“I
have a ten-year-old boy with ASD who is high
functioning. We are consistent with making him aware of what is socially
unacceptable and why. It seems to go in one ear and out the other
though. For instance, at meal time we always tell him to eat with his
mouth closed. He will do as we say for 20 seconds and then he’s right
back to chewing with his mouth open. We have sent him to eat in the
other room, or we take away dessert if he continues after the fourth
prompt. We have had no success for the past 2 years! Do you have any
ideas or do you think that it’s something he can’t help?”
This can be a “Catch-22” situation because, even though you want your
son’s behavior to change in a positive manner, it might become more
resistant or rigid if he is confronted or forced to behave in a manner
that he finds disagreeable. This can become a long-term power struggle
that can lead to your frustration and his feelings of failure.
==> How to Prevent Meltdowns and Tantrums in Children with Autism Spectrum Disorder
In this case, giving your son rewards might have better results than
imposing punishment. One possible solution would be “fun money” for your
son. You can make or purchase “fun” (fake) money for your son to use
when he behaves in a socially acceptable manner. The money can be spent
for privileges, such as time spent with a video game, or other
activities he enjoys.
If your son behaves in an unacceptable manner, you
can impose a financial penalty, and your son has to give a portion of
the money back to you. However, if he has to give too much back, he
might never earn the reward, so reserve the “fines” for very serious
transgressions of the rules.
An effective economic-reward system is based on consistency in enforcing
it and keeping the list of rewards/penalties attainable and short.
Start this system with just one goal to earn reward and increase the
goals as he gets a feel for how it works. Try using one standard-size
piece of paper and list the rewards on the left-hand side and the
penalties on the right-hand side.
==> Parenting System that Reduces Defiant Behavior in Teens with Autism Spectrum Disorder
Your son will be able to comprehend
this list without it overwhelming him. This way, when he is rewarded or
punished, he will know that there are limits being set and he has a
degree of control over how much he will receive or forfeit. Your son
will feel a sense of empowerment with this system, and it will allow him
to make choices; he will learn from both.
A structured reward system works well with children on the spectrum because
they do extremely well with structure, consistency, and clarity. When
there is no structure, the autistic child feels that chaos is
controlling his life. A reward system maintains structure for your son,
and it eliminates chaos from his life.
Structure, consistency, and clarity will give your son a sense of
mastery over his environment. Whether you incorporate the solution
proposed above or one that you obtain elsewhere, you will be integrating
predictability into your son’s life, and this leads to his being able
to rely upon you as being supportive and fair in his upbringing.
==> Crucial Research-Based Parenting Strategies for Children and Teens with High-Functioning Autism
Children without ASD and within your son’s age range are
coping with the beginning of adolescence. Children like your son are
coping with the same thing, except they find that they have to deal with
the ASD diagnosis in addition to everything else.
You need to make sure that the consistency that we stress here is
maintained for your son’s benefit. Do not let your feelings and emotions
take precedence because of the stress that accompanies any
child-discipline procedure. Stay calm and let him choose to earn reward
or pay fines.
Also, be willing and available to discuss discipline with
your son; it’s important regardless of any diagnosis that your son has.
Above all, be truthful and sincere; your son will know that you love him
and care about his well being.
PARENTS' COMMENTS:
• Anonymous said... adjust expectations.
•
Anonymous said... Definitely the "make it a concrete rule" idea -
usually very effective. As my son reached adolescence I have been able
to say, "Other people will notice this behavior and that might make you
feel uncomfortable. How should I tell you to stop without upsetting
you?" - He's become much more self-conscious as a teen and that usually
works.
• Anonymous said... I always say it has to be engraved on
his commandments before it is His gospel or rules, convincing is the
hard part because the rigidity of thought. Being the enforcer helps and a
small amount of medicine gives us just enough of an opening to get
through. We have a level chart also with Xs and stars that is very
effective.
