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Autism/obsession in an autistic child

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Expert: - 2/22/2011


Question
Hello, I've come to read about the obsession in children with autism here in this website. I am a sped educator.  I have a student who has a lot of obsessions like flags, banners, handkerchiefs, pens, markers and ball pens.  If he did not get what he wants, he tend to have tantrums, hit himself even his classmates including his teacher. Kindly help me out how to have  "substitutes" for his obsessions.  Thank you so much.

Answer
Hi Ned

The behavior that you are seeing is common among the autism population. They get fixated on something and if they can't have it, they display inappropriate behaviors. Your choice is this: allow the student to have what he wants or get rid of the item from the classroom all together so that the issue is not in your class. He may, however, turn his obsessions to another item.

Your other option is to work with the behaviorist in your district who can set up a behavioral plan to phase out his obsessions.

Of course, there is also medications that help. So you may want to recommend that the parents seek a medical professional's help as well

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Valerie Herskowitz

Expertise

I am an autism expert and speech pathologist (for over 30 years). I am also the parent of a child with autism. I can answer any question on autism dealing with communication, education, behavior and diet. I cannot answer questions that are medical in nature or are dealing with medications.

Experience

I have run a therapy center for individuals with autism since 1981. I lecture all over the country. I also teach classes on autism on line.

Organizations
Vice President of Communications Florida Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists Member American Speech and Hearing Association, MembernAutism Society of America, President of the National Autism Registry, Vice President of the Association for Developmentally Disabled Adults and Adolescents.

Publications
Autism Society of America's national publication (September 2008). Advance Magazine, South Florida Parenting, Spectrum Magazine, I am the author of: Autism and Computers: Maximizing Independence Through Technology (available:www.valerieherskowitz.com)

Education/Credentials
I have a masters degree in speech pathology

Awards and Honors
I won a Stevie Award in 2004: Lifetime Achievement Award for my work with individuals with autism. My therapy center won, Judge's Choice Award Best Center in South Florida by South Florida Parenting magazine 2005.

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