If this is your first visit, check out the community guide. You will have to Join us or Sign in before you can post.
Receiving too many notifications? Adjust your notification settings.
Had enough of screaming!

Does anyone else have an autistic child who screams? Often very loudly, often in public or crowded places? As the summer holidays wear on and I wear out, I am finding it harder to deal with and I think it's getting worse. At the point where I don't want to take him out anywhere in case he does it again - get so embarrassed with the looks from other people. He screams when he's anxious; at certain noises; if he's asked not to do something which is often for safety reasons or if you say no to anything. He does have some language but the screams come first when he is upset or anxious. It can be excruciatingly loud, right next to your ear and to me feels like more of an attack than anything physical. Just out of ideas now! Thanks to anyone out there who might have some ideas or wisdom or even reassurance that I'm not the only one!
Replies
it's very important that you've identified when your son is more likely to scream (you mentioned he screams when he's anxious, or if he's asked not to do something). I'm sure it's very hard to get more immune to public's reactions, are there any interventions/strategies they're using at school you could possibly try at home?
You also mentioned that structure and timetables work, what about creating a portable visual reminder (ie a simple key ring with laminated pictures attached) to help him understand what is happening now and create some more structure when you are out in public?