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"Demolition Crew" Posted By: michaelafrogz
Posted On: 04/08/2008
I truly need some help here guys. My 7 yr. old son has become SO very destructive. I have tried so many forms of discipline with him and nothing seems to work or make an impression on him. I live in a Public Housing Development and I am charged (and pretty hefty too) for any and all damages that are caused to my apartment. He has broken closet doors. Destroys the blinds in my home. This past weekend he destroyed 2 of the screens which I am now going to have to pay for. And just now he went in my room, climbed on my dresser and jumped to my bed. In the process he kicked a great big hole in my wall!!! I can barely afford my rent as it is and I'm already behind on payment for repairs. Any suggestions?? Any other parents have a similar problem that they have dealt with?? With ALL of my kids it's really hard to keep him in my view at all times. (Trust me, I TRY!!) What can I do?? PLEASE SOMEONE HELP ME!!!!
       
janneane7 wrote this reply on 04/08/2008
typical discipline usually doesn't work with kids with autism so that is the first thing I will share with you. Unless he is angry in a complete meltdown when he is doing these things then I think you need to get him seen by an OT who has expertise in sensory integration. It sounds as if he is bouncing off the walls seeking sensory input.ANother thought, and I may be way off base here, is that children who might also have a type of bipolar disorder can get really manic at this time of year. It is like their engines are revving way too high.You would need to work with a competant psychiatrist to see if that is the problem. Medciations are typically used but regular exercise and sensory integration can also help here too.

shannonj wrote this reply on 04/08/2008
Uhhhh...that is so tough, sorry. My son has been in a destructive phase recently as well. We've basically taken all the pictures off the wall, and don't have anything sitting around that can be thrown. He has put holes in the wall by slamming the door handles against the wall...Fortunately, he has settled down (we think it is the addition of Zantac for stomach pain) and now is more silly than anything. One thing we did was turn a big closet into a quiet room. We knocked out the wall to make it bigger, and carpeted the floor and put wainscoting on the walls and filled it with pillows. When he is angry or physical, he can go calm down in the quiet room....I know that might not work on your budget, but you might want to talk to a case manager about a fund/grant that might cover the costs.....Good luck

mommyof3gr8boys wrote this reply on 04/08/2008
do you have a therapist working with him or with the two of you? We have a mobile therapist who comes to the house and works with him but also helps me impement behavioral stragities. We are in the process of getting a new one so i am hoping she can help me with these things! If she gives me any good ideas i will pass them on!

AIsForAutism wrote this reply on 04/08/2008
This isn't my specialty, but what about providing some sort of alternative for this energy? Is it possible to have him in tae kwon do or an equivalent where he can express some of this energy and might learn to focus it. I realize there isn't a quick fix, but perhaps having an energy outlet might lessent the severity of it. Or swimming...walking...jumping on a trampoline. I know all aren't realistic, but perhaps it will spark an idea. Best wishes!

mommyof3gr8boys wrote this reply on 04/08/2008
A is for Autism made me think... do you have him in OT...maybe he needs that. It may help him a lot. I know EJ does OT and Kung FU. He loves it and it does help him to have a vent for his energy

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