ABA and stimming/perseverating

February 28, 2011

My 4 yr old son stims (hair twirling, nail biting, pacing, walking in circles)

and perseverates on his favorite topics (cars/trains/fish), basically

" movement " . The stimming is not bad and most of the time discrete. However,

the perseverating is problematic--he has this unusual hand/voice movement that

he does and I have noticed that other kids and adults notice and seem put off.

When I ask him to stop, he gets angry, has attacked me. I asked him why he does

it and he says he likes it. Has anyone tried ABA therapy for similar issues?

We haven't tried ABA as the doctor/psychologists have only recommended social

skills group and we will be starting OT for sensory issues. He is very verbal

and a bright kid so his teachers ignore the perseverating at preschool, as he is

doing well in school and has minimal behavioral problems (only at home does he

tantrum and act defiant). Would ABA be helpful? Any help would be appreciated!

Liz

February 28, 2011

I don't know if ABA would be helpful as it is not offered where I live but I definitely can relate. My son perseverates on numbers and letters and it angry when he has to stop singing the alphabet or counting. His preschool ignores his anger and hitting because he is so bright too. I hope you are able to get some answers.Sent from my BlackBerry Smartphone provided by AlltelFrom: "elizapatton" <eap9703@...>Sender: Date: Mon, 28 Feb 2011 22:44:27 -0000< >Reply Subject: ( ) ABA and stimming/perseverating My 4 yr old son stims (hair twirling, nail biting, pacing, walking in circles) and perseverates on his favorite topics (cars/trains/fish), basically " movement " . The stimming is not bad and most of the time discrete. However, the perseverating is problematic--he has this unusual hand/voice movement that he does and I have noticed that other kids and adults notice and seem put off. When I ask him to stop, he gets angry, has attacked me. I asked him why he does it and he says he likes it. Has anyone tried ABA therapy for similar issues? We haven't tried ABA as the doctor/psychologists have only recommended social skills group and we will be starting OT for sensory issues. He is very verbal and a bright kid so his teachers ignore the perseverating at preschool, as he is doing well in school and has minimal behavioral problems (only at home does he tantrum and act defiant). Would ABA be helpful? Any help would be appreciated!Liz

February 28, 2011

My daughter too has always waxed on wanned on the severity of

hitting me when I try to move her on from a compulsive interest.

It helps to rehearse what ever is new or changed, and not

having any pressure to move fast helps a lot.

ABA will really help. Therapists that work with autistic

kids will understand. Any other well meaning professionals

won't give good advice.

There are some good ideas from the OT, like some kids like

weighted blankets to help relax them at night ( I have found that

melatonin at night works much better, Mayo Clinic recommends

it for AS kids). The OT will help

you figure out what else can you do with him when he is spinning

etc. At school them may get him certain kinds of things to use

at school like a seat that moves alittle.

They will explain there is a lot you can do with him at home.

I would take my daughter 2-3 times to a kids gym to

run around and climb on things before she started school

full time. At home he can ride a small bike,

and do activities like playing with clay and crayons.

Our OT explained that she is just with our daughter an hour

or so a week but we are with her all day. Swimming is

really good for bi-lateral movements.

I really found the book " Clinical Treatment of Autism " by

Hollander very helpful. Your son is too young for medication to

reduce the compulsive behaviors. Doctors seem to prescribe

rispedal for aggressive behaviors. I would hold off on rispedial

and hang on until he is old enough to trial an SSRI, prozac or zoloft, which

according to clinical trials reduces compulsive, aggressive and

irritable behavior.

I would also recommend reading about Floortime, my daughter

was always extremely compulsive (preservaerating) and it is

really helpful to figure out ways to get involved with

her rather than let her alone all the time.

The hardest problem for us has been to treat the perservating

behaviors, my daughter's issues are so severe they

do not respond to ABA type of shaping problems. She

really needed medication.

Pam

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> My 4 yr old son stims (hair twirling, nail biting, pacing, walking in circles)