Help with autistic child in daycare?

Question

I work in a daycare center and we have an autistic child going into second grade. His mom has failed to give us any advice on how to handle him. He throws temper tantrums and has hit other children.My co-workers just have him sit down away from them on time-out for everything. I know there is a better way and I want to find it to help him understand what is acceptable and unacceptable. However, I don't know what to do. I've done research but need some extra help. I want to use the happy-face/sad-face reward system, but what about punishment? What are some ways to punish him for wrongdoings effectively?

Answer 1

Do you live in the United States? Does this child have a diagnosis of autism or is the school (or parent) just assuming he has autism?

Children aged 3 and up with developmental delays such as autism can receive specialized instruction from trained teachers through the public school system in the U.S. The child should be referred to his home school (the school in his neighborhood where he will attend kindergarten). An evaluation will be conducted and if the child does indeed have a disability, he is eligible for services. Sometimes these services include speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, feeding therapy, and physical therapy. Regular daycare is obviously not appropriate for this child. If his mother won't refer him for an evaluation, it seems that as a private pay daycare you (or the supervisor) have the right to ask the child not to come back as he is hurting other children. I work with children who have autism (as well as children who have other disabilities) so I am sensitive to their needs, but if a child -- ANY child, not just one with a disability -- was hurting my child in daycare, I'd request his removal or I'd remove my own son from that facility. Just because he has a disability does not make it OK for him to act up and/or hurt others.

Answer 2

I my little experience rewards are better.  So instead of getting something bad- just withhold something good.  Time out are fine when he behavior is to the point were he is endangering himself or others.  But it is best to stop the problems before they really escalate.  So find out what he really likes- to do and tangible things.  So if he is good he gets outside time (computer time, block time whatever)  So example -give him a card six spaces of happy/ sad faces on it.  Every 5, 10 or 15 minutes give him a happy or sad face.  Once he gets four smiling faces he gets his reward time of a 15 minutes doing what he enjoys.

It is really hard to give advice over Internet for each child because they are so different.  I hope this helps.  I worked the Special Ed department of a middle school for 5 years and this is one tool that we used.  If you have more questions you can always contact me.  I am by no means an expert, but I have some experience.  Good luck.  They are a challenge, but when you have good day with them it is very rewarding.

Answer 3

The mother may have expected the daycare center where you work to know how to handle special needs children. The daycare workers who care for this child need to have a conference with the mother and discuss his care. I doubt that would cause her to place him elsewhere since daycares that accept special needs children have long waiting lists.

Some hospitals offer programs to educate parents and caregivers on ways to tend to the needs of autistic children. There are usually support groups for autistic parents in most communities. They can be very helpful with tips on what works and what doesn't, depending on the degree of autism the child has. From what you've said,  the staff and administration of your daycare center would benefit from attending meetings for groups like this.

Good luck!! : /

Answer 4

I worked with an autistic child as a speech pathologist for a few years. I used a "naughty chair" and would keep putting the child on it for 5 minutes every time he acted up. Of course he would often run away before the 5 minutes were up, but I was consistent and kept putting him back there. After 30 minutes or so, he just sat there. I explained why he was being punished. When he acted out again, he didn't really give me problems going on the naughty chair. But you need to be consistent. I also took away toys and activities from him and never gave in to any screaming.

I feel for you having to deal with such a child. But the major thing is consistency. I'm not sure exactly how you work and how consistent you are. Do you ever give in?