Flexible thinking - Autistic 4 yo

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How could you conclude this is avoidance as opposed to attention-seeking? I’ve observed kids on the spectrum do stuff like this because it gets them a predictable reaction that they see as positive attention. Then they become rigid about it.

Could be either one, but when it arises in the context of a demand (rather than, say, feeling bored during playtime, or some other reason to want attention), that makes it seem like avoidance.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You need professional support to handle this. His rigidity should not control the family. Personally I would ignore the pretend animal stuff because I find it annoying.

What kind of professional support would you recommend?

[Anonymous]

Our 8YO is in therapy with the Anxiety Disorders Clinic at Children's Hospital. We thought we were dealing with anxiety, but they have not found sufficient evidence of anxiety, only in-flexibility or rigidity ... which can look like Anxiety turns out! Thankfully, some of the same strategies apply.

At 4, therapy won't be helpful for the kid, but it could be for parents. The Children's program focuses on teaching the parents strategies so we can scaffold the child through processing their anxiety and/or rigidity. It's been very, very helpful. I know Children's has parent coaching groups in a few practice areas. I agree seeking a professional would be helpful. Your pediatrician may have ideas.

[Anonymous]

Thank you, PP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an autistic 4 years old. We struggle with rigid thinking. He, for instance, likes to pretend he is a character or animal. These pretend plays are always on, he does not allow us to call him other than this character/animal and can go on for months. He gets very upset and has meltdowns frequently if we mistakenly call him by his name. He is also very rigid about certain routines, lights on at bedtime, etc... I´m exhausted and need advice on how to promote more flexible thinking.

I think improv class really helped my kid with Autism become more flexible. Imagination stage was wonderful.

[Anonymous]

This is a great tip! Thank you!

[Anonymous]

I think too many (well-intentioned but misinformed or uneducated) people view behavior as “they do it for attention or they do it to avoid things or it’s sensory-seeking”. When you’re dealing with complex human behaviors and complex behavioral interactions there’s just so much more to it than that.

You need a professional, and an experienced one at that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think too many (well-intentioned but misinformed or uneducated) people view behavior as “they do it for attention or they do it to avoid things or it’s sensory-seeking”. When you’re dealing with complex human behaviors and complex behavioral interactions there’s just so much more to it than that.

You need a professional, and an experienced one at that.

OP knows her DC better than any person on the Internet and better than any expert.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think too many (well-intentioned but misinformed or uneducated) people view behavior as “they do it for attention or they do it to avoid things or it’s sensory-seeking”. When you’re dealing with complex human behaviors and complex behavioral interactions there’s just so much more to it than that.

You need a professional, and an experienced one at that.

OP knows her DC better than any person on the Internet and better than any expert.

Ok great! No professionals needed after all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You need professional support to handle this. His rigidity should not control the family. Personally I would ignore the pretend animal stuff because I find it annoying.

What kind of professional support would you recommend?

ABA or behavioral therapy.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t ABA rejected by the autistic community?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Isn’t ABA rejected by the autistic community?

Only by a loud minority.