So excited about trip - DS is STIMMING constantly!!

[sharadoc]

Hi all, DS usually doesn't stim too much, but he's constantly verbal and finger stimming in anticipation of our trip next week! He's SO excited about it, he's watching old videos, looking at old photos, even karaoke Disney songs On Demand!

I try to tell him to keep his hands quiet, or fingers quiet, and that usually works. Not sure what else to do other than just wait for the trip to get here! He doesn't needs meds or anything else specific to control it, other than just prompting to stop. Anyone have any ideas? I just hate when he goes too far "inside" with the stimming - it's like he's not "with" us and he's somewhere else.

 

[of2dbeach]

I would let him do it to a point because he kinda "Needs " to do it. What about getting him active and making a paper count down chain ? that way each day he can count the days and use his hands at the same time. Maybe see if he likes to color and print out some pics related to the trip.there is a web site i have for scavenger hunts etc. games for the car etc to print. it also might be fun to do a scavenger hunt for thing he will need for the trip . just tossing ideas at you. I will look for the link and post it

 

[nyrebecca]

My son will get the same way before anything exciting - going to Disney, going back to school after a break (he LOVES school).

I too am worried that with too much stimming he will be far off in his own world. I just try and keep him with us as much as possible by talking to him. He is not completely verbal, but if I ask him basic questions about things he likes I will get one or two word answers.

Sorry I don't have any more insight or help, but I do wish you the best of luck.

 

[of2dbeach]

ok found the link. its kinda for younger kid but my dd15 played along with my dd9 so it worked out well. I printed out a bunch of each to make packets for each kid . then i slipped them into report covers and gave them each a dry erase marker and a clip board. I also made up goodie bags for the trip and they could NOT open them untill after we dropped off the dog at grams 1 1/2 hrs away. it about killed them but it worked. i put gum, sunglasses, Harry Potter Uno cards, colored pencils, small pads of paper, trinkets etc.
My DD18 is Autistic and he used to spin all the time. he hasent done it that often but when he does I let him go for a few twirls ( he giggles like crazy which i love hearing ) then I make him stop and re direct him to something else like playing outside on the swingset ( yes he still swings ) its a huge wooden set DH made him
if I think of anything else I will post it too.. Have a great trip !!
http://www.momsminivan.com/printables.html

 

[sharadoc]

ok found the link. its kinda for younger kid but my dd15 played along with my dd9 so it worked out well. I printed out a bunch of each to make packets for each kid . then i slipped them into report covers and gave them each a dry erase marker and a clip board. I also made up goodie bags for the trip and they could NOT open them untill after we dropped off the dog at grams 1 1/2 hrs away. it about killed them but it worked. i put gum, sunglasses, Harry Potter Uno cards, colored pencils, small pads of paper, trinkets etc.
My DD18 is Autistic and he used to spin all the time. he hasent done it that often but when he does I let him go for a few twirls ( he giggles like crazy which i love hearing ) then I make him stop and re direct him to something else like playing outside on the swingset ( yes he still swings ) its a huge wooden set DH made him
if I think of anything else I will post it too.. Have a great trip !!
http://www.momsminivan.com/printables.html

Thanks. All good info, I will absolutely look at the site. I am firmly of the mindset that I shouldn't FORCE him to live in my world, so I don't mind his behaviors, but I just hate the withdrawn into his own world thing. He's verbal, but since puberty hit, he's also into the one or two word answers to question. He never offers any more.

We're looking into a tablet or iPad for communication for him. He types wonderful complete sentences, just doesn't speak them!

Thanks so much for your help!

 

[of2dbeach]

if you have an android phone look up "Back Talk"
its a little alien kinda looking guy his name is "Izzy" you can talk to him ot type and ask him about anything and he will talk to you you can tickle him, poke him etc and he interacts. My kids LOVE him even my 15 yr old dd will grab my phone. Ask him if he likes cats and he says yes there very tasty .. he is very funny too. when my son dosent talk well and use a sentence we use a verbal prompt untill he does. mike use your word.. how do you ask for things.. he has gotten alot better but he was mostly non-verbal. he has to talk because now he is doing job training. If he dosent talk then no one knows what he wants so we ignore him . When asked to say the magic word while making Christmas cookies and he wanted one he said "Abrah kadabra Mike wants a cookie" after I busted out laughing with tears in my eye I gave him not one but 2 cookies. love him LOVE him he is alot of work but man can he be funny.. try Izzy i think you will like him. if I find more programs I will pass them along too. add me so we can stay in touch
~Tonya ~

 

[sharadoc]

if you have an android phone look up "Back Talk"
its a little alien kinda looking guy his name is "Izzy" you can talk to him ot type and ask him about anything and he will talk to you you can tickle him, poke him etc and he interacts. My kids LOVE him even my 15 yr old dd will grab my phone. Ask him if he likes cats and he says yes there very tasty .. he is very funny too. when my son dosent talk well and use a sentence we use a verbal prompt untill he does. mike use your word.. how do you ask for things.. he has gotten alot better but he was mostly non-verbal. he has to talk because now he is doing job training. If he dosent talk then no one knows what he wants so we ignore him . When asked to say the magic word while making Christmas cookies and he wanted one he said "Abrah kadabra Mike wants a cookie" after I busted out laughing with tears in my eye I gave him not one but 2 cookies. love him LOVE him he is alot of work but man can he be funny.. try Izzy i think you will like him. if I find more programs I will pass them along too. add me so we can stay in touch
~Tonya ~

Thanks. I LOVE it! The "magic" word part made sense to him, makes you know that deep down, they understand and just can't make that connection to the mouth. I just saw your request - let's definitely keep in touch!

 

[bopper]

I saw this article and it may give another perception of stimming to you:


http://juststimming.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/the-obsessive-joy-of-autism/

"One of the things about autism is that a lot of things can make you terribly unhappy while barely affecting others. A lot of things are harder.

But some things? Some things are so much easier. Sometimes being autistic means that you get to be incredibly happy. And then you get to flap. "

Sounds like your son is incredibly happy to go to Disney!

 

[sharadoc]

I saw this article and it may give another perception of stimming to you:


http://juststimming.wordpress.com/2011/04/05/the-obsessive-joy-of-autism/

"One of the things about autism is that a lot of things can make you terribly unhappy while barely affecting others. A lot of things are harder.

But some things? Some things are so much easier. Sometimes being autistic means that you get to be incredibly happy. And then you get to flap. "

Sounds like your son is incredibly happy to go to Disney!

I agree with that philosophy for sure. I don't want to make him unhappy just to make him "fit in".

And YES, he is incredibly happy to be going to Disney. It's his absolute favorite. We were dancing in the kitchen tonight

 

[of2dbeach]

Mike dosent flap we never allowed it even when he started to. We do allow him to run and jump (outside) He does this run/jump thing and a scream Woohooooooooooo and he is LOUD! He forgets sometimes and did it in Chili's once after we went to go to the restroom. About scared the crap out of 2 ladies and I made him say "Sorry".. oh the joys of Autism. Sometimes I tell him I wish I could be "part of his world" /... on a side note I want to get a bumper sticker I saw it said Mom has PMS I have Autism, Don't push it !
but darn i cant think of the web site I saw it at ! Mike is 18 5'8 160# so imaging this flailing monster whooping for glory as he leaps in the air. He can get up really High his neuro saw him do it once and said man are you part gazelle Michael lol

 

[nyrebecca]

I am glad to see we aren't the only family that dances in the kitchen when we are happy !