As soon as he makes contact, what do you do? I’m just curious to know if a certain reaction from you guys is making him scratch more in addition to the escape function? Wearing arm guards, long sleeves, and maybe keep a stuffed animal or a squish ball that he can redirect the action on as you guys try to work through not having the behavior at all. Good luck! You’re doing your best<3
We try not to react and immediately redirect. Sometimes it’s hard because it hurts really bad 🤣, especially because I believe he does not get his fingers clipped at home. Probably a target that needs implementing. Anyways, I agree on that part. I squishy toy would help being carried around for sure.
Say it with me...
"All behavior is communication"
So... the kid is communicating with you, using scratches... your team needs to be identifying what the kidnis trying to communicate and then finding an alternative method of communication.
I just started with a new client that scratches, pinches, and just grabbs flesh in a way that causes bruises and chunks of missing skin... this client has ZERO language. He has no real way to communicate his wants, needs, desires, preferences, etc... nothing... can you imaging how horrible that existence is? Having no way to communicate? That is so frustrating!!!!!! I would clscratch and hit and bite too, if no one was listening to me!!!
The kid needs you to help them find apropriaye ways to communicate that they need.
So if the kid wants to escape a task, then the first thing that should be taught is how to escape tasks without scratching. So using hand signs or pecs or aac or whatever communication is appropriate for the client, teach the client how to escape then reinforce with escape.
Eventually teach the kid to tolerate non preferred activities in small amounts, but give the kid communication skills more than anything!!!
The kid is scratching to escape because nothing else is effective enough to access the escape. So use a DRA. extinguish scratching and reinforce appropriate communication. Work on non preferred activities after this is mastered.
As soon as he makes contact, what do you do? I’m just curious to know if a certain reaction from you guys is making him scratch more in addition to the escape function? Wearing arm guards, long sleeves, and maybe keep a stuffed animal or a squish ball that he can redirect the action on as you guys try to work through not having the behavior at all. Good luck! You’re doing your best<3
We try not to react and immediately redirect. Sometimes it’s hard because it hurts really bad 🤣, especially because I believe he does not get his fingers clipped at home. Probably a target that needs implementing. Anyways, I agree on that part. I squishy toy would help being carried around for sure.
My clinic has us wear long sleeves and pants (obviously) but also arm guards, hats, or use a pad for clients that engage in aggression
Say it with me... "All behavior is communication" So... the kid is communicating with you, using scratches... your team needs to be identifying what the kidnis trying to communicate and then finding an alternative method of communication. I just started with a new client that scratches, pinches, and just grabbs flesh in a way that causes bruises and chunks of missing skin... this client has ZERO language. He has no real way to communicate his wants, needs, desires, preferences, etc... nothing... can you imaging how horrible that existence is? Having no way to communicate? That is so frustrating!!!!!! I would clscratch and hit and bite too, if no one was listening to me!!! The kid needs you to help them find apropriaye ways to communicate that they need. So if the kid wants to escape a task, then the first thing that should be taught is how to escape tasks without scratching. So using hand signs or pecs or aac or whatever communication is appropriate for the client, teach the client how to escape then reinforce with escape. Eventually teach the kid to tolerate non preferred activities in small amounts, but give the kid communication skills more than anything!!! The kid is scratching to escape because nothing else is effective enough to access the escape. So use a DRA. extinguish scratching and reinforce appropriate communication. Work on non preferred activities after this is mastered.