Obsessive throwing things downstairs or in water

Hi,

My grandson is 11, he is non verbal, and he has started, over the last 3 months, throwing everything downstairs, clothes, toys, shoes, toiletries, anything he can get his hands on really. He also likes to post things down the back of the sideboard, put things in water (such as all my makeup) or throw things out of the window.  

We can't take our eyes off him for a moment. My son has another child now, she is just turned one, so it is difficult to keep an eye on my Grandson constantly unless there are two of you at home.

We have put locks on the rooms upstairs to restrict his access to things to throw, I have bought him some foam shapes to throw, as these do not cause any damage, however he is a resourceful child & can throw anything, 64 wet wipes individually from a pack for example.

My son & his wife have recently split up, and my son has moved back home with us, my grandson has been used to staying with me on his own at weekends so it is his space, now my granddaughter is coming to stay on a Friday night too, he is struggling with this.

School have advised he has started doing similar things there, and they have timetabled in a specific time for him, so he gets the stimulation he needs, however it is difficult to do that at home.

Whilst I have been typing this, he has managed to open the bedroom window, and his pyjama pants ae now stuck on the porch roof, and his jigsaw pieces are on the path.

Any advice would be welcome

Parents
  • My daughter does this she generally throws things down the stairs when trying to avoid bed. She will throw anything toys, shoes books her sister. As you said it is really difficult. 

    We improved this adding extra sensory exercises and stim dancing to get some of the frustration out and have seen a massive improvement if school have noticed that this improves his behaviour then I think you need to look into it at home I know it's tough with multiple children I have 3 little ones and my partner works all hours so it's just me. Have you tried introducing a visual timetable so he can adjust to new routine?

    We also had the issue with putting things in water she would empty whole bottles of shampoo in the sink paint the mirror with any thing she could get her hands on, she would get up during the night to do this.

    We realised that this was just sensory seeking behaviour she liked the feeling/smell of the shampoo so got her a moisturiser that smells similar and she sits and rubs that into her hands before bed. 

Reply
  • My daughter does this she generally throws things down the stairs when trying to avoid bed. She will throw anything toys, shoes books her sister. As you said it is really difficult. 

    We improved this adding extra sensory exercises and stim dancing to get some of the frustration out and have seen a massive improvement if school have noticed that this improves his behaviour then I think you need to look into it at home I know it's tough with multiple children I have 3 little ones and my partner works all hours so it's just me. Have you tried introducing a visual timetable so he can adjust to new routine?

    We also had the issue with putting things in water she would empty whole bottles of shampoo in the sink paint the mirror with any thing she could get her hands on, she would get up during the night to do this.

    We realised that this was just sensory seeking behaviour she liked the feeling/smell of the shampoo so got her a moisturiser that smells similar and she sits and rubs that into her hands before bed. 

Children
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