16 years old autistic son puberty and behavior

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Mariusz
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10 Nov 2020, 5:53 pm

My 16 years old autistic son keep watching cartoons like Barney, Sesame Street and Elmo and then imitates them on every occasion. He is totally obsess with them. For example he will take a cookie and eat them like Cookie Monster or pretending hi is Elmo or Groover. He is doing this everware and each time we try to stop or control this behavior he is getting very upset and start yealing, shouting or making other unproperate sounds, lately even aggressive (puberty is not helping).
We try everything for him to stop watching this. We block all this words on the google or other browser but he always finding a different way to watch this on the computer or tablet.
When we shut down internet he is recording himself on the tablet and then keep watching this video over and over and when we taking his devices away he becomes very aggressive.
Yes, we are trying redirect him each time when this bad episode happened but this work only for a short time.
Did anybody have same problem and maybe someone have idea how to make him stop watching these videos?
We will appreciate any idea
Thanks,
M&M



AuroraBorealisGazer
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10 Nov 2020, 6:28 pm

It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.



kraftiekortie
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10 Nov 2020, 6:48 pm

The person who started this thread, apparently, thinks this kid is too old to watch Barney and Sesame Street.

I say: let the kid enjoy himself.



Mariusz
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10 Nov 2020, 7:06 pm

AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.

After he is watching this cartoons he is imitating in very unproperate way like take a cookie and eating like Cookie Monster crashing and destroying all over the house even if we are in someone else house, sometime he will walk to same strenger and talk to him like he is Elmo or other character and when someone is not playing along he gets frustrating



kraftiekortie
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10 Nov 2020, 7:08 pm

If he's destroying people's houses----and your own house----that's not good.

What sort of educational situation is he in?

I guess he imitating Cookie Monster, and going up to people speaking like Elmo might seem pretty odd. But he's not harming anybody in doing this. I'm laughing just thinking about it.

I would focus more on his destructive behaviors, rather than on his TV choices.

I would rather he watch Sesame Street than destroy my house....



Last edited by kraftiekortie on 10 Nov 2020, 7:17 pm, edited 2 times in total.

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10 Nov 2020, 7:12 pm

Seems to me like he is using it both like a special interest to relax in and de-stress, but also as a mask to help cope as by living in sesame street world he can mask the stresses of life.
It is a coping mechanism inwhat is probably the most stressful part of ones life. I used to pretend I was a car.


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10 Nov 2020, 7:15 pm

Mariusz wrote:
My 16 years old autistic son keep watching cartoons like Barney, Sesame Street and Elmo and then imitates them on every occasion. He is totally obsess with them. For example he will take a cookie and eat them like Cookie Monster or pretending hi is Elmo or Groover. He is doing this everware and each time we try to stop or control this behavior he is getting very upset and start yealing, shouting or making other unproperate sounds, lately even aggressive (puberty is not helping).
We try everything for him to stop watching this. We block all this words on the google or other browser but he always finding a different way to watch this on the computer or tablet.
When we shut down internet he is recording himself on the tablet and then keep watching this video over and over and when we taking his devices away he becomes very aggressive.
Yes, we are trying redirect him each time when this bad episode happened but this work only for a short time.
Did anybody have same problem and maybe someone have idea how to make him stop watching these videos?
We will appreciate any idea
Thanks,
M&M

Don't, I don't see how this is a problem. All you are doing is causing him distress. There's no reason to do so. Coming from someone who's parents have tried to get me to let go of some of my childishness it doesn't work. let's pretend like you do somehow make the special interest go away it's not gonna help. Life as an autistic person is hard enough taking trying to force people out of their special interest is only gonna cause distress. Just because it's age inappropriate doesn't really matter. I doubt it's causing any significant harm. You just are worried that it's not socially acceptable. that doesn't matter it makes him happy. I don't see why people do this. This is a horrible idea. Your not helping him by doing this in anyway. All your doing is harming him. I'd know this because I'm autistic and have had similar experiences. All you are doing is making things worse. Does age appropriate behavior really matter if you are causing this much distress to your child. I don't think it does.


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10 Nov 2020, 7:24 pm

Mariusz wrote:
AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.

After he is watching this cartoons he is imitating in very unproperate way like take a cookie and eating like Cookie Monster crashing and destroying all over the house even if we are in someone else house, sometime he will walk to same strenger and talk to him like he is Elmo or other character and when someone is not playing along he gets frustrating

That's a different story. Try to addres the behavior of him destroying things.


