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Autism and behavior issue
Hi all,
I wanted to see if anyone had any ideas on my son's behavior. Keegan is 28 and has autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy. As a child, Keegan was always fascinated with water. Loved the pool, baths, etc. Well, when Keegan started attending a day program, he became obsessed with wetting his shirt in the sink. We figured it was because he sometimes got overwhelmed at the day program (Especially if it was super loud or there was an unscheduled change in provider). Looked like sensory input and would calm him right down. He NEVER wet his shirt at home, only the day program. This behavior was addressed when he moved into his group home and he stopped doing it for several years. Fast forward to this summer. He went to a water park and is now obsessed with wetting his shirt at his group home. He gets very irritated if the providers try and stop him from getting to the sink. We have tried all types of sensory interventions but can't seem to find something suitable to replace this behavior with. We've tried a vest, a sensory blanket, a weighted bean bag table for his lap, a weighted neck wrap. Any ideas would be appreciated!
Kerry
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It sounds like this water thing is a comfort to him. As long as it doesn't hurt him or anyone else, I would think it would be ok to let him do it and not try to stop him while you figure out something else, probably something involving water, to take its place, that might not be as messy. It is the water he is fascinated with. So, whatever you try to replace this with should involve water in some way. Anyway, that is just my suggestion.
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2 Reactions@mariannewmoon Thank you so much for replying. I'm not concerned that the water is comforting. The concern is that Keegan doesn't know hot from cold on the knobs (don't want him to get burned) and he has flooded the bathroom, which is a safety concern (don't want him to fall). That's the main reason I'm trying to find a replacement. I did offer him a squirt bottle but he could care less.
Thanks again for reaching out. I appreciate it!
Kerry
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1 Reaction@keeg1010 Yes, I never thought about those things, hot and cold and flooding. He obviously needs supervision. I have Aspergers. I guess it's called something else now. Anyway, there are certain things that can calm me, like the sound of water. Or even just pictures of the ocean, or waterfalls. Well, we're all different, but there are a lot of things that are calming that may not fit the usual things that are used, like the weighted blanket, etc... There seems to be a need to think out of the box. But I guess that is what you are doing by coming here...right? No one knows him better than you. Can you think of anything else he may have taken an interest in when he was a child other than water? I can only imagine how hard this must be to care for him when he is unable to just come out and tell you what he needs. I hope you find something soon that will help.
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3 Reactions@mariannewmoon You are a hundred percent correct. I came here to see if anyone had any ideas. I've spoken to all the therapists throughout the years but nobody could seem to come up with something else that would replace the water obsession. I did get him one of those water mats, with toys on the inside hoping it would help but he couldn't care less. He has a lot of interests but nothing close to playing in the water. Thank you for your input. I didn't know the renamed Aspergers? I hope you are doing well! Definitely agree thinking outside the box is the only way to figure out what I can replace this with.
Thank you for responding and listening. It always helps!
Kerry
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2 ReactionsWhat about a plastic snow globe where he can see snow or sparkles moving in water.
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3 Reactions@vjs003 You know, I never thought about that. I did get him several sensory toys that he could watch water move (seahorses, sensory mat with water and fish, several of those motion bubble with colors in the water, etc) but I have never tried a snow globe. Definitely worth a shot. Thanks so much for your input. I really appreciate it!
Kerry
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2 ReactionsIf he likes the snow globe he could be given a couple of them to keep his interest maybe. Or maybe a shirt made from a silky smooth material or maybe a material that clings and hugs him, a stretch fabric or a shirt that is like velour or a shirt that is soft flannel against the skin. Maybe he just does not like the feel of the shirts he is wearing now against his skin so he makes them wet. Maybe he is too hot and the water on his shirt is cooling. I agree, It is dangerous if he cannot distinguish between hot and cold faucets. Slip resistant shoes might be good to get him so he won't slip on water, if he is ok with different sneakers or shoes to wear.
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4 Reactions@keeg1010 It's so great to see members reaching out with suggestions, isn't it! I have no experience with this mannerism, and have watched the comments coming through.
Ginger
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3 Reactions@vjs003 Funny you should suggest that. Me, @mariannewmoon, with Aspergers is expecting my snowy owl musical snow globe tomorrow. I have been wanting one for a long time. I want to get more snow globes also especially for winter- time. Great suggestion.
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2 Reactions@keeg1010 To continue with the snow globe thought, why not a musical one also? Have you tried music? Music in any form can be very calming. Anyway, I can hardly wait to get my San Franciso Musical Snowy Owl Snow Globe tomorrow.