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how do i help my deaf non verbal grandson who is constantly banging his head.

NAS85847

Hi there my 4 year old deaf non verbal grandson in continuously banging his head on walls and doors when he is angry and frustrated. His mother is worried sick because his head is covered in bruises. Because he is deaf its even harder to communicate with him and for him to understand. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Many thanks

Kelly 

  • Oh no! It sounds like he is in distress. 

    I might start to work out if there is a recurring thing happening when he does this, if it's related to a sensory element or a response to something. It can be hard to take notice as one gets older as NeuroTypical wiring is capable of dulling the senses so they're not overwhelmed. And often life is just so busy it can be difficult to see the patter. But autistics sense-perceive deeply, which includes our emotions and are intensely impacted, to the degree it seems out of the ordinary: we just don't dull our senses the same.

    Frustration is one of our biggest problems, that an interruptions. I'm not sure which is worse, but being interrupted when young, felt like being hit with a plank on the back of the head. It can be like waking a sleepwalker. I always suggest parents use the same matters of respect they'd afford a client: inform your children of schedules, when you're leaving, where you're going. Give them a plan for the day. My mother would even make me plan my clothing choices the night before school (I grew up in the states and couldn't recollect how to put an outfit together - I still have trouble). Allocate times for play and get either a 24 hour clock for them or a round analogue clock, to move Forward in time.

    Frustration is often due to: sensing things well beyond our years which we cannot identify and explain compounded by difficulty accessing language, education and also getting away/feeling safe from it OR a proper explanation on how to engage with it.

    If possible, you could make sure there's no VOCs in the house (unscented or natural oils only in soaps, cleaning products, etc, provided no allergies), a halogen desk lamp for his bedroom at night incase he's getting migraines from LEDs, natural fibre clothing (no polys or nylons which is a petroleum by product, plastic essentially), sounds emanating from a gas stove, radiator or electrical wiring (you can get a dB reader in an app to take around the house) and be mindful of gut-health or unknown allergies.

    These can be two of the biggest issues with young children. Their frustration and stress will be a response to something. Hope this helps!

  • This might be something that improves as he matures (I'm not sure) but I do know it's likely triggered by stress factors and emotional dis-regulation. Until the trigger can be mitgated in the mean time it's important to protect that developing brain. This link is to an example of a helmet on a US site, and I will look for a UK version too, but hopefully this might prove useful in the interim: https://guardianhelmets.com/cranial-helmets-for-head-banging/

    Edit: (P.s.)
    Here is a UK seller of the helmets if you and the family think one is needed: https://www.healthandcare.co.uk/face-and-head-protection/head-protex-soft-shell-helmet.html