Drews Gram
08-18-2005, 02:07 PM
My Drew is going to be 3 in October. He has always rubbed his head on the carpet,forehead,since his symptoms started. But recently he is doing it so hard and often that he is taking the skin off. "Rug Burn" We stop him of course but he will go into another room or somehow hurt his little head. Anyone else have this problem? Any solutions? Can't really afford to get rid of all carpet and install hard-wood. Thank you. He is hf-autistic.
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marissamm
08-18-2005, 03:24 PM
poor kid, what if u put a hat or do rag or bandana on his head? or give him a face cloth to rub on his fore head. he is self stimming. autistic kids do differnt things to self stim.
aridus
08-18-2005, 07:14 PM
I think it is because his forehead is very uncomfortable. Some people think autistic children use toes to walk because they have bowel pain. Why not try some biomedical treatment other than to watch helplessly.
Drews Gram
08-18-2005, 07:27 PM
Drew has his second apt with his DAN Dr. soon. We are doing everything we can do at this moment. We never just watch him suffer without trying to help. I thought someone had an answer until our apt. with the Dr. Isn't that what this forum is for?
Al & Matt's Mom
08-18-2005, 08:59 PM
This sounds like sensory seeking behavior, so maybe you could apply firm steady pressure to the area he is rubbing to satisfy the need. If you have an OT, I'm sure they would have additional suggestions.
Jana2676
08-18-2005, 11:28 PM
Keep doing what you are doing, you know him best! I bet if you called the DAN doctor, he could have a nurse talk to you and give you some ideas before the appt. Good luck!
Drews Gram
08-19-2005, 07:45 AM
Thank you for your help. We have spoken to his OT and both of his other therapists. We have tried to rub his head with other things but it doesn't stop him. I think we will call our DAN. We'll try anything at this point. Thanks
Al & Matt's Mom
08-19-2005, 11:45 AM
Do you think maybe he has a headache? Perhaps you could try a little Advil.
D & K's Mom
08-19-2005, 01:29 PM
Actually, headache was my first thought too. Devin used to beat his head into the floor whenever he got an ear infection. Something to think about anyway.
Drews Gram
08-19-2005, 06:05 PM
Headache is exactly what we think. We are so afraid to give him anything until we get his blood tests done. So you think Advil or motrin for children would be OK? We'll check with DAN Dr. Thank you. :)
Kiki9
08-19-2005, 07:36 PM
Hi Drews Gram - My two younger brothers are autisitic (they're 26yrs old now). The youngest -Russ- used to rub his face bloody with a dry bathtowel if he got a chance. I made him a patchwork blankie using various (very soft) textured fabrics. It took some trial & error before he would leave the towels alone & use his blankie. He seemed to have more rubbing/stimm behavior when feeling stressed or ill. He did outgrow this about at the age of 6yrs. He was about 3yrs old when the behavior started. I hope this helps; Take care Kiki9
Alexanders mom
09-10-2005, 11:38 AM
Wow, I was going to start a post about this very thing. My son (3 year old) started doing the head rubbing and also the back of his hands about a couple of months ago. I knew it was some form of stimulation because he only did it if he was upset about something or if he was sleepy. He is like a cat! While I am sitting or rocking our 3 mth. old, he will start rubbing his forehead (or the back of his hands) on my legs or my arms. Not that I don't appreciate the closeness but it can get a little nerve-wrecking when I am at the computer doing these posts or doing the bills. I feel like a cat-post sometimes. LOL!!!!! I wonder if he will be doing this when he is older. I think that is my main concern. After I rock the baby to sleep I usually just go and pick him up (after laying the baby down of course) and rock him and most of the time he will go to sleep. It is weird because he doesn't do this to my husband or his other two older siblings either. Just thought maybe someone else was concerned about this too, so I thought I would tell ya'll what A is doing.