Patient's question:
Dear Dr. Jia,My son was diagnosed with autism at the age of two and a half, but he does not fit the typical profile. A series of brain scans and tests have been conducted, and no abnormalities were found. He has been receiving interventions consistently. Now that he has just turned four, he attends a half-day program at an institution and a half-day at a kindergarten. In terms of language and behavior, he is gradually improving, especially in communication. His basic communication needs are met without much issue.
However, the most challenging aspect for us right now is his hyperactivity. He has always been very energetic since childhood and cannot stay still for a moment. He loves running around and even when sitting, his buttocks and hands are constantly moving. Through interventions, there have been some improvements. Additionally, he gets easily excited—any small happy event can quickly trigger intense emotions. Once he gets excited, it seems difficult for him to control his behavior, leading to actions like wild gestures. Many rules he understands in theory, but it’s hard for him to follow through because he simply cannot stop himself in the moment.
Doctor's answer:
Your training is not only for intervention in autism, but also to regulate the child's behavior. It is important to establish good behavioral norms during this period, and there is no contradiction between the two. The key lies in the teacher's level. If you train only for autism without regulating the child's behavior, it will be difficult for him to enter a group environment. Medication can certainly solve some of the child's problem behaviors, but the side effects of medication must also be considered. I need to see the child's performance before giving advice. If the child performs well in individual training but poorly in group lessons, the reason must be analyzed. This indicates not only a problem with self-control, but also possibly a lack of interest in the content of group lessons. In summary, a functional analysis must be conducted to identify the cause and develop a solution. For reference.