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Post by Chris on Jul 27, 2011 22:50:18 GMT -5
Sarah will turn 10 in September. For the past year, we have been struggling with her impulsive and aggressive behavior. She will scratch, hit, kick, push or bite other children without being provoked. Most of the time it is out of the blue. She has also started to destroy property. We have had a functional behavioral assessment done. Basically it told us that she was unpredictable. She also become enraged at times. She can be the most lovable charming child but now we have this other side of her personality. We take her to a physiatrist who is also a behavioral specialist. We tried Ritalin for the impulsivity but it made Sarah more irritable. Now we are trying Intuniv. She just started taking it today and the doc said it could take up to two weeks for us to notice any difference. Tonight we were at Vacation Bible School and she suddenly attacked another child. She scratched her, bruised her arm and punched her in the stomach. This girl is at least a head taller than Sarah and did nothing to provoke Sarah. She was just standing and singing the songs! I am at a loss of what to do. I really don't want to confine her to our house forever. I really would like her to be able to play with other kids. Sarah is totally non-compliant. I am so tired. Chris
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 28, 2011 7:57:05 GMT -5
Is Intuniv a stimulant like Ritalin? I am wondering if that is what she needs? Or something more like Risperdal or something??? (calming med type thing?)
Also, maybe she has some personal space issues? Have you and the psych tried to address it with her? How well can she communicate her needs to you?
A.
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Post by Chris on Jul 28, 2011 9:50:12 GMT -5
A., Intuniv is a nonstimulant. We just started it and it has to build up in her system before we can determine if it will be effective.
I don't think it has anything to do with personal space. A few months ago I went to pick her up from school. I got there just in time to see her go up to a boy in the hall and smack him on top of his head from behind. She just walked out of her classroom and gave him a good walop. He didn't even know she was there. I think she enjoys the reaction and for some reason nobody ever fights back. She has scraped the skin off of their arms and left bite marks so it is serious.
Her speech is extremely delayed although she communicates fairly well. Between her speech and signing we can usually understand what she is saying.
Chris
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 28, 2011 13:58:24 GMT -5
Think maybe she is seeking some sort of "rough touch" sensory input? Oddly enough, that can be how it plays out.
Russell has become aggressive this past year. But for Russell it's usually due to lack of coping skills. When he seeks rough touch sensory input it's usually in the form of hitting/smacking. But when he can't cope he will spit, ruminates on purpose, pinches, kicks, bites, etc....he has very poor communication skills and you know he is REALLY upset when this goes on. Still doesn't make it "ok" to do though! I feel your pain.
A.
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Post by momofrussell on Jul 28, 2011 13:59:28 GMT -5
Oh..and because of all of this we had to really up his sensory diet by minutes and frequency. It was daily but as needed to now it's 4 times a day scheduled. Without it he can't cope/function much at all.
Maybe your daughter needs some sort of sensory input diet or something? There are things that can help her relax and calm even.
A.
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Post by Chris on Jul 28, 2011 15:38:31 GMT -5
A., the weird thing is she doesn't seem agitated or upset most of the time she attacks someone. She does get extremely defensive when she is upset or doesn't want to do something. I almost forgot about the spitting. She doesn't spit as much as she was a few months ago. I guess I should be thankful about that. I think she spits for the joy of spitting and she also loves the reaction when she spits on someone. She thinks it is funny. I wouldn't rule out some possible sensory issues. We don't start school until after Labor Day and aren't getting any services in the summer. We will see! Thanks again for your input. I love the advice I get from the been there, done that parents. Chris
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Post by kg91207 on Jul 29, 2011 10:08:36 GMT -5
I was just talking to a coworker who has a daughter the same age as Kaelyn (but does not have DS) and she was talking about how her daughter likes to spit, so when she does she makes her go in the bathroom and spit in the toilet! Maybe if she could only spit in the toilet (which isn't going to give her a reaction) she would get bored with it!
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Post by Chris too on Jul 29, 2011 10:31:08 GMT -5
Are her "guys" egging her on? You said she seems to get some wicked pleasure out of the violence and the reactions of the victims, so I'm wondering if she gets a notion in her head and her "guys" encourage her to carry through? How would you deal with that sort of thing? Have you been able to convince her that it's mean to hurt people - that it's wrong? Is she remorseful at all? Does she understand how the victim feels - can she be helped to understand? It just sounds to me like she's entertaining herself without regard for the other person, and I wonder where she is developmentally - if she doesn't think of the other person, is she at a place developmentally where she can be taught to think of the other person. I also wonder if she understands the "certain activities for certain times and places" idea. We don't shout or rough-house when indoors and we don't pee in the middle of the floor, so we don't hit people outside the sparring ring or without our safety gear on (and we bite only food - and maybe chewy tubes). If this approach has worked in the past, then maybe you should sign her up for kung fu or karate or jujitsu classes where she could spar in the ring with safety gear on and reinforce that hitting only happens in the ring with safety gear on. Just a thought.
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Post by Chris on Jul 29, 2011 21:52:07 GMT -5
We had vacation bible school tonight and Sarah scratched the back of one boy's neck. The kids were all lined up in three close rows. Maybe it is a personal space issue. One of the ladies at our church has a child with autism who is the same age as Sarah. She said it seemed like Sarah was aggressive when another child got in her personal space. She also suggested it might be a sensory seeking problem. It absolutely is impulsive.
I really don't think we are egging her on since it happens the most at school when we are not there. When she sees the other child is injured she is full of remorse. She will say sorry over and over again and have tears in her eyes. I don't think she gets wicked pleasure watching children in pain but I think she finds a sudden yelp or sudden movement interesting. I totally believe this is a part of her disability. I don't think she can totally control this impulsive behavior.
Chris
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Post by Chris too on Jul 31, 2011 14:56:24 GMT -5
Chris, When I said "her guys" I meant any imaginary friends she might have, not you. Of course YOU wouldn't egg her on I'm glad to hear that she is remorseful - that will make it easier to get under control since she will want to be part of the solution once one is found. And I'm sure that with all the people you have working on it, you will find a solution. Meanwhile, I'll be praying for peace for you. It's always nerve wracking waiting for an answer to something like this. {{{hugs}}}
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