Handling Extreme Self-Injurious Behaviors in Autism

[J3ANP3T3R]

We have a 5 year old here in the Philippines who began showing signs of throwing fists at his head. he does that whenever you take away something from him, when he is hungry , or sometimes when he is happy. he doesnt hurt himself out of the blue. when we yell at him "NO!" he stops hurting himself but begins to cry loud and he doesnt stop crying. if we dont carry him or give him food later hell go back to hurting himself because he is frustrated.

[Jesusfreak3378]

you are tahe abest Mom on earth .. praying for you, I know what this is like first hand...

[rainnken2000]

That wouldn't work for me, I can't swim.

[jesskazen]

@CrackedUnicorn if you are in water it feels like deep pressure touching on your whole body. The water feels heavy on your skin. Something about having pressure applied makes me focus on that and not the bad feelings coming from my brain, sensory overload, frustration, rage, chaos,. Every day being reminded that I am not like everyone else in some way really is really upsetting. I am very overly sensitive. I only have Asperger's or HFA though, but I am assuming he feels how I feel.

[jesskazen]

contd: If I have smoked cannabis I can talk to people a lot easier, be around people without freaking out. It makes me feel calm and "normal" or how I think a normal person feels. I have not found anything that will make the touch from others not feel like needles sticking into my skin. All antidepressants don't work for autistics, I dont know why but even tricyclics didn't work. I do the same thing as your son, the head punching. It jolts you out of the bad feeling every time you hit yourself

[jesskazen]

I am not trying to promote drugs in any way. I hate smoking more than anything, the smell of a cigarette sends me into a rage, but the only thing I have ever found that made all of these horrible sensory feelings and intrusive obsessive thoughts go away was smoking marijuana. In states where it is medicinally legal I know they sell edibles. I wish I could use those instead. Like any drug it has side effects, increased appetite for sugar is one thing I hate about it.

[CDFoakley]

@jesskazen Research shows there are strains out there that do not elevate appetite. It's a shame medical community hasn't looked more into medical cannabis. After the traumatic experience my son had when given Haldol, I find it hard to believe medical cannabis is more damaging than some of these older anti-psychotics.

[CDFoakley]

@CDFoakley I'm glad the MMJ helps you. Other people with aspergers have reported the same effect. Though they've said marinol, the only form in a pill that is prescribed is awful. Probably cause it's synthetic. A few Universities are studying medical cannabis. Gosh, I guess those researchers are having a good time...lol

[TalogaGirl]

I have a 41 y/o son with autism and, although we have had some very difficult times, I must say that I feel very, very fortunate after seeing what you have to cope with. I am sorry for the simplistic solutions people ask you about --- as if you probably haven't tried or at least read about every possible treatment. Parents of autistic children truly are the experts. A sociologist named gil eyal wrote a paper about that very subject. It's on the web.

[snowygurl87]

it touches me greatly how much a mother does for her kids...

[Wela143]

My 8 yr. old granddaughter had an episode 2 hours ago, she is Autistic and mentally retarded she's really strong for her age so when she goes through self injurious behavior she hurts herself real bad. Her doctor has prescribed Seroquel 25 MG. to be honest she's been through lots of different types of medications and nothing seems to work. I've had people tell me that her mom was neglecting and abusing her, her mom even confessed to me that she slammed the baby into her crib.

[CDFoakley]

@Wela143 OMgosh, how sad. I hope you are caring for the child and the mom is getting therapy. Any mom that would slam her baby into crib should NOT be allowed back with the child until she gets some serious help.

[Wela143]

@CDFoakley I had to take my granddaughter back home, I'm going to be moving out of state in the very near future so I can help my granddaughter the mom almost lost custody a few years ago she did get the help she needed. Did you ever hear about DAN? I heard they help Autistic kids get a little better but I also heard they are expensive. I want to find out what I have to do to throw a fundraiser.

[jesskazen]

@Wela143 no medications work, none at all, there is no point in trying or taking them. If they work on non autistics they are not going to work on autistics. I have heard that drugs like Naltrexone block the endorphin rush that you get from hurting yourself. After a while you will build up a tolerance to your own natural opiates/damage nerve endings from repeated abuse and need to do worse and worse things to get the same feeling. The Dr says I have Asperger's but I think its worse than that

[yolandaporty]

@Wela143 nosotros nos metemos todos cuando vamos al RAIZON una pisina de PAMPLONITA, pues creo que el se siente mejor en FAMILIA .. todos la pasamos chido..

[aariaffxi]

i do this same thing! i work with a severely autistic 11 year old boy and  the pool or the shower calm him so much. its really the only thing..

[sandy10842]

GOD BLESS YOUR HEART FOR HAVING TO SAFELY DEAL WITH THIS.. YOU, DEFINITELY, ARE AN ANGEL FROM HEAVEN...HE IS AN EXTREMELY LUCKY CHILD TO HAVE A MOTHER LIKE YOU..

[princesscaesar]

wow ur an amazing woman/mom

[sammysyrett]

i really do not know how people can deal with such a sever condition, its amazing what this mom does for her son, but always worrys me that what sort of life do people with such sever autism have? is it worse in the long run? if you were able to know if your child in the womb had a serious condition would you have an abortion instead? (hope no one takes offence, just a thought considered during conception)

[bavarianwerks]

This has to be one of the most stressful things ever

[ozark5150]

have you ever tried some type of comunication aid? Such as AAC. Praying for your son!

[CDFoakley]

@ozark5150 Yes, he will hit a button for food, but problem is he'll hit it for hours and wants to keep getting his treats, so we have to re direct him from the button after he's eaten! Thanks for prayers, much needed for him.

