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I work with a 6-year old boy with autism who hits himself violently in the head whenever he sees his hands. Over the summer the boy's mother put weights on his hands and the boy didn't hit himself when he was wearing the weights. Now the weights don't work, the only thing that works is if the boy has a blanket covering his hands.
If the boy has a blanket over his hands he is able to play, utilize his hands functionally, and not hurt himself. If the boy has mittens on he hits himself. If the blanket is held above the boy's hands he does not hurt himself but will utilize his hands functionally.
Anyone have any ideas?? This child needs help.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Autistic Boy Can't Put Food in His Mouth
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I work with a boy with autism who is able to scoop and finger feed, has good fine motor/motor planning skills but is unable to put food in his mouth. At meal times he sits with his caregiver (school staff or mom) and will scoop or pick up his food with his fingers, but when he gets a few inches from his mouth he freezes.
He will stick his tongue out to touch the food (frequently), but needs someone to push his hand to put the food in his mouth. When you push his hand he resists so it's almost a fight to get the food in his mouth. If you leave the boy with the food inches from his mouth he will scream and try to grab the caregiver's hand to help him get the food in his mouth.
If you ignore him he will get mad and pound the table and continue to try to get the caregiver to help him. The boy seems to like to eat and will eat large amounts of a variety of foods. From time to time if he is distracted he will be able to feed himself independently.
The boy's mother reports that he started this behavior over the summer after having a mitochondrial crisis. I have found food issues with kids with autism linked to mitochondrial issues but not like this. Anyone have any ideas?
He will stick his tongue out to touch the food (frequently), but needs someone to push his hand to put the food in his mouth. When you push his hand he resists so it's almost a fight to get the food in his mouth. If you leave the boy with the food inches from his mouth he will scream and try to grab the caregiver's hand to help him get the food in his mouth.
If you ignore him he will get mad and pound the table and continue to try to get the caregiver to help him. The boy seems to like to eat and will eat large amounts of a variety of foods. From time to time if he is distracted he will be able to feed himself independently.
The boy's mother reports that he started this behavior over the summer after having a mitochondrial crisis. I have found food issues with kids with autism linked to mitochondrial issues but not like this. Anyone have any ideas?
Thursday, September 13, 2012
How to figure out total width of a wheelchair
Overall
widths and other dimensions vary across several categories of
Wheelchairs. Almost all wheelchair buyers should be concerned with some
of the basic dimensions such as overall width. You should begin by
scouting out the lay-of-the-land. Do this by identifying the smallest
and narrowest doorways, passage ways, elevators, or whatever you can
think of or visualize that will be part of your day. Around the home
it's usually a bathroom door or narrow hallway that limits access.
Heavier users with wider chairs may see obstacles at every turn.
In general, use the formulas below to determine the overall width of a wheelchair:
- Transport Wheelchair: Seat Width + 3"
- Standard Folding Wheelchair: Seat Width + 8"
- Reclining Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"
- Bariatric Wheelchairs: Seat Width + 8"
Monday, September 10, 2012
Thursday, September 6, 2012
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
Special Needs: Transition Planning
Transition: Planning For the Future
by Linda Jorgensen
What
do you want to be when you grow up? Most children begin seriously
thinking about what they would like to be when they grow up while still
in their early teens. It is no different for a child with disabilities.
However, children needing extra help and services find that once they
graduate from the education system the programs and supports they need
change or often disappear altogether. Given the changes currently
occurring nationwide, it is imperative for parents to actively begin
thinking about the transition process and what programs and services
their child may need well before he/she graduates from the education
system.
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