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A MyAutismTeam Member asked a question 💭
Margate, FL

Does anyone out there have a child with severe autism? I mean one who has self injurious behaviors such as head banging, biting, kicking, etc. He is non verbal, still in diapers, has trouble walking which results in dropping to the ground. He also has stomach issues such as, reflux, gastritis, and trouble chewing and swallowing. Food has to be cut up very small for him to eat or he will gag. He also has a feeding tube to administer medicine. Doctors have told us that they have never… read more

June 8, 2017
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Answer Summary

Members deeply connected over the challenges of raising children with severe autism, sharing experiences with self-injurious behaviors,... Read more

Members deeply connected over the challenges of raising children with severe autism, sharing experiences with self-injurious behaviors, feeding difficulties, and nonverbal communication struggles that many parents described as overwhelming and isolating. Several members offered practical strategies that transformed their children's lives, including specialized residential programs with intensive one-on-one therapy, allergy testing and treatment with Zyrtec and Flonase to reduce meltdowns, eliminating casein and gluten to prevent headaches, and using tools like speech tablets, noise-canceling headphones, and cold washcloths during episodes. A recurring theme was understanding that aggression and self-injury are often communication of physical pain rather than behavioral issues, with members encouraging each other to investigate underlying medical causes like acid reflux, food sensitivities, ear infections, and allergies while celebrating hard-won milestones and acknowledging the exhausting but worthwhile journey of advocacy and care.

A MyAutismTeam Member

I know we r having a very bad week I understand

June 14, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

Thank you so much for all the information you provided. I do hope your boys are doing better!

June 29, 2018
A MyAutismTeam Member

I have two severe twin boys that have acid reflux remember that food has to burn coming up and being nonverbal if you see this it needs treated by a dr. that is one thing to help your child . The second thing is Allergies will make your children hit themselves and head bang we would take our boys out in the backyard to swing they would be out there for a short time and start beating theirselves up and crying we would take them right back 8n the house had no clue why they were doing this and head banging in the middle of the night our boys showed no signs of out door allergies only after the melt down was almost over they rubbed their nose once upward to the ceiling . We took them to numerous DR's no one knew finally after a few years we made it to an Allergist who pricked their backs my boys are allergic to everything out side he prescribed Zyrtec no dye in it and one spray in each nostril daily of Flonase Childrens what a big big difference this made in their life and our. I also want to point out about casein found in milk and gluten found in bread and almost everything else can give them headaches our type of children will hit theirselves and head bang to get rid of the gain the headache is giving them if they are intolerant they should be tested blood work will show this or on your own eliminate it but I would advise seeing a doctor for allergies and have them checked for food sensitivities. The last piece of advice I can give is get head phones to help eliminate the loud sounds when your out they sell a good pair for about $50.00. These things I shared made a big difference and one more thing when they want to bite you it's not that they are being mean they can not talk and they are in pain so they may communicate that they hurt so if they bite you you know that's what they are feeling once my one son had a tooth that was infected it can be a ear infection so what I am trying to say our children are feeling PAIN that is why they are having melt downs and beating theirselves up and you. We always tried to give a very cold wash cloth or at least a wet wash cloth even helps when they are teething. I hope I helped one child out there today. They should give us this what I just shared when we find out they have Austism and they are non verbal wish I had this would of saved them and me a lot of aggravation and pain.

June 16, 2018
A MyAutismTeam Member

👐👐

June 15, 2017
A MyAutismTeam Member

Thank you Pop. It is very difficult when they are so severe!

June 14, 2017

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fairfax va, VA

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