[claudinhacarmo1]

You are incredible ! Jamey is so lucky to have the mom he has !! Wonderfull job ! My heart is with your family, hoping life gets easier, you deserve it so much ...

[sarahrose0413]

Good mommy!!!! My son loves the water and it calms him too. Thank you for posting all these videos of your beautiful boy!!

[momadukie]

It seems like he might be in pain, I know my son hits his head its seems like he might have a headache, so when I catch him rubbing his head I give 1 advil and it is one of the many ways I have stopped the dreaded SIB.

[AuthorityofSuns]

I believe that he is possessed by a demon. Pray to Jesus Christ so that he won't punch himself..

[420LadyBlaze]

Good luck and I wish all the best for him and your doing all you can and that is wonderful...much love to you and your family

[IntoxicatedZombehh]

Why is this video spinning?

[CDFoakley]

@IntoxicatedZombehh Because our lives are spinning

[CJEB4]

We just got in home support for our son. He is 6 yrs old now, self injurious and severe like your brother. He is over 4 ft tall and this is only the beginning :( We have tried so many different interventions without much success. We did DMSA and saw great progress but abcessed teeth came with it. We will be going to Dr. Buttar soon, I will update you when we move in a few months, hoping for progress, but not expecting it.

[msjohnston82]

wow... i must say you have handled your jamie quite well. As all mothers do with autistic children or adults. I have learnt alot from watching your vids as my 4 yr old son has self injurious behaviour too. He has server autism. thank u for posting ur videos.

[diwatanggubat]

Does he like the swing? Does he like to bounce on his bottom using an exercise ball? Even the Bosu ball helps.These are just some suggestions. I have seen them work well on autistic children. And also joint compression .

[diwatanggubat]

Bless your heart! If I may ask... Is it possible he has a headache that is why he is punching his head? Can you try giving him headache medicine?

Is it also possible that his self injurious behavior is due to a need for sensory input due to sensory cravings? Does he do occupational therapy for sensory activities? Water is a very good sensory feel for kids with autism. It is indeed very calming.

[MiraculousMoments]

James seems so upset in this video - like big crocodile tears upset. What was the trigger for the meltdown? Glad you were able to redirect him, though :)

*Hugs, prayers, and love*

[420LadyBlaze]

You may be inadvertently reinforcing his self injurious behavior. He knows if he freaks out and starts hitting himself there is a good chance he will go in the pool. Do you get ABA Therapy for his behaviors? Are you at least getting In Home Supportive Services and Protective Services? What state do you live in? I live in California and they have those programs. Thanks for posting this video..

[CDFoakley]

@420LadyBlaze Yes, it appears we re-inforce behavior, but you have to understand Jamey will OUTLAST everyone. He doesn't respond like most kids to ABA. He will outlast even the best expert in ABA. That's why nobody wants his case. They see how incredible his "stamina" is and how despite ABA, he won't stop until he gets what he wants. He's a tough case.

[marlyonama]

when was this taped?

[CDFoakley]

@marlyonama and others wondering abougt NURSING coverage: I am fighting for my life for MORE coverage and it's not easy. Believe me, I KNOW I can't handle this all the time ALONE. The question is do the bureacrats working for San Diego Regional Center who have the POWER to authorize more coverage: are they going to authorize it? Feel free to email San Diego Regional Center and express your opinion! I'm doing all I can, but I'm only one person. I try to show them reality and they don't want it.

[CDFoakley]

@marlyonama This was a few days ago. He started punching himself for NO apparent reason. He does have a red dot on his right eye, so he may have clocked himself in eye during one of his many episodic punching fits, which come out of nowhere, so this may be bothering him. The nurses we have for some shift coverage and I have put antibiotic cream on his eye, but it takes 2-3 people to get this done. He fights us. Turns and wiggles out of range when we try to put in antibiotic cream.

[crazyboafrog1986]

Jamey seems really upset in this video .. glad the pool calmed him down in this situation. continues to pray.

[professorice25]

These videos r close to my heart

[123booklady]

Aww! Bless you and your family! Does he nap all day? What are his hobbies? What does he do all day?

[CDFoakley]

@123booklady He loves to walk. And walk. And then some bouncing on trampoline. More walking. Watching trees blow in wind. Watches TV but only for colors, it seems. Not more than 20 mins of it will he watch. Also loves car rides, but if he's punching self, it gets dangerous unless 2-3 people are in car to help.

[landth78]

I always get jealous when people have a big beautiful pool... Im always like I DESERVE THAT POOL MORE!!!!

But you... DEFINITELY deserve that pool for what you do... :P

At the beginning of the video when you did the spinning effect I almost felt like hitting myself because it was so annoying xD

Anyways best of luck... SUPER MOM

[pshepherd58]

that was great. I know what it is all about. My son is 20 and autistic and you have to be ready for anything they do. you are great. keep putting the videos on .I will keep watching.

[90findingnemo0]

next time you need you have backup

[CDFoakley]

@90findingnemo0 You are very right. I'm lucky things didn't go sideways. I'm always stuck between two worlds: call for help and risk social services or 911 misjudging situation, or don't call and risk myself getting injured trying to handle him alone from injurying himself. The situation would be solved if the state would agree to at least 2-10 hr shifts where nurses are helping. (males nurses) I'm all for woman power, but sometimes it takes a man.

[90findingnemo0]

@CDFoakley its not a good idea to do it on your alone. Get someone to help you. Get help. from nurses