DownSyn Forum

Helen · Posted: October 26 2008, 4:03 PM Post subject: Self-injurious behaviour

OK

Matt's started a new behaviour - one that we've never seen him do before. And isn't so nice to watch, and we don't think we can ignore.

He has started really hitting his arms hard on tables, walls, etc. His upper arm is covered with bruises now. And he's also started punching himself in the head.

Basically, any ideas you can think of why this has started? And what can we do to stop it?

Thanks, x

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael, Matt - DS & Autism - and Hannah. My gorgeous kids!

mellysmom · Posted: October 26 2008, 7:51 PM Post subject:

My guess would be that he is seeking sensory input. Talk to your OT about exercises or activities to help with this. Deep pressure keeps coming to mind, but an OT who specializes is autism and sensory issues would know best. I'm only guessing.

I have a friend whose child used to head bang. I'll ask her what they did to stop it.

Michelle
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mellysmom · Posted: October 27 2008, 7:48 PM Post subject:

Hi Helen,

My friend, whose daughter has autism, says that the weighted blankets really helped. They bought a large one (8 pounds) from Ebay for about $100.00 and a smaller one (3 pounds) for about $20.00. I know that there are also weighted vests, as well.

I hope that helps.
Have you been able to contact the OT?

Michelle
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inflation defined

Helen · Posted: October 28 2008, 3:48 AM Post subject:

Over here we don't get OT! We don't get PT either! I will speak to his doctor and see if we can get an OT involved. Thanks for your ideas though.

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael, Matt - DS & Autism - and Hannah. My gorgeous kids!

KatieB · Posted: October 29 2008, 1:43 PM Post subject:

Just wondering how your Matt is, hope this new behavior has decreased, sounds painful.
Katie

kittycat3376 · Posted: October 30 2008, 4:52 PM Post subject:

I don't remember who, but somebody on this forum had a really good idea a little while back for making homemadecooling and weighted vests, by taking the filler pieces out of a life vest and replacing them with ice packs or weights (bags of rice or dry beans would work).

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kris10z · Posted: October 30 2008, 7:08 PM Post subject:

Ethan has been pulling his own hair and pulling his privates when we change his diaper Shocked

. OUCH!

We have been trying the brushing technique for sensory input. Have you ever tried that with Matt?

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Kristen: Wife to Scott, Mama Bear to Ethan
(05/25/01, DS & ALL)
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Tigger · Posted: October 31 2008, 7:25 AM Post subject:

Do you think something like a punching bag might help him get the sensory input of hitting without the damage? I just thougt of this because my parents did it with me (I had a lot of issues when i was a kid) and it helped.
I hope you can get hold of an OT. Good ones are hard to find but they have some great ideas.

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Karyn
Mum to Nikki (Jul 89), Stefanie (Sep 96), Joel [June 98] and Talitha (DS) (Nov 05) AVSD/PDA repaired 23 March 06

"I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well." Psalm 139:14

Keir's Mum · Posted: November 25 2008, 6:21 PM Post subject:

Hi Helen - here is a voice from the past. Have just redone my downsyn name etc as it has been so long since I logged on to the site.

Just a thought re Matt's new behaviour - I know that Andy was at the conference on Autism and Ds in May (?) this year. I remember a presentation by someone from Nottingham University about how sometimes self-injuring behaviour - especially if new - can be a reaction to undiagnosed pain from e.g reflux. Just wondered if you had ruled this sort of thing out? He was a passionate and very compelling advocate for investigating physiological roots for self-injuring behaviours explaining how hard it is for people with sensory disorders to locate pain and express it in usual ways.

I will happily seek out the details of his study for you if you want to know more.

