Published on 12, July, 2020
HI guys, I'm new to the NAS, my son has ASD and ADHD. He recently had an encounter with a wasp in his trampoline that freaked him out and is now terrified to go outside in case a fly or wasp comes near him, he's even refused to pick up stones (which he used to love collecting) in case there was a bug on it. IT hasn't helped at a mozzie seems to have taken a liking to him and his thigh is covered in bites. Any advice on how to deal with this would be greatly appreciated, my husband and I just don't know how to handle this new development.
We had just got him coming outside with me more and off his devises but this has set him back a long way :(
No problem
Yes this is something I shall look into thankyou
I hope you're able to find a method that works. This does sound like a phobia, so some cognitive behavioural therapy could be really helpful.
Hi there I am also new here and I was actually looking for similar advice for my 15 year old son with autism. When he was bout 4 years old we think he was stung on his finger by a wasp and he now has a major phobia of flying buzzing insects. He hates spring and summer and really wants to just stay inside. When he does go out he wears his coat with his hood up and is very anxious and it has been like this for years.
I managed to cope and help rebuild his confidence in the past by spraying him with a bug repellent before going outside but I must admit I do not like the use of these chemicals. Now he is 15 it is really affecting his ability to socialise and for us as a family to do things outside together. I will try the gradual desensitisation techniques with him,like showing him just a photo of a wasp but he is terrified and of course it is difficult to reason with him due to his autism.
Maybe you could gradually introduce him to bugs? For example, you could research bugs online (e.g. as a homeschooling activity), or you could buy him a book about bugs. It might help if you can get him used to seeing and thinking about bugs. You could then try things like catching a bug and putting it into a secure container (e.g. a lunchbox) for him to come and look at, with the knowledge that it can't get out and come near him. Once he starts getting used to seeing bugs, you could then see if you can gradually reintroduce him to going outside.
When it comes to going outside, it might be helpful to have a reason to do that (e.g. maybe there's something out there that would interest him, like playing with a toy, planting seeds, or interacting with a pet). Try not to make it too much of a big deal when he does go outside - just treat it as something normal.
It might also be worth getting in touch with CAMHS for advice and support on phobias. There's a technique called exposure therapy that can be particularly helpful (I've touched on elements of it in this response), but it's best to do that with the support of a professional.
As long as they won't be harmed in any way he should be alright it's best to be aware of any bugs that can cause harm. I'm afraid of bugs that sting and I always avoid them as much as possible even inside.
I like the honey idea, the risk with the swag is you could normalise their idea that killing/ violence is ok if you don’t like that creature, My cousins kid who is autistic once beat someone up because he likened them to a spider which he had been taught was ok to kill - bare in mind he was maybe 9 or 10 then, so keep in mind the very black and white approach some autistic people have. I don’t know if your son is black and white in his outlook, but his response mentioned in your post above would suggest at least an element of it. I’m not saying your don would do thus, just saying caution may be wise. I think ideas like the honey however are great because they in a sense re-program the mind. I think confidence building is key, maybe find a way of incentivising going in the garden with you or his dad. I’m not sure what part of the country you are in, but here in Hampshire it’s lovely out and it would be a shame gif him to miss out on this weather.
Hi Just some guy, thank you for those suggestions, especially the fly swat! I think that would help him feel like he has some control over the situation. Will definitley try the honey on the finger too so he can see that they are harmless. Thank you!
I suspect waiting until he's no longer being eaten will help.
Can you do something like put honey on your finger and wait for a wasp or bee to investigate, let them land and walk on you, let him watch through a window how harmless they are?
Ideally the next step would be letting him try. Warn him it'll tickle, make sure he doesn't move, just give the bee time to move on when it's ready.
Then there are more types of bugs. How is he with spiders, and would them eating flies make him feel more comfortable with them? I'm not suggesting a pet tarantula but knowing that some creepy crawlies are on his side might help.
The other thing to do of course is buy him a fly swat (and make sure he doesn't use it on wasps). Yes, you'll have annoying slap sounds throughout the house but he'll enjoy it. It'll work in the garden too - good exercise!