[ComaWhite]

I have a 2 yo who we suspect is autistic
She is DESTROYING the house. And I dont mean a little bit.

We need ideas as we are renting and cant afford to pay for repairing the damages on an ongoing basis. (If we owned, Id let a lot of it go until she outgrows-hopefully-this stage)

The problem is I cant supervise her 100% of the time and this is what she needs.
Unfortunetly she is VERY clever and whenever I outsmart her, she just puzzle-solves a way around it. Every time. Its very frustrating.

HOW HOW HOW to you childproof a home minus locking the kid in a padded room and HOW HOW HOW do I distract her from her obsessions for long enough to change a baby diaper? HOW HOW HOW do I deal with the tantrums resulting from not letting her do this in the first place?

Our house is in total lockdown and its not fair or fun for anyone.

 

[AbbieB]

This is a really tough one.

The only thing I can think of is creating a play room and gating that room. That way DD can be in the DD proofed room while you get that diaper changed.

 

[momoftworedheads]

Is your daughter receiving any type of services? It sounds like she needs some sensory-based OT, and a behaviorist to come up with a plan for her. Also, could you try to get a mother's helper to come in and play with your 5 yr old so she could get a little more attention? I had a HS girl who would come over and play with my older 2 so I could deal with my youngest son.

I have 3 children as well. Two have Dx'es on the Spectrum. We have lots of days wher our 3 yr old trashes the house. We are coming up with ways to deal with him.

If you want to PM me that's fine. I can give you more suggestions that way.

Take care!
Jen Fischer

 

[williamsmommy2002]

We had to remove all chairs and other movable climb on things for a while. I would agree though that it sunds like you dd needs some ot and other services.

Hugs mama, 2 and 3 are hard but it has gotten a bit easier once they got a little older.

 

[WuWei]

-Give her things *TO DO* when you aren't available.
-A box with blunt junior scissors and old magazines.
-Put down a blanket or towel and give a saucer of water and spoons and measuring cups.
-Make a sensory box with beans, rice, dry pasta and cups and spoons to mix and play.
-Playdoh and cookie cutters.
-"Magic" crayons which only draw on the special paper.
-A decorated box to crawl through and hide in.
-Those long collapsible crawl through tubes. A ball tent.

Oh, a jump-o-lene! We had this one and ds LOVED it!! http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...uct_id=2069724

Others will have more ideas.

HTH, Pat

 

[Jennifer Z]

can you replace any doors with half doors (like those barn doors, or the doors you see at some reception counters or bars). Make the handle only on one side, and high enough that it can't be easily reached. (or, if there is an older child I know of a locking system that can be adjusted for a larger hand that is impossible for a smaller hand to get and really difficult for a tool to be used to help...but the key is that the hands of the people using the lock have to be bigger and stronger than the one you are trying to keep out)

We found our lives got a LOT better when ds got a little older because so many of his behaviors were more easily managable by us. We knew how to redirect him better and we had better tools to deal with things, and he matured. It does sound like you need to get an OT involved to meet some of the sensory needs and suggest toys and therapy things that will work with your child.

Is there a way to gate off the kitchen? It sounds like that is a major source of stress and making it inaccesible might really reduce the stress.

eta: the half door thing helps because it doesn't psychologically close off a room to the taller people, and allows you to see past "closed" doors to monitor better, but still handles containment. Same concept as baby gates, but can be used at a much higher height.

 

[WuWei]

-Heavy "work". Put a big bag of rice into a pillow case and sew it shut, have her pull or drag it around.
-Music player, simple and child-proof.

Here are a few threads about sensory ideas and sensory toys:

http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=ikea
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=ikea
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=ikea
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...highlight=ikea

Here are some 'Heavy Work Activities': http://www.sensory-processing-disord...ctivities.html

See this thread about diet/environmental info related to sensory seeking behavior: http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=779752

Here are about 50+ different sensory activities. See post #18 and #19. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...ry#post8889807

This is the swing we just hung in ds's bedroom. He spends hours in it everyday now. He is a much happier boy!! http://www.flickr.com/photos/[email protected]/ It cost $235 to buy. But I made it with fabric which was $2/yard!! (instructions in the last link, post #25-31) We love it. http://www.mothering.com/discussions...d.php?t=753091

Pat

 

[ComaWhite]

Ok these are really great ideas. I cant wait to sit down and sift through them.

 

[Aridel]

If you are in the US, you do not need a diagnosis to get services through Early Intervention, and depending on state regulations, you might be able to refer her yourself. They would come out to your house, do an assessment and therapy. It would not involve a diagnosis, though having an ASD diagnosis does entitle children to more services than they would otherwise get.

 

[sbgrace]

My boys are almost five. All the cabinets have tot locks and I have gates to the entrances to the kitchen. I can also gate off the playroom which is completely child proofed. I guess my thought is that you can explain to the five year old that it's frustrating but sister's brain works a little differently and she can't understand right now what isn't ok to do. So the gates are for her. The five year old will have to be patient but at five should be able to understand the why and exercise patience in waiting to be let in.

 

[ComaWhite]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aridel If you are in the US, you do not need a diagnosis to get services through Early Intervention, and depending on state regulations, you might be able to refer her yourself. They would come out to your house, do an assessment and therapy. It would not involve a diagnosis, though having an ASD diagnosis does entitle children to more services than they would otherwise get.

Im in canada, my friend has been through the program and she is helping guide me along the steps, I think it works a little differently here and forging a paper trail is not one of my strengths.
I know for the assessment, it is 2 full days of testing that are performed at a hospital that specifically deals with mental health.

 

[lil_miss_understood]

I'm not sure what province you're in and I'm not certain the program runs in every province, but if you've heard of Baby First (it's a public health program), you might want to give your public health nurse a call. It was a HUGE help with DS1 before I started figuring out his food intolerances/allergies. The worker/visitor provided through the program is a great resource and may be able to point you to services which could help, along with giving suggestions and ideas of how to cope with her behavior yourself.

 

[anabellee]

I've had to place heavy furniture in front of every electrical outlet in our home. ds2 is fixated and knows how to remove the childproof things.

: the first few days of this led to screaming in front of the furniture. we use gates here. I've got the smooth/solid plastic ones that can be bolted to the wall and there's no way to climb them. our kitchen cabinets are really crappy and there's no way to put locks on them so we just keep the kids out unless we're in there with them. we also have a completely childproofed playroom which is a big help if I need to run laundry up/down the stairs

good luck with getting services! I remember how frustrating it was before we moved to MI. the OT has REALLY made a difference in my son.