Taking Multi-Vitamins

Autism Community Connection=

Autismcc Yahoo Group Responds!

Our group is comprised of parents, educators and professionals in the autism community.<= span style=3D'mso-spacerun:yes'> We welcome parents to ask question= s so that together we may share our wealth of collected knowledge and insight.

www.autismcommunityconnec= tion.com - http://health.= groups.yahoo.com/group/autismcc/

Topic: Tantrums

A parent asked for help regarding tantrums.&= nbsp; “She just gets more and more worked up until she starts regressing. We seem to have t= antrum trouble daily, which is quite draining.”

This post prompted the article, Autism Rage: Using Visuals to Control Tantrums that can be found in our ACC download section. The summary= of this article is that a tantrum is your child’s way of communicating, I’m afraid!” “I’m confused!” “I’m frustrated!” “I feel helpless.” We can minimize these moments for = our child by understanding why they happen and creating visuals that alleviate fear, confusion, frustration and loss of control.

Dawn answered,

http://www.asperger.net/bookstore= _9906a.htm

Making Visual Supports Work in the = Home and Community: Individuals with Autism and Asperger Syndrome by Jennifer Sa= vner and Brenda Smith Myles

This book, only $15.95, explains in great detail how to make visual schedules to

use= in the home and when you are out in the community. This book will be your manual to use with your daughter. It will make a great difference in your l= ife.

Jennifer said,

One thing that usually works for a = lot of kids on the spectrum, or children with SID, is deep pressure. Depending on how she is of course. She may not want to be touched, bu= t I would hold my son in a bear hug from behind him until his body just stopped physically fighting! I also used massaging on the shoulders (when a b= it calmer). Also, to be proactive about it, not that a 2 year old <= /o:p>

WOULDN'T tantrum from time to time,= is to KEEP a weighted product on her. My son has used a weighted vest, a weighted lap pad, and now a weighted blanket. 99.9% of the time, chil= dren diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum typically are diagnosed with SID (sensory integration dysfunction). I know of a FANTASTIC, WONDERFUL w= oman who makes these products at about 50% of what OT mags charge. Her products are machine washable, and get better and better with each wash!

Sherry replied,

My son is 14 and seems to need pres= sure sometimes. He likes to wrap himself in his bed covers. Sometimes when he has tantrums I offer him very firm bear hugs.

I also sneak in little kisses. Plea= se know that sometimes with a child who is non-verbal that that hey could from time to time be experiencing some discomfort, pain or frustration that they can’t verbally express so they get angry. I find that

trying to see it from their viewpoint helps me to cope with the situation.

Jen responded,

My daughter is 3 and we definitely = have the same problem. Her tantrums are not as bad anymore, but she used to resp= ond the same way. There are several things that I try to do before the typical "ignoring" thing starts - and that's just when I am too frustrate= d!! The best thing that worked for my daughter was distraction. She would tantr= um for me telling her "no" to something she was doing, and I would s= tart playing hide and seek or find a snack for her (healthy one, not like candy = or something). These things usually calmed her down and she seemed to forget about whateve= r it was that she wanted.

I still do have a difficult time and sometimes I think she just needs to tantrum. She likes to carry leaves (she STILL finds them laying around outside and it's = March) and when she drops one it's like the world has ended. I can’t console= her for this for some reason. She doesn't even want me near her sometimes, and that's when I just have to make sure she's in a safe place (like a bean bag chair without anything that will hurt her). She fortunately has stopped her injurious behaviors and now just screams.&= nbsp; The other thing that works for me, but is not always possible, is to have someone else correct her behavior. She calms down immediately for my husband, probably because she's tired of me! Or I pretend to cry because she thinks that is funny. Anything to do to take her focus off of the

problem seems to help. Sorry if this doesn't help, but know you are not alone.