He is getting frustrated when he has to make a request
Bottom line…..he has meltdowns when he is told “no”. He is now having an adverse reaction immediately after he asks for something, verbally or with PECS.
But, I have seen Nicholas calmly, independently, and without vocalizing (stimming), go downstairs, turn on the TV, wait for the screen to light up, turn on the DVD player, wait for it to turn on, press the open button so the tray comes out, look for the DVD that he wants amongst many DVDs, place it in the tray, push the close button, push the play button, watch the screen and then pause it at the exact point that he wants. These are many steps and it took over 3-4 minutes to complete the task. So, Nicholas not being able to wait a few seconds or use the sentence strip, or just remain calm after he makes a request is not because he can’t handle the demands we place on him. I think his behavior is partly because he is confused (previous therapist’s doing) and because the family have understandably reacted emotionally to Nicholas’ behavior and give in more often than not teaching him that if he behaves a certain way……people will leave him alone.
But, I have seen Nicholas calmly, independently, and without vocalizing (stimming), go downstairs, turn on the TV, wait for the screen to light up, turn on the DVD player, wait for it to turn on, press the open button so the tray comes out, look for the DVD that he wants amongst many DVDs, place it in the tray, push the close button, push the play button, watch the screen and then pause it at the exact point that he wants. These are many steps and it took over 3-4 minutes to complete the task. So, Nicholas not being able to wait a few seconds or use the sentence strip, or just remain calm after he makes a request is not because he can’t handle the demands we place on him. I think his behavior is partly because he is confused (previous therapist’s doing) and because the family have understandably reacted emotionally to Nicholas’ behavior and give in more often than not teaching him that if he behaves a certain way……people will leave him alone.