A while back I talked about my autistic son. He had become violent and a psychiatrist came to talk with us.
The decision was to help him release energy and calm down with activities. We found that he enjoyed using one of those large blue exercise balls to bounce on. He would do it for hours and hours. To be completely frank, the sound drove me and my wife absolutely nuts. Kaboom, kaboom, kaboom, kaboom. You've heard stories of "chinese water torture". If that were real this is what it must have felt like. He even moved his computer so that he could bounce on it while watching videos. So we never got a break.
However, it seems to have worked. So we put weather stripping around his door, secured the pictures on his wall and did some other things to keep the rattling things to a minimum. That helped but we could still hear the incessant bouncing.
Yesterday, I was upstairs and heard a very loud POP and "oooohhh, nooooo". That friggen thing finally had enough and broke. They're not designed for bouncing on, at least not up to the ceiling. Good God, I was so relieved that I even had him pose with it for a picture to send to my wife. Her reply "hallelujah".
It's so quiet in the house and my nerves aren't frazzled today.
Regardless, I'm either going to have to replace it or find another annoying activity for him. For the love of Jesus, please help me find something else. Something quiet. Save your brother.
Posts: 45674 | Location: Pennsyltucky | Registered: December 05, 2001
Water rower? They have a meter and you could set challenges that he can achieve which might just light a fire in him to show you how far he can get. And give him a great sense of accomplishment. And if he REALLY takes to it, you guys can get boats and hit Moraine.
Also -- What about making an as-nice-as-possible space in the basement for a workout space where he can burn off energy. Even if it ends up being bouncy ball, the concrete floor won't transmit as much. Do they make noise-canceling devices rather than just headphones. Sort of like a room scale one?
They make desks that that have a sway bar underneath specifically for manipulating while you stand or sit. They design them for kids in school to actively fidgit with while working. All kinds of designs, including bike stations and nordic track like things to simple bars.
What “bounced” into my head (se what I did there?) when I read of your situation Mark was to install some thick rubber padding on the floor to help soften the blow.
Just a guess, but would you prefer something that occupies and distracts more than strengthens him like exercise equipment? I can think of several things that would really burn up energy, but you could end up with a very strong kid.
Maybe a hanging chair with a spring sized to his weight that he could bounce and swing, or one of those small round trampoline things with a cushion on it would provide the decompression without as much noise or energy.
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Obviously, not the time of year for it, but I think he would benefit from getting horseback. Lots of programs out there using horses for various kinds of therapy. Something to think about. Otherwise, if you’ve got a large driveway and can keep an eye on him, rollerblades are a great way to use energy and should help him decompress.
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Posts: 13756 | Location: Wyoming | Registered: January 10, 2008
Feel free to try something else quieter but be prepared to just replace the ball.
You found something that works for him, right? If it comes to that, buy some ear plugs maybe or put carpet with extra padding in his room.
"It did not really matter what we expected from life, but rather what life expected from us. We needed to stop asking about the meaning of life, and instead to think of ourselves as those who were being questioned by life – daily and hourly. Our answer must consist not in talk and meditation, but in right action and in right conduct. Life ultimately means taking the responsibility to find the right answer to its problems and to fulfill the tasks which it constantly sets for each individual." Viktor Frankl, Man's Search for Meaning, 1946.
Posts: 20255 | Location: The Free State of Arizona - Ditat Deus | Registered: March 24, 2011