Carrie

HannahsmomUK · Posted: November 25 2008, 6:29 PM Post subject:

Carrie how nice to see you back

and wow you've got a good memory, can you email me some details of that conference as I have NO IDEA where my notes are from it now

Helen I remember going to another conference on autism and they suggested the weighted vest

also blue tac They suggested giving the child blue tac to play with as it gave them some stimulation as they were stimulating themselves by the banging etc and the blue tac stopped it. I know it sounds strange but she showed us a video of her kids ( she had 2 kids with autism ) and it really did work

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Tom · Posted: November 25 2008, 6:42 PM Post subject:

Mikey used to head bang. He always had a bright red mark right in the middle of his forehead. Nothing ever helped until he was put on medication. Now he rarely does it only when he is very mad and when he does it he always give a look afterward like, "What the hell did I do that for?!" Smile

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Tom

Dad to Beth ( 20 ) and Mikey (15 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
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Emdad · Posted: November 25 2008, 7:06 PM Post subject:

Hi Carrie!
Exclamation

Helen · Posted: November 26 2008, 9:16 AM Post subject:

Great to see you Carrie!!!

Yes I'd love the info. Andy didn't tell me anything about it! How's life? I know you've had a tough few years, but it's lovely to see you again on here. A lot of old hats still around - Tom, Jeff, Jo, etc - and by that I mean OLD!!! Laughing

I have a lot of exploring to do, I guess, to work out what's goign on. What medication is Mikey on Tom? I've never heard of giving meds to kids with Autism over here.

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Helen

Mum to ...
Rachael, Matt - DS & Autism - and Hannah. My gorgeous kids!

Amy · Posted: November 26 2008, 9:32 AM Post subject:

Hey Carrie.. was your member name in earlier days Carolyn? You can have it back if you like.. it has 6 stars by it. lol and all of your former posts and history.

When you log in, put in Carolyn and then hit the button that says you forgot your password. If that doesn't work, email or pm Tom and he can go in and reset your password.

And Helen.. I can definetly tell when Austin has a sinus headache before the serious runny nose begins. He will hit his head with his hand and sometimes on the table. When he's snot free.. we RARELY see the head banging. I think there is a connection. Austin still cant tell us when he's in pain.

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Keep the Faith, Amy
Mom to Kristin (26) Jessica (24) Rebecca (21) Rachel (16) Sarah (14) Hunter (11) & Austin (7) DS

Tom · Posted: November 26 2008, 9:37 AM Post subject:

Risperdal. Go through the forum and you will see other parent's have tried it. It helps with obsessive behaviors. Mikey also takes Focalin which is used for ADHD.

Dr. George Capone (he's one of the world's experts in dual-diagnosis) has been using Risperdal on his patients with a great deal of success.

http://www.kennedykrieger.org/kki_staff.jsp?pid=1037

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Tom

Dad to Beth ( 20 ) and Mikey (15 - Ds and PDD-NOS)
My Blog - Random Thinking
Find me on Facebook
Find me on Twitter as tgpaul

Keir's Mum · Posted: November 27 2008, 7:47 PM Post subject:

Hi there folks - how lovely to be welcomed back! Hi Jo - Geoff -Tom- good to see there are still plenty of familiar faces.

Amy thanks for the advice re accessing my old username. I would like to do that but my e-mail address has changed. Will contact Tom and see how I can alter it so I can retrieve/change my password (which I have forgotten).

Yes - Helen - we have had a really tough time. This will be the second Christmas since Ray died. Not looking forward to it. We are doing o.k. although as a family we are diminished in many different ways.

I am afraid I haven't got the details of the Nottingham study on me just now but will check in again when I have.

Take Care and it is lovely to be in touch again.

Carrie

Keir's Mum · Posted: December 06 2008, 6:10 PM Post subject:

Hi there Helen,

just wrote this reply then lost it! - I have found the study - not Nottingham university - Birmingham. The guy I remember from the conference was Chris Oliver.

Here is a link to a paper he wrote:

http://www.cndd.bham.ac.uk/documents/UNIAMO_self-injury_download.pdf

I am sure you could track an e-mail address down for him if you had any questions - he was very approachable - and really seemed to care about what he was researching.

How is Matt doing re his hitting behaviour just now?

Carrie

carolyn · Posted: December 06 2008, 6:22 PM Post subject:

Hi there again - just to log in with my old username - so no more Keir's Mum - I'm properly back now!

Carrie

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Mum to Keir 15th October 2001 (ds) and Rory 3rd August 2003