also, get it written into the iep. Both an accommondation for waiting to be picked up. And as a learning goal.

Im so sorry this is happening. I cant offer advice I hope others step forward to help. Do these kids know they have been scratched, is it an apparent scratch like he marks their cheek or something? Is your child seeing any behavioural therapist to give an indication of what this may mean?
It sounds like an ocd like a pattern he needs to perform or he fears something else will happen. Have you asked him what he feels its about (if he's verbal sorry)..its became a ritual so he must have fear of not doing this daily? Could he be asked to replace it with an actual hand gesture like a shake or fist bump?
Best of luck.

you need to meet with the school asap and help them be more proactive. They need to protect the other kids making sure this doesn't continue to happen. I'm sorry that your son will have meltdowns, but if they start reinforcing him heavily when he stays calm, that may work. They need to be more aware to prevent this from continuing. Or soon, you won't be able to keep him in a daycare.

Thank you @A MyAutismTeam Member. All very good suggestions. He has about 4 hours of ABA therapy per day but his therapist hasn't offered any suggestions as to why he does that. I wish I could ask him but he doesn't understand the question. He just started talking last year and responding to questions about 3 months ago.

It's very interesting you mentioned it being an OCD pattern. I'll bring it up to his therapist and school social worker! Thanks again!

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A MyAutis...

I wish I knew what behavior to replace. I've tried a number of things but he seems to HAVE to hurt someone. We now hurry and grab him before he sees me otherwise he b-lines it to a kid to scratch. Thus has only resulted in him having a meltdown.