We are struggling to understand one of our students. They are 16, diagnosed with autism, possible ADHD and PTSD but not seeking professional help. We have always struggled with this student in particular, all the others we can figure out and understand very quickly but in this case, it's been extremely difficult. They are verbal but uses PECS on a daily basis.
We've never seen this before and are seeking help from professionals but we would like to see your opinions. At times, they will just flop or lie down on the floor and can't physically move any part of their body. Sometimes it is out of the blue, other times it happens in times of distress and overhwelm. For us it's serious because its happened when they've absconded from school and was found by staff lying on the floor. When they are in this state, they can't move, can't talk, can't communicate and is in a vulnerable position and can't protect themselves from danger.
It can last from 10 minutes to hours at a time. Usually what happens is they'll lay on the floor and once they are down they can't move. After a while, they will be able to move fingers, then squeeze hands, then wiggle toes and very slowly get all their movement back but it takes ages for her to start talking or even open her mouth again. We aren't sure what is happening during all this, parents are aware and have reported a similar thing but it's difficult because it just looks like she just relaxing lying down. Parents said they aren't going to the doctors or seek help because they find them useless so it's just knowing what to do to help.
Has anyone experienced this before, like I said it can be unpredictable or predictable at times and can happen when they're happy working. Thank you very much for reading, it means a lot.
