Anyone have any ideas on how to deal with teenage behavior problems?

Lindsy - posted on 09/26/2011

Try taking him off zoloft and have it changed to something else. I know a lot of people who have problems with zoloft who don't have a mental problem. My son had a stroke at birth and has seziures from it. They put him on a med. Called lamotrigine. It is used for seziures but it was made for kids with bi-polar disorder. After they put my son on it he was a totally different child. My son has a lot of traits of autism. I was ready to loose my mind on what to do. I also had a behavioral specialist come to my home and show me how to properly punish him. If ur son gets help threw ddd or state services talk to ur case manager about get one. They tought me a lot about what's ok and what's not for punishment. I myself have takin zoloft and within 2 weeks of being on it I felt crazier then I really was. If he sees a nuroligest I would talk to him about the behavor issues too. I hope I have help some.

Lindsay - posted on 09/05/2011

Just as a suggestion, not sure if you have tried it. But dose he has a visual schedule? I know he's non verbal but if he can understand the pictures this could maybe ease some of his stress. Knowing whats next could make a world of difference. I have 2 autistic kids both high functioning. My daughter is the one with many sensory issues, when it comes to taking his clothes off this could be a way of trying to say that this particular article of clothing dose NOT feel good, or if this only happens during a tantrum maybe he docent like the feeling of being warm and sweaty. There are just ideas...and maybe ones you have already thought of. But as the body changes so do the behaviours it seems.

Headder - posted on 02/25/2009

Maybe you can try him on wearing weights, like ankle and wrist weights. Kids like to wear this, well I know my son does and many I know of have tried this with their kids and it has worked. Try even having this at the school where he goes and also try to get a weighted vest as well for he to have on at home for an hr. a day or however long he can stand to wear this! I have been to where you are now and my son is just 12 yrs. old now. Keep doing it all, it will take sometime to get use to, but you will get through it all!

Rachel - posted on 02/25/2009

  We have started using the industrial ear muffs.  It did help him somewhat yesterday.  We are going to try those and putting him on the bus before anyone else is on to get him aclcimated to his environment before any confusion.  Thanks for your input.

Thitiya - posted on 02/21/2009

You're welcome Rachel.

Yes,Im agree with you Kerry .

Kerry - posted on 02/20/2009

Hi rachel, my oldest son is high functioning autism and he didnt like noise in the car so we got him industrial ear muffs and told him to wear them.  If you son likes video he may travel better with a portable dvd player and headset. some people might see that as letting him get away with no consequence for his behaviour but if it keeps everyne else in the car safe, then its better than arguing all the time or listening to fights or undressing. 

About school buses usually forget it is a good idea, the other kids stare, stir and make the child feeel frustrated (especially if he is non verbal) get the schools to make a taxi order to get him to and from school as bus is unsuitable. maybe tell him its a treat he gets to go to school in a special taxi, but to be allowed taxi he has to sit in his belt and keep quiet and still, or he wont be allowed. but special taxi what a lucky boy, show us how taxi ride is done.

Con him, bribery works, and he knows a lot more than you think, the non verbal is unfortunate but treat him and talk to him as if he is the same as his physical age, he may be less frustrated when people dont treat him like he is dumb (simplified in their terms, my kids, i have 3 autistics, hate it when you downgrade things, they tell me all the time Im not stupid mum)

the hitting windows and walls might be a spatial awareness thing, it may help him to focus on where he is in the world, room, vehicle.  some have trouble on placing themselves in a room so touching the walls helps them to focus.  maybe a simple sentace when he goes into a place that sets him off something like "robert is in the car, robert may touch the windows, robert may not touch the windows hard because they will break. The drive will be only ten minutes so robert can sit still in his seatbelt"   usisng his name will help him to focus that you are talking to or about him.

Rachel - posted on 02/20/2009

Thanks Thitiya .   I may try those head sets that block out noise to see if that helps. Since he is non verbal I'm just so confused.  Not sure what to say about the boy wanting to be a girl issue but good luck.

Thitiya - posted on 02/19/2009

I have a child 14 yrs with PDD/Autism , I had similar problem when he was young 7 years of age .He had no problem with the car rides excepted school bus,he had to wear the harnest inorder to keep him in his seat for safety ,my son  didn't like it but he had learn big time for the rule of  riding the  bus ,to sit propperly and well behave . He had worn the harnest for 1 yr  then removed after he turn 8 yrs . I haven't seen or received any complain of missed behavior on the school bus since then .At the age of 10 ,he able to tell me that the sound of the school bus is really hurt his ears  .According his major hyper-sensitive to noises ,he is still plugging his ears everytime the school bus passing by also he will blog all the noises that bothering him by plugging his ears .He always travelling with ear plugs all the time  included at school .In this case, try different type of vehicles may help with the noise issue and you can request through the school board .Last year,my son really enjoined riding in the mini van and he able to tell me"he like it". At this moment ,I'm challenging with confusing gender>>my son wanted to be a girl

Rachel - posted on 02/19/2009

Thank you.

Karin - posted on 02/18/2009

I have an almost 12 yr old with Aspergers, but he is quite high functioning. I'm sorry I don't have any suggestions to help you, but I offer you a hug, and I hope you can hang in there until you find some help. Have you got a case worker to help you get some extra services for him, such as wraparound, or respite (for you)?

I doubt taking away his videos will help, he won't understand that it's a punishment/consequence, and it will probably only upset him more. Try to keep a schedule going, routine is so important. Check with his doctor to see if the meds are still appropriate for him - perhaps he needs an adjustment or to try something different. Something is obviously upsetting or worrying him, that's why he's acting out and since he doesn't have verbal skills, this is how he's trying to express it. Good luck, hang in there.