Ds is biting us-need help

iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Ds is biting us-need help
6
Tue, 09-18-2007 - 4:19pm

I only have a minute here.

Molly
Avatar for littleroses
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-28-2003
Tue, 09-18-2007 - 6:03pm

iVillage Member
Registered: 06-25-2003
Tue, 09-18-2007 - 6:54pm

Peter used to bite sometimes when he was younger, but he mostly bit himself! I was honestly tempted to paint his arms with mustard or hotsauce, but that would have guaranteed a sensory meltdown.


I figured it was an attention thing and totally blanked it out. It was tough getting other adults NOT to respond to this behaviour. I spent more time training DH and the daycare people than the boy.

-Paula

visit my blog at www.onesickmother.com
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Tue, 09-18-2007 - 10:53pm

Hi Paula,


Yes, I agree that the fruit leathers, etc should be used ahead so he doesn't feel the need to bite later.

Molly
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Wed, 09-19-2007 - 12:18am

Molly,

Just a quick visual for our phone call.

Make it a routine for yourself. The transition from school seems to be the toughest when he is having TV, etc. Give him that down time and pair it with some sensory/crunchy/chewy snacks. I learned yesterday that the TMJ joint is like the biggest proprioceptive receptor and with the biting he is definitely looking for that.

Sooooooo

1. After school - down time (TV if that is what works for a scheduled time) with applesauce through a straw, frozen twizzlers or fruit leathers, pretzels, big thick bagels, etc.

2. Cut the homework to either none or something fun he is successful at (reading together perhaps) until the behaviors go down. This is another tough thing for him right now so reduce it.

Oh the homework if you are going to do soemthing together fun like reading I wouldn't call it "homework" right away. Like "we are going to do homework". Instead I would schedule in a "reading time" like we are going to read together kind fo thing and then say after, wow we finished our homework, that was FUN! Do that for a bit, then maybe phrase it as homework. Then add in some questions you write the answer too maybe or similar. THen slowly you can start adding in some homework from school going really easy at first. This could take weeks, months or the whole year. If the behaviors increase cut back.

I would always follow up with something fun or rewarding as well.

As an example our current routine isn't much different. Currently when we get home we have a snack (usually a very crunchy, sensory based types snack) and break time (for Mike I do sensory activities, sometimes I let him stim for 30 minutes or perhaps an activity like ride his bike. For him it has to be a heavy aerobic hard exercise type thing). Then we do homework. For finishing their homework they get electronics time until dinner. (usually throw chores in there somewhere as well).

Starting the afternoon off with heavy sensory and a snack really helps. Having teh electronics as a reward for finishing their work does as well.

And for the biting a consistent neutral consequence like we discussed. I konw you have lots of visuals so perhaps some visuals of this will help as well. I have a really cool board maker semesterware on my laptop for class. if you want I can probably make you something and email it.

Renee

Photobucket
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-13-2003
Wed, 09-19-2007 - 11:27am

Thank you Renee.

Molly
iVillage Member
Registered: 06-13-2007
Thu, 09-20-2007 - 2:32am

Hey all....I don't really know how to address this issue with an ASD child. I'm sure there are very effective ways to break biting. My brother was 9yrs. my junior, so I remember his toddler years well. He was a SEVERE biter...he would dang near draw blood! My parents tried everything under the sun to get him to stop....although he never bit THEM...until the ONE TIME.............. he bit my mother and DID draw blood! She said it hurt her so bad that she, without even thinking, reached down and bit him back! Not nearly as hard as he had bitten her mind you, but hard enough for him to feel it. HE NEVER BIT AGAIN...EVER. My guess is that he didn't realize just HOW much he was hurting people until he got bitten himself! Now my mother felt HORRIBLE about biting him back, but she was so glad that it broke him so it wasn't a total nightmare. I'm not suggesting that you do this, but just saying not to feel like a complete heel if it ever crossed your mind. Actually, a lot of elderly folks I have spoken to on this subject just in passing have said it is the only way to break them cuz it lets them know the pain they are inflicting on others. But if you can find a less invasive way