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I run a discord for moderate-severely autistic people if anyone would like to join. You can also contact me on discord @Pieplup or by email at [email protected]


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10 Nov 2020, 7:29 pm

I'd be angry too if my parents took away my special interests and would destroy the house as well. If they're going to destroy my life by taking away my special interests, I'll destroy their house. Thankfully my parents were not "age appropriate" Nazis and did not care less if I liked something intended for a younger child.


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AuroraBorealisGazer
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10 Nov 2020, 7:47 pm

Mariusz wrote:
AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.

After he is watching this cartoons he is imitating in very unproperate way like take a cookie and eating like Cookie Monster crashing and destroying all over the house even if we are in someone else house, sometime he will walk to same strenger and talk to him like he is Elmo or other character and when someone is not playing along he gets frustrating


Yes crushing cookies everywhere and destroying the house is a negative behavior. In the past have you been able to teach him right from wrong behaviors (things like no hitting others, not running into the street, that sort of thing)? Does he have any specialists that work with him?



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10 Nov 2020, 7:49 pm

LOL....I hope the worst thing my (hypothetical) kid does is watch Sesame Street and imitate Cookie Monster.....

I would say give your kid a break. I don't think you "deserve" to have your house messed up----but I do believe you should compromise, and allow him to pursue his special interests. It would make things a lot easier for all of you.



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10 Nov 2020, 7:54 pm

^ I agree that whenever possible special interests should be allowed. They give us purpose and joy, and are sometimes apart of our routine (which some of us depend on).



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10 Nov 2020, 8:16 pm

The programs are not at fault; it's his lack of understanding of appropriate behavior and social boundaries.  Be thankful he is not obsessed with Grand Theft Auto or other violent video games.


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Mariusz
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10 Nov 2020, 8:52 pm

AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
Mariusz wrote:
AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.

After he is watching this cartoons he is imitating in very unproperate way like take a cookie and eating like Cookie Monster crashing and destroying all over the house even if we are in someone else house, sometime he will walk to same strenger and talk to him like he is Elmo or other character and when someone is not playing along he gets frustrating


Yes crushing cookies everywhere and destroying the house is a negative behavior. In the past have you been able to teach him right from wrong behaviors (things like no hitting others, not running into the street, that sort of thing)? Does he have any specialists that work with him?

Why I have a feeling that you think I bad parent. Not teaching him nothing in the past.
From 2 years when we find out he was in ABA therapy , GFCF, oxygen therapy, homeopathy, all was available we have done it and that effort pay off. Only when puberty start I fill that my son regress and all I want is to help my son.
I'm disappointed how people react in this forum. I get it that maybe I did have wrong approach to that problem but most of the response for my question I felt that I was attack. All I want is best for my son



AuroraBorealisGazer
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10 Nov 2020, 9:36 pm

Mariusz wrote:
AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
Mariusz wrote:
AuroraBorealisGazer wrote:
It sounds like you're saying that these shows are his special interests, yes? From your post I'm not clear on why you do not want him watching them. Please provide further explanation on why you believe they are negatively impacting him.

After he is watching this cartoons he is imitating in very unproperate way like take a cookie and eating like Cookie Monster crashing and destroying all over the house even if we are in someone else house, sometime he will walk to same strenger and talk to him like he is Elmo or other character and when someone is not playing along he gets frustrating


Yes crushing cookies everywhere and destroying the house is a negative behavior. In the past have you been able to teach him right from wrong behaviors (things like no hitting others, not running into the street, that sort of thing)? Does he have any specialists that work with him?

Why I have a feeling that you think I bad parent. Not teaching him nothing in the past.
From 2 years when we find out he was in ABA therapy , GFCF, oxygen therapy, homeopathy, all was available we have done it and that effort pay off. Only when puberty start I fill that my son regress and all I want is to help my son.
I'm disappointed how people react in this forum. I get it that maybe I did have wrong approach to that problem but most of the response for my question I felt that I was attack. All I want is best for my son


I didn't say you were a bad parent. We cannot help without adequate information, therefore I must ask questions. It's necessary for us to understand your son capabilities and what services are in use.

It is good to want to help him. Please be aware that ABA and others listed are controversial. ABA is considered by many to be harmful. I recommend ceasing these treatments and working with someone, along with your son, to help him in ways that accept his differences and find ways to help him channel his desires to act out his interests in non-destructive ways. If you provide your country, someone hear may be able to suggest specific resources.



kraftiekortie
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11 Nov 2020, 9:06 am

I know it's hard raising an autistic kid.

I was an autistic kid, and it was hard to raise me LOL

All I'm saying is that maybe you should "prioritize" a little bit. Allow your son his interests that seem juvenile. It'll make him happy, and it'll make you happy because he's not destroying the house because he can't act like Cookie Monster.

I'm sorry if it seemed like I was "attacking" you.