Hi,
I'm supporting a family doing the ABA program with their 8 year old autistic boy (nonverbal). He really likes it at times and in general is making progress.
However he seems to be bored by the program recently. We can only repeat it like 5 times or he will get frustrated, also trying to throw things away.
I tried almost everything I could think of: giving him more praise, candy, singing songs etc.
In one programm he is supposed to point to certain things. Very often he doesn't react at all or is only doing 3 repeats and then refuses to continue. Then suddenly when I'm whispering he reacts, but will stop after another like 5 repeats. It is kind of funny how he knows how to direct the programm.
Another big problem I'm facing is that during the last weeks he was getting more and more violent towards me for no apparent reason.
I cannot figure out what I am doing wrong. He is really fascinated by hair and trys pulling my hair very often. He definetely knows that he is not allowed to do it and rarely dose it when he is around other adults. I really enjoy working with him, but recently it is getting more and more difficult and frustrating. I really hope that we can overcome this problem.
I would appreciate any kind of advice or suggestions, especially concerning his increasing aggressive behaviour.
Thanks in advance.
Sera

Sera, I too have had similar experiences delivering an ABA program in the homes of children with autism. The aggressive behaviors being exhibited may be caused from many things, i.e. boredom, just a phase, trying to get out of working, etc. How long have you been on these trials? Are they mastered skills or near mastery? I know it can be frustrating with the aggression (my least favorite are hair pulling and pinching), and I am a firm believer that the kids can sense the way we are feeling, too.