A new habit

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Hello everyone.

I've done an intro post in the other forum, but I should probably introduce myself here, too. I'm Heather, and I have a son (just turned 10) who has Aspergers as well as a husband (who was diagnosed as an adult at the age of 28yrs old).

This post, however, is about my son and his newest 'habit'. Timothy has always had some sort of habitual thing that he does, but this latest one is about to drive me over the edge!! Normally, it's something little such as tapping his feet repeatedly or rubbing his fingers together. But he's suddenly developed a fascination with whistling --- and not just 'normal' whistling -- he has to cup his hands together and whistle into his hands while opening and closing them, making THE most annoying noise I've ever heard!!

I think I've told him to stop about a BILLION times this week alone, and the message isn't sinking in. So today I had no choice but to put a consequence in place. I told him that he could do that outside, but if he did it in the house again, I'd take away his nintendo DS for a whole day (which is a BIG deal for him, as he uses his nintendo to 'escape' from feeling overwhelmed).

There must be SOME way to redirect these 'habits', that I just haven't figured out yet. PLEASE tell me that I'm not alone in this, and that maybe you've found something that helps. I'm about ready to tear my hair out. Squeezy/stress balls don't work. He's not interested in something unless it makes noise or lights up (i.e. only the annoying things).

I've heard that fish oil capsules can help improve these symptoms. Has anybody else tried fish oil supplements?

I think its great that you give him a place where he CAN make his whistle noise. I would maybe write it down and hang it on the wall. INSIDE HOUSE RULES: We talk in an inside vioce in the house. Any noises must be made outside.

I would also allow my son to make the noise in his bedroom with door shut. You might want to add that to the rule incase the weather is bad out. I would explain to him why that rule is in place. Loud noises in the house hurt others ears and are very distracting.

good luck I hope this helps, I hope this new habit passes quick!! !

Do you think it might be a tic or stim rather than a "bad habit"?

Tics are like a sneeze. They might be held back for a little while, but they eventually come out, often without the person's control. They can be reduced with medication and relaxation techniques, but they cannot "just stop."

A stim can be redirected to a place - like outside or in their room as suggested, and sometimes transferred to another stim. But usually they are needed to help the person calm down, relax, cope, and are very enjoyable to the person.

I just wonder if you think its more in his control than it actually is?

I can relate to the issues you're having regarding your 10yr old, but if its any consolation; at least he's not harming himself.

For the past 10 months my 7yr old has got into the habit of shaking his head from side-to-side whilst looking out of windows,
Recently, his head shakeing has progressed to whenever he's out in daylight, looking up at table lamps, & anything else that'll give him a light sensation.
My big problem with this being he'll often make himself dizzy & fall down , often hurting his chin or eye if near a window sill with a radiator beneath.

I've sought advice & I've been told its a sensory seeking issue, nothing else seems to take his attention, maybe a simlar issue with your lad whistling as this could be sensory as he likes the sounds that he can make, Autistic kids (more-so) go thru different phases, lets hope they go onto something less annoying that does'nt cause them self harm.

Part of the whistling may be an oral sensitivity thing. Have you tried gum or a chewy bracelet/necklace? If he is keen on the gum, that might serve a dual purpose a) giving him the oral stimulation he is seeking and b) making it physically more difficult to make whistling noises with his mouth.

Hi Heather, I have a 4yo daughter with AS and her Dad is looking into a diagnosis for himself too. My daughter is constantly making some sort of noise or fidgeting and it drives me crazy too, I had to chuckle when I read your post! Before we knew she had AS we would frequently make the mistake of saying "Can you stop making that noise please" so she would just make a different noise and we would go around in circles lol! We have to be very specific in our requests. In the end I have just learnt to tune out and ignore it to be honest, she genuinely cant seem to stop making noises. I have realised its me that needs to change to adapt. Now Im in the minority in our household and I have to adjust to the aspies around me if I want an easy life

Thank you for your replies!

I honestly had not considered that maybe he's not as able to control it as I thought he was. Come to think of it, he is forever chewing on his necklace -- and I'm forever telling him to take it out of his mouth. I might need to think about what kind of item he could have that can be safely chewed on.

As I type this, he's just come out of his room for the 4th night in a row saying that he's 'having nightmares' but he hasn't been to sleep yet. *sigh* I don't have nearly enough patience as I need.

Yes, he's doing these things for a reason and can't control himself, or thinks he can't control himself. He knows others don't do these things, and probably wants to be obedient but the need to do them is overpowering.

Each Asperger child is different and he will mature over time. So you may be able to take the most annoying stim and have him work toward ceasing or changing it. I thought I had to accept my son's violence against property and his sister. Someone sat me down and said, he doesn't hit anyone outside the house, does he? No. So he can control it. We put in a system of rewards and consequenses and he ceased his violence in three weeks.

To start, see if you can anticipate when he when you think he would need to whistle, and send him outside before he does it. Just a thought.

Hi! I'm new here.
My son is 13 years old and has Asperger's and ADHD, emphasis on the H. He is a very loud child, not in general talking but everything else he does. He is just overcoming, (at least, I hope) a whistling addiction that sadly lasted a couple of years. And just like you, it drove me bonkers. Needless to say, his classmates and teachers had a terrible time with it also.
I have no advice to give, as I type this he is in his room clapping and stomping his feet, along with a loud cheer of some sort every few seconds. Just wanted you to know that you are not alone.

I don't have any advice to add to what has already been said.

I just wanted to say that this thread has brought home to me, again, what a valuable place this is. Where else can you share ideas and get support from other parents who understand? Some of our children's behaviours are just so far beyond the experience and comprehension of most people we meet in our off-line lives. Whereas here, people get it!

Those chewy necklaces are a brilliant idea. the more I think about it, the more I am convinced that it's the best solution --- and not just for my son, but for my husband (who constantly bites his finger, especially when doing something 'mindless' like watching TV).

I'm going to get a few of those! Thanks for that link.