Autistic Son Starting to Feel More Sensations and Freaking Out Any Suggestions?

Updated on February 16, 2014
M.S. asks from Troutdale, OR
4 answers

Our sweet almost 3 year old little boy is Autistic and non-verbal. We have been doing the Qigong Massage with him to help him learn to feel and talk. Well, it used to be that if he hit his head on a concrete floor he wasn't even phased. Last night his sister bumped him in the head gently with a plastic swing (it hangs from the ceiling in the living room for him) and he freaked out. He cried and cried for a good 5 minutes at least. He was inconsolable. This was not the first time this had happened, but it was the first time he reacted at all.

Later, he stubbed his toe on a truck he was playing with and his reaction was so bad that I though he had cut something off!

So, my question, is how do I help him learn what "normal" pain feels like so that he doesn't have to get so upset. I'm not saying he doesn't need to fuss or even cry, but this was way overkill. Any suggestions? I'd really appreciate it. He cant go back to his OT until next month because we ran out of insurance visits.

Thank so much for you suggestions and help. I really appreciate it. Take Care. M.

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J.S.

answers from Richland on

He isn't starting to feel sensations, he is learning how to articulate his feelings when he is hurt. He has learned, something happens, I cry, I get attention, maybe something else. He responses are exaggerated because he has autism, social cues are a foreign language.

Unfortunately, from my experience with my son, he will not figure it out until he is at least in school. You can try teaching him but I would suggest you focus on what you are teaching him which has nothing to do with pain.

He is leaning cause and effect and in a purely logical way. He saw someone hurt themselves, they cried they got something. Logically if he hurts himself, and cries, he will get the same thing.

Good news! It is a form of communication. :) More good news, you are in for at least two of the most frustrating years of your life, then it gets better.

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H.W.

answers from Portland on

Hi M.,

Are you connected with the Swindells' Center here in Portland? It is located near Portland Providence Hospital on NE 47th near Glisan. The Swindell's Center does offer specialized seminars and therapy work for families and has a lot of workshops directed toward families and caregivers/teachers working with ASD children and children with sensory perception dysfunction/disorders as well as children who might be impacted in other ways.

You do not have to be a client using services to receive their email updates on seminars and workshops. They also have a fairly good lending library with both informative books for parents as well as social stories for kids.

Here is their events page:
http://oregon.providence.org/our-services/s/swindells-res...

I am also on their mailing list (my son received evaluations there) and, while I looked on their site for a plug to 'add to mailing list' (couldn't find one), I know I can send you one of their emails directly and then you can get on their list that way. If you want, you can PM me your email address and I will send this along to you.

I'm sorry I don't have more to offer. But maybe this would be a good resource for you. Many of their workshops are free, too.

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M.H.

answers from Atlanta on

Hi M.,

Bear with me.....Have you considered detoxing your home? I know this might sound silly but my severely ADD/ADHD daughter was so affected by synthetic chemicals that it caused her to react more. I removed the cleaning supplies and changed laundry detergents and life changed. Her diagnosis was actually removed at her next doctors visit. Chemicals are so rampant in everything...preservatives, pesticides, cleaning products, OTC and prescription drugs that sometimes we just take it for granted. She is healthy, happy and well adjusted. Im not saying that your son isn't autistic by any means, but I do know how things affect the neurological system. if you're interested I can tell you precisely what I did...

Regards,
M.

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G.R.

answers from San Diego on

Please look into brainhighways.com very successful for children like yours. its a miracle to say the least. do their online program you will be glad you did! at least read into it. amazing amazing

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