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A comment on Ask HN: How to keep water-obsessed autistic child from wasting water?.

Re:Ask HN: How to keep water-obsessed autistic child from wa... by bmsleight_ on Friday July 22, 2022 @12:14PM (#32193703)
Also son with Autism.

Meltdown happen when you remove the stimulus without warning. Always, Always give a countdown. Either in time or turns.

So reason - i.e. Time to eat now, 10 more seconds before water is turned off. 10..9.8..3.2.1 Turn off water.

The Autism Society do a LIFE changing course for parents on understanding Autism.

Embrace the water games. Make a clear pipe water feature and enjoy to together.

Hope this helps.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Ask HN: How to keep water-obsessed autistic child from wa... by mbarras_ing on Friday July 22, 2022 @02:25PM (#32195418)
Also son with Autism.

Can confirm - we do everything with countdown. He also loves using the timer on my phone for activities (ed psych thinks his anxiety decreases, as he feels in control).

Also giving options (even if contrived) work well for him. E.g. "do you want to brush teeth or put PJs on first?". He has to do both, but feels more at ease getting to choose.

Best of luck!

[ Parent | on HN ]