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Help! Advice Requested

awinky82awinky82 member
in Special Needs

So I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on this topic. My son is 3.5 currently, and while he just recently received an ASD dx (1 month ago) and has made huge progress in ST and OT...I'm totally stumped how to overcome this problem.

We have been making trips out a few times a week (which we never really did before) at the urging of our EI to the grocery store, bowling, rec center, new social settings. Before we were recommended for an eval, my husband and I just preferred not to take him to places that weren't specifically for his age/enjoyment because he never reacted well. So now that we have been doing these new outing, about 20 times total, we are noticing a pattern.

He either 'ignores' the setting-if he has a snack available to distract him-and behaves very well

Or he tries to run through (to be chased) and is usually has a meltdown when we restrict this behavior.

Or he lays down on the floor and/or requires to be held the entire time-and refuses to do otherwise

The first few times, we tried to prepare him for the trips: tell him who's going, where, when, how, etc.

The next few times, we tried to tell him about the trip in advance, motivating him with the 'fun' part of the trip.

Then after that, we offered a reward at the end of the trip, if he sat/walked nicely, and didn't do any laying down.

We are now going to write some social stories, in hopes of getting him comfortable with common places.

Keep in mind, these are quick 10-15 trips in grocery stores, and about 1 hour trips for other social trips. I feel like he has some legitimate anxiety over new people, settings, etc. I feel like he will work through most of the issues in time, but the most concerning (and problematic) is the laying down. How do I get him to stop? Any help would be great! I am working this with ST and OT as well, but I know someone out there must have a similar experience!<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Re: Help! Advice Requested

  • typesettypeset member
    Is there a way to work with a behaviorist/ABA therapist? 
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  • awinky82awinky82 member

    Yes, I have calls into ABA therapist.  The problem is, the waiting list is long on most and the one our insurance covers only covers supervision...not tutors.  Grrrr... I'm trying to work it out with insurance, but they are being a real pain in the butt about everything, since now that he has a dx, they don't want to touch anything related to ASD. 

    Regardless, I am going to tax our EI and OT therapist for stategies, for us to try out. 

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  • SantoriniStephSantoriniSteph member
    I agree with ABA and going to the school district.  I would also look at why he is doing it.  My DS lays on the ground, tummy side down when he is happy, we call it his happy dance.  He wiggles around and makes cute sounds.  So far he has only done it at our house or Grandma's house, so we don't see any need to interrupt him.  He does it when he is really happy about something.  As he has grown up, and done ABA and is attending a special class, he expresses his happiness in other ways, with huge smiles and hugs, etc.

    I always look for a why first, then I can understand if / how to redirect.
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  • awinky82awinky82 member
    Thank you!  I talked with
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  • awinky82awinky82 member
    Whoops, I guess that last one was accidently posted.  Thank you for your input, I am hoping to get him in ABA by this summer and this will be one of our major goals.  I did talk with the EI on Friday, and she had some great suggestions.  She recommended using the cart consistently at the grocery store (with the belt) in combination with the weighted lap pad (if needed) and just letting him work it out a little.  I think it is partly our anxiety, over him fussing and squirming in the cart, so we let him down.  She advised us to first get him to accept the enviroment in the cart and then baby step as he allows.  On a positive note, we took both kids bowling on Sunday and it was wildly successful!  It was great practice for turn taking, staying with the family during the game, and cheering each other on...  We wanted to make it a really positive experience since we hope to make it a bi-weekly family event, and we made it through one full game, no tears, all fun, and it was an awesome family outting!
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