Dakota broke his leg many years ago and one of the things that developed from that trauma is hair twisting ....I understand that everyone has to have a way to deal with physical pain , probably mental pain. Too!
This "habit" would probably considered minor by many of the parents and caregivers that have kids on the spectrum for me it is very high on my list. It aggregates me. It pisses me, it frustrates me....I look at it as self injurious behavior but it is extremely important to me because it is visual . THIS is what many "typical " people use for the first impression or a judgement on others...and it is something that for the most part should be able to be controlled.....(with the Caviot that behavior is AUTISM and I am expecting him to control a behavior which he probably can't) I realize it is unreasonable of me to expect Dakota to stop at least on his own.......but I have tried....verbal prompts , physical prompts, interrupt and redirect, reminders,examples.....
I know that this behavior serves more than one "need" for Dakota and I am continuing to research and find suitably replacement behavior...I have yet to succeed. It is attention seeking behavior; for instance today I simply left him alone for about 20 minutes to do some work in the kitchen and I came back to find a chunk of hair between his fingers twisted up.....he knows it upsets me and when I discover him twisting his hair he knows I will stop what I am doing and try to stop him from "twisting". He will also use it as a tool to keep himself from not falling asleep...and the big one is a way to deal with pain..I have to take a few minutes to assess what's going on before I plan my "intervention" ALL WHICH HAVE YET TO BE SUCESSFUUL!
I will keep on with this battle because it is an important one for me...but more importantly for him...being already identified as an person with challenges he needs to at least use the advantages he has to be included when ever possible ..if he looks (excuse the expression) stupid..that's one less reason the community will embrace him...
I know I need to try to get over allowing it to upset me and perhaps that should be easier than Dakota learning to NOT twist his hair BUT I am finding it just as difficult ....
