Violent rages from autistic boy ages 8

Post Reply New Topic

I am a teacher of ASD and one of my students who is 8 has suddenly started attacking myself, other staff and students. He is non verbal and has a very poor diet due to refusing proper food. His mother is agraphobic and very unhelpful. He bites himself and also bangs his head on doors. We are all stuck as to how we can help him. He is very large and heavy and has injured quite a few people to date. We desperately want to find solutions and strategies, but are coming up against brick walls as nothing is working. We never know when he will fly into a rage. There are no build ups or warnings and we have no idea what sets it all off.
Please help with suggestions.

Has he had an extensive behavioral assesment? And more than the consultant observing him for an hour or so. There are really so many different things it could be. Does this happen more at school or exclusively at school, or is this something that happens all over. If he has had bad experiences from staff at school he might associate everyone at school the same way.

He needs a complete reassessment. But I know you as a teacher have your hands tied as to what you can suggest. Document, Document, Document. Walk-in-the-rain, is right on with the suggestion. But you have a non-cooperative parent here, so you are really in a bind. I

Have you tried any kind of visual communication.

There are supposed to be charts with symbols to aid self expression and communication, things like pictures of a toilet, a glass of water, an apple, a kid with his hands up for "I want", picture of a house (for home) and a bigger building for school etc.

Have you taught him how to type - sometimes a kid that can't say words can do fine with a keyboard.

This kid possibly knows exactly what he wants and is incredibly frustrated.

As for the food thing, most creatures relate to you sharing food, ie you get your sandwich out and you take a bite from one half, and you offer the other half to your non-verbal creature. If they don't take it, put it down in front of them so they can think about it. Try with some other food or drink. Eventually one thing will smell right, and they will see you eating it so they will feel ok about trying it. They will also see how you eat it, and a child will attempt to copy that technique.

You could possibly start with simple food, like a piece of ham, or cheese, or pear etc.

Making direct eye contact might also be bad, so when you are trying to communicate you sit side on or side by side and don't look directly at the child/adult.

http://card.ufl.edu/supports/peoplelocators.htm

http://card.ufl.edu/supports/no.htm

http://snap.bigpondhosting.com/album_2.htm

http://www.usevisualstrategies.com/pictures.html
(check out the "printable picture" links at the bottom left)

Much appreciated to all who replied to this post.
It is very difficult, but we won't give up on this child. I think a re-assesment is a very good idea. If only we could get someone to come and stay with Jack for longer than a few hours......
The websites were interesting. I have also made a Now and Next card so that the boy knows exactly what is happening at any given moment, and a whole new variety of PECS cards, so hey.... things can only get better.
Also perhaps some of his behaviour is just "naughty" Just because he is autistic doesn't mean that he's not malicious now does it! He's still human, something a lot of people seem to forget and blame everything on his autism. He's a kid! What kid doesn't try it on sometimes...