• Anonymous said... I could have written this post. ..LOL... much luck to us all!
•
Anonymous said... I dont think he is trying to agitate you it may be
simply his way of stimming. The fact that most Aspie children are very
literal and with a mouthful of food & mouth closed perhaps he think
he will not be able to breath unless his mouth is open, my son has
trouble breathing through nose. I wouldn't worry to much about eating
with his mouth open.I would just focus on a pleasant family time of
sharing your days events & actually eating the food you prepare.
Most of us Aspie Parents seem to be hard on ourselves to correct our
children to be the way others want them to be, can other people just
learn that everyone is Human and just learn to embrace our differences,
that makes us individuals.
• Anonymous said... I like
the "make her the enforcer" idea. She's militant about no elbows on the
table so maybe she'll be that way about not talking with her mouth full.
•
Anonymous said... I use a good/bad behaviour chart, things like
manners get a smiley, rude or anger get a sad face. At the end of the
week if he has more smileys than sad hr gets a treat, within reason of
his choice. I make him complete the chart to re enforce his
understanding and he adds them up also.
• Anonymous said... Its
nice to know this is happening in other houses also. Meals used to be so
stressful in our home and we used so many different approaches with
little results. What's helped the most is focusing less on the behaviors
and being more calm ourselves, and adjusting our expectations.
• Anonymous said... make it visual
•
Anonymous said... My twelve year old eats a lot with his hands,
doesn't notice or care when he has food on his face, sits in funny
positions ... Etc. etc. I might try to make him an enforcer. He is very
motivated by earning points...thanks for the idea
• Anonymous said... Ours is talking with her mouth full.
•
Anonymous said... Please don't make him eat in a different room. That
only pronounces the alienation they feel on a daily basis. I have to
tell my 12 yr old everything every single day, several times. Some
things eventually stick, others do not. It gets annoying for us yes, but
it is a part of them and the way their brains work. I also have a
spitter when he doesn't like the texture or taste of something. I made
him clean it up until he finally broke the nasty habit because that made
him grossed out too. When we have people over he usually hides out
until the coast is clear, and we go out I am very careful that his glass
of water sits by itself so he doesn't accidently pick up and take a
gulp of someone's soda and only order food that I know he likes. My life
has gotten much more predictable and I am still able to have him in
social situations by taking a few precautions.
• Anonymous said...
Sounds exactly like our son. And believe me, it ALL goes in one ear out
the other, not just at meal time. Any one has some good ideas we'd love
to see them too.
• Anonymous said... They don't do it on purpose.
Adjust expectations. Use gentle reminders now and then but don't get
mad at them when they don't stop. I struggle with these sort of things
everyday with my almost 10 yr old boy!
• Anonymous said... This is
same in our house too and meal times are stressful my son (
ADHD+autism)eats very loudly and open mouth you can't sit next to him
also he giggle as a lot and using time for googling and messing with
sister I am getting late to everywhere oh never mind what will I cook
too very fussy eater only eat same food made my own visual reward chart
it is hard I can't ignore itx
• Anonymous said... Ugh sounds like
my 8 year old. And also the yelling in people's faces when we are out.
Sometimes I would like to put a "I have Aspergers" Tshirt on him so
people have more patience with him.
• Anonymous said... We have
made index cards with pictures on them what is right at the dinner table
and what is not. We have him review the cards before the meal. I have
lamented them and punched holes and put a ring through them. I actually
have many social story card rings we keep at the house, just like he has
at school. If you google social stories.
• Anonymous said... Write them down and put them up on the wall. If the rules are concrete and visible, then they are REAL.
•
Anonymous said... Yes, any ideas would be helpful! My son chews with
his mouth open, and spits out things if he doesn't like the
taste/texture etc. But, he just spits it out-not on his plate-or a
napkin it just comes flying out. Its really gross! Not to fun when
guests are over or if we are chancing to eat out:)
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