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

> > Holly

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

Your Dad could build a box frame with a heavy piece of thick heavy plywood and

cross sections of strong wood over the plywood bolted to the floor,cinderblocks

inside and another heavy piece of plywood over the blocks, the mattress and or

with box frame sits on the plywood but tight down into the frame. Your brother

would not be able to move the frame or take the mattress out. My son had a twin

car bed that he outgrew. We gave it to another list member with a similar

problem. My husband bolted the bed to the floor and used the cinderblocks

inside. The bed has not moved nor has the mattress in a few years. It's a quick

fix rather than hauling a mattress everyday.

My husband's cousin has DS and years ago, did the same. She tipped over the

kitchen table, tv's etc. She was nine yrs old at the time, years before we had

any children. At that time most with DS were institutionalized. There was

little information to no information and medications were not as they are today.

The Mom was rather passive and gave her little boundaries. The older adult

sisters stepped in and used behavior modifications, structured schedules and

refused to give in to her. She stopped tipping and destroying after a few months

but it was a family effort. My husband is a contractor and spent weeks repairing

the damage in that house including replacing the bathroom sink that she ripped

out of the wall. I remembered that they would take her into the backyard pool to

clam her. She loved to swim.

Charlyne

wrote: I was

thinking about securing the furniture to the wall like on a

houseboats and then someone told me their kid ripped the furniture

off the wall and messed up the plaster. has destroyed my lamps,

not holes in the wall, messed up tables, etc. Yes he thinks it is

funny. The little stinker. Cyndi B

>

> Jake does this also. He will knock something over and then laugh

hysterically. Even in his room, he will move things around, drop

things to the floor. I think at times this is a sensory issue for

him. Other times, it is for attention. Same thing with Jake....he

is smart! I think most of our kids are way too bright for their own

good! ha! Jake can get open just about any lock. He knows he has

to have keys to use the car or the riding law mower and one day he

tried to get the battery our of his little jeep and bring it to me.

> Holly

>

> Re: What to do during " spells " or having

less of them.

>

>

> Thank you for the reply, Holly. Yes, he has seen several BTs over

> the years, and that has helped. Instead of crossing his arms,

like

> your daughter, we tell Jeff, when he is not having nice hands, to

put

> his hands in his pockets or behind his back.

>

> Please don't get me wrong, Jeff if not bad around the clock.

Sure,

> he needs constant supervision to make sure he doesn't destroy

> whatever room he is in--not because he is mad or wants to be bad,

but

> but he sincerely enjoys it--but, he behaves every now and again.

>

> I just got off the telephone with my dad (we were talking, again,

> about possibly having a house built that would be designed with

> Jeff's need in mind) and he told me a somewhat funny thing that

> happened this evening with him and Jeff. Now, this just goes and

> shows you how freaking smark Jeff is. You'll remember how earlier

I

> mentioned how Jeff really enjoys tipping, throwing, flipping, and

> moving things--the bigger and heavier the better. Well, Jeff

likes

> to move his mattress out of his room (the bed frame was destroyed

> ages ago so now only a mattress sits on his bedroom floor) and

just

> drag it around the house. When it is time to go to bed, he and my

> dad move it back into his room. So, this evening, Jeff and my dad

> were bringing the mattress back into Jeff's room with my dad in

the

> lead, or so my dad thought. Jeff had another idea on his mind. He

> took this opportunity to quickly and with speed that Owens

> would have to admire, to rush to the family room and tip over one

of

> the chairs.

>

> Yep, Jeff just likes to tip things. Don't know why, but he sure

gets

> a kick out of it.

>

> -

>

> Isn't it funny how

>

>

> >

> > ,

> > I feel for your family. My daughter is just starting to see

that

> what now is cute will later be a problem with her 9 year old

> brother. Jake does not usually take no for an anwers and often

> throws a fit if he does not get his way. Luckily, we know that he

> knows better and are working with a behavior therapist. It looks

> like you all might need to go this route also. Is he on any

> medications? Special diets? Many different things have worked for

> our kids and not any one thing works all the time. It is a roller

> coaster of ups and downs. The behavior therapist just recent

taught

> my daughter to cross her arms in front of her and turn her back

to

> Jake when she has had enough. Luckily, he is smaller and not at a

> hitting stage...yet. This works to help him back off.

> > Hope you get someone here that can give you some helpful ideas.

> > Holly

> >

> >

> >

> >

[Guest guest]

,

I could relate with these outburst moments just on what you had

mentioned about this when " How to deal with violent outbursts during

fits of frustration (i.e.: hitting, throwing stuff, yelling) " .

I could visualize your brother getting upset enjoying his moment and

probably wanting more ice cream so of course issues like this which I

have also encountered is applying some form of behavior modification.

Do you know if your parents are able to attend several workshops or

know of any type like example with ABA/VB, my son benefits from this

with this challenging issues because it is NOT too intensive as other

approaches. If demands are placed it is throwing off their groove or

sudden changes/transitions are placed boy o'boy it is watching out. It

is always having to become a detective when these moments happen.

Another is also having some assessment around an OT who specializes

with sensory process disorder.

The ABA with the Verbal approach helps build working around the

communication across the day and helps to generalize also like these

issues.

If possible also, sometimes some of these outburst moments are also

caused by some of the food items, could have some food allergies or

food intolerance example with so much which trigger the serotonin

level which is a domino effect if any GI or immune system being

triggered off here, call it the Gut & brain issue, the craving need of

enjoying these food items is also something to consider when becoming

addictive, I can relate with this.

Last year when my son was having numerous outburst than ever, this was

due to corn intake, which cause some aggressiveness. Just some things

to throw with some of our experiences.

As my son's care provider I have also had to learn some CPI training

to help block when getting attacked during moments like this, then

retrieve applying some behavior modification or some type of sensory

input techniques, it is also learning about being cautious on

restraining too.

It is learning these blocking techniques for that safety of getting

hurt then try to redirect around to decrease these frustration moments

to calm down to where the next step is to be taken. Definitely no

talking this builds that frustration level or reinforced the behavior,

because at the moment it is around their level of need only, not what

we want.

Irma,20/DS/ASD

>

> My 13 year old brother Jeff, who has , has these major,

> major spells from time to time when things don't go his way. For

> instance, the other day my mom took Jeff to get some ice cream, and

> they ate it in the parking lot. When they had finished, my mom

> turned the car on to leave, and Jeff got really pissed off. Either

> he wanted more ice cream or simply did not want to leave. He

> probably wanted more ice cream as the kid can eat like no person I

> have ever seen, and most of the signs he knows are food related

> (more, pizza, cracker, drink, etc). Anyway, like I mentioned, he got

> really mad that they were leaving and starting attacking my mom. He

> was in the back seat and took off his seat belt and went after her.

> He ripped her shirt, scratched her face, and just would not give up.

> We call these episodes " spells, " and both of my parents currently

> have bruises as a result from them. So, obviously my mom has to

> defend herself, which is not very easy as my brother makes about two

> of her. The thing is, when she defends herself to get Jeff off of

> her, he gets even more made. He will try to attack more, and when

> unsuccessful, will start screeming and just start having a fit. And

> it goes on for 10 minutes or so.

>

> He had a spell yesterday at my goddaughter's 1st birthday, which

> meant that once again my dad had to leave with Jeff and miss out on

> another family function. But, you will never hear my dad complain

> it. My hero, for sure.

>

> Well, I thought maybe someone here may have picked up a trick or two

> that we haven't already read or thought of to help us during these

> spells. Anyone have advice on how we might be able to make them less

> often, last for a shorter amount of time, and/or less aggressive.

>

> -

>