My 4 yr old grandson has had an uptick in head banging esp when taking iPad away . Is there anything else I can do besides protecting his head and anticipating when he is going to head bang and protect his head ? I’m sure it’s sensory and frustration . He is non verbal and waiting for device . Thanks for any suggestions . device
Answer:
Thank you for your question! The #1 thing I would recommend here until he gets his device is to give him an option to request "more time" with the iPad when it is all done. It only has to be a minute or two, but we often see that when preferred activities are ended and they get the option for a little more time that they are less resistant when the additional time is up. Since he is non-verbal this can be the sign language for "more" (touching fingertips together) or putting up his pointer finger to show you "one." You can also have a picture card with the sign for "more" that he can touch to ask for more time. So when he starts playing on the iPad I would tell him, "Don't forget when the iPad is all done you can ask for more time!" and show him whatever he is using to ask for more. Then I like to give what we call "advanced notice" when the iPad is approaching all done. Usually at 5 minutes, 2 minutes, and then 1 minute I will say, "5 more minutes and then iPad is all done, don't forget you can ask for more time." The first few times you will probably have to immediately prompt him to ask for more time. So as soon as you say, "iPad is all done." you will right away prompt him to sign for more, touch the picture, whatever you choose. And then you will say, "Nice job asking for more time! Sure you can have 2 more minutes." I also recommend using a timer that he can see the time ticking down. I like digital kitchen timers, but there are also phone apps that show a clock ticking down and it reveals a picture which a lot of kids like.
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Try the above first, if you see a decrease in head banging then great! If with the additional time you do not see a decrease in head banging then I would introduce a reinforcer for ending the iPad with "nice hands" or whatever phrase you want to use that you think he would understand best. A preferred food or snack would be ideal. For example, if he loves M&Ms you can show him an M&M while he is on the iPad and tell him, "If you give me the iPad nicely you get an M&M!" He can still ask for 2 more minutes, but if he then ends the iPad nicely I would cheer and celebrate, give him his M&M and tell him, "I love how you gave me the iPad with nice hands!" THIS WILL TAKE TIME AND PRACTICE. But if you are consistent you will see results! Good luck!
Thank you for your question! The #1 thing I would recommend here until he gets his device is to give him an option to request “more time” with the iPad when it is all done. It only has to be a minute or two, but we often see that when preferred activities are ended and they get the option for a little more time that they are less resistant when the additional time is up. Since he is non-verbal this can be the sign language for “more” (touching fingertips together) or putting up his pointer finger to show you “one.” You can also have a picture card with the sign for “more” that he can touch to ask for more time. So when he starts playing on the iPad I would tell him, “Don’t forget when the iPad is all done you can ask for more time!” and show him whatever he is using to ask for more. Then I like to give what we call “advanced notice” when the iPad is approaching all done. Usually at 5 minutes, 2 minutes, and then 1 minute I will say, “5 more minutes and then iPad is all done, don’t forget you can ask for more time.” The first few times you will probably have to immediately prompt him to ask for more time. So as soon as you say, “iPad is all done.” you will right away prompt him to sign for more, touch the picture, whatever you choose. And then you will say, “Nice job asking for more time! Sure you can have 2 more minutes.” I also recommend using a timer that he can see the time ticking down. I like digital kitchen timers, but there are also phone apps that show a clock ticking down and it reveals a picture which a lot of kids like.
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Try the above first, if you see a decrease in head banging then great! If with the additional time you do not see a decrease in head banging then I would introduce a reinforcer for ending the iPad with “nice hands” or whatever phrase you want to use that you think he would understand best. A preferred food or snack would be ideal. For example, if he loves M&Ms you can show him an M&M while he is on the iPad and tell him, “If you give me the iPad nicely you get an M&M!” He can still ask for 2 more minutes, but if he then ends the iPad nicely I would cheer and celebrate, give him his M&M and tell him, “I love how you gave me the iPad with nice hands!” THIS WILL TAKE TIME AND PRACTICE. But if you are consistent you will see results! Good luck!