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Help with toddler

NAS88178

Hello all, 

I was wondering if anyone could please share their sim8lar experiences and any tips or tricks as help. 

My little one is coming up to 3 end of September, we know that she is on the spectrum but on the long waiting list for diagnoses. She's only only child and myself and her dad are in the process of just researching and obtaining more information to best support her. 

The main things that we are struggling with at the moment are the challenging behaviours, not wearing clothes and toileting. 

Just for a bit of context, our little one is not fully understanding things but this is coming slowly but surely, she does not speak in sentences, but does put the odd word in here and there, repeat words and phrases and babbles. 

At the moment she is taking her clothes and nappy off, having done research I can only assume this is due to the sensitiviness of her skin, we have tried different types of clothes washing powder and gels and different types of clothing. She is sometimes recognising when she needs to go to the toilet but often having accidents, going for the toilet wherever she is standing at the time. If we try and put a nappy and clothes on her, she falls to the floor, headbangs and cries. She's not fully at the stage of understanding why she needs to wear clothes so talking to her about why would not help at this stage. Occasionally she will wear clothes but this last week has been a real challenge. At the nursery she has just started, she displayed the same behaviour, taking her clothes off and going to the toilet on the floor, then not wanting to put her clothes back on. We've tried positive encouragement too, so she loves stickers, putting her clothes on she gets stickers but she doesn't keep the clothes on for long. 

Reaching out desperately please, its more a concern as the nursery have now said that there could be a safeguarding concern with her waking around nude and other parents coming into the nursery seeing her. This is her third nursery placement, 2 of which she has been excluded from for different issues and I'm just trying to put something in place or try new things to help. 

Signed, desperate parent needing help! 

  • NAS88178 said:
    we have tried different types of clothes

    Have you tried different fabrics? for instance, 100% cotton or pure marino wool. The human body is meant to work with these natural fibres. Polyester is a by-product of petroleum - thus "micro- plastic" as it's actually a very fine plastic. I'd suggest cotton for sleeping and wool for daytime - even thin marino is incredible during the summer under 20*. Our biology responds really well to it, but like all things it may take a moment for her to recognise this. You could start with something like these https://www.cambridgebaby.co.uk/catalog/2-6-yrs/sleepwear/two-piece-pyjamas and see if they stay on.

    Most autistics don't respond to positive 'encouragement' as often there is another issue that needs fixing and once that's sorted, the problem will be solved. This could also be an internal difficulty regulating temperature which could be worth exploring with your GP.

    Our biology is different. We might over-heat as a sweating out something we're allergic to. And many can experience a problem actually sweating. the Wrong diet can cause painful bowels and that can be a reason to take everything off. It might be important to find out if anyone in either family have had to mind their diet. Many of my friends ADHD and Au have gut issues. Im on a low FODMAP but completely off legumes, brassicas and all grains except GF oats. I also take mushroom supplements and my constitution is a million times better. I require a different type of fibre. 

    The key things with Autism to remember is a difference in communication, so things can get lost in translation. Music can be really helpful here. An inability to dull the senses the same, so everything including emotions can be felt more intensely than our peers, and the Monotropic brain - take care to never interrupt, force a process or cut it short. Prioritise matters of importance. Perhaps little toilets about the house? 

  • Hello ,

    I'm sorry to hear that you have had to cope with these challenging behaviours. Individuals on the spectrum can often display behaviour that may be challenging. There will generally be a reason for this and it is important to try and understand the trigger for the behaviour when developing strategies. You may like to have a look at the following link for more information on behaviour and strategies: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour 

     You may be interested in seeking some professional support regarding the behaviour. You can search for professionals in your area we are aware of on the Autism Services Directory: 

    https://www.autism.org.uk/directory 

    You might also like to take a look at The Challenging Behaviour Foundation website for further information and advice: 

    https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk.  They also have an information and support service which you can contact by phone or email – details can be found here: https://www.challengingbehaviour.org.uk/for-family-carers/family-support-service/ 

    You may also like to have a look at the following information on advice around toileting:

    https://www.autism.org.uk/advice-and-guidance/topics/behaviour/toileting

    I hope this helps,

    ChloeMod