parents of autistic children

Replies

By Tricia

Re: parents of autistic children
Mon 5 May 2008 22:16

Hello Evelyn

Does your son do this just with certain drinks or all drinks?

If he does this with all drinks you could try in giving him just a small amount in a cup or a smaller cup so he does not realise that there is less in the cup. This way there is less for him to spill out.

This will be difficult because you can't deny any child a drink when they say they are thirsty and if I go by my son he does drink a lot of fluids.

By kerry.

Re: parents of autistic children
Tue 6 May 2008 19:40

Hi Evelyn,
well my youngest would do this for a reaction.
but hes a little git lol.

maybe your son has seen it on tv- ya know, maybe someone putting out a fire (being as you say he chucks it over the hearth)???

Bit of a puzzle otherwise!

By EL

Re: parents of autistic children
Wed 7 May 2008 12:48

Hiya evelyn, I have learned over time that the more you react the more he will do it, also as you know routine and structure is paramount to a child with Autism, dont allow under any circumstances any drinks other than at the table, it will be a struggle at first and he will probably kick off for a while but stick to your guns and dont back down. Some Autistic kids hate rules but do tend to stick to them, draw or print a picture of 'drink at table only' similar to picture cards he would see at school giving instructions. I have these everywhere all over the house for all sorts of things, they do work

By AutismSpeaksForRiley

Re: parents of autistic children
Wed 7 May 2008 20:03

My son does this with yogurt pots and the like- he seems to want to hear a particular sound or see a spill, i really think it's a sensory thing. My son cannot talk or sing in halls or echoey places but will in normal rooms, for some autistic children the sounds and feel of things are very important and fascinating- try giving your son a non spill cup ( i know this sounds baby-ish) or say he can only have this cup of drink at the table, and then chat to him to keep his mind occupied. We often go through spellings and songs at the table at milk time because my son is incapable of pouring drinks on himself. Trial and error- keep your chin up :)

By loopy

Re: parents of autistic children
Sun 11 May 2008 22:33

ha! my daughter used to smash eggs on the floor and "flap" at the mess she had made. She also used to crunch up weetabix and scatter a whole box over the floor, "flap" at the mess. Also, she used to use dinner plates as "frisbee's" and "flap" at them as they smashed on the floor!!

By coby6602

Re: parents of autistic children
Sun 11 May 2008 22:42

When Mark was young and we just thought he was just 'different' we had to stop him from following the waiter at the pool round on holiday, it turned out he liked the sound his flipflops made when he walked. Everyone was wearing flipflops but he only liked the sound of the waiters