March 5, 2013

Computer Stimming - Part 3

Continuing from the stories Computer Stimming Part 1 and Computer Stimming Part 2, this is the final part of the story. I don't want to get anyone bored, but without mentioning all these incidents, I won't be able to explain about computer stimming which is a big part of my life. How this affected me and my son's life, his learning, his thinking, his attitude and his behaviors. Computer and other electronic gadgets were feeding him continuously and became hindrance to his learning. He kept talking repetitively what he heard as I mentioned in part 2. 

Till June, 2012, I was very much frustrated and upset about his computer stimming. But, I was not able to control this situation fully as I was not there always to control his access to electronic gadgets. My younger son was born in 2009 and he also needed my attention most of the time. So, I had to switch myself between these two kids. 

Without explaining my situation, this post won't get finished. I was alone with these two kids. My husband used to come late after 7:30 PM. Tanay, my younger son was too sensitive to the noise and Tanishk was very loud when he used to make tantrums. (Still, he is very loud. I can not stand with him, when he shouts and screams.) When I try to take away computer from him, he used to make tantrums and very loud noises. So, when Tanay was sleeping, I did let him do whatever he is doing.

In June 2012, when it became a little easy to make Tanay busy in something else when I was working with Tanishk, I decided to not to give computer to him. How can I forget that day? He came from the school and he asked for computer. He kept asking, crying, screaming, banging, stomping, hitting for 1 hour. Next day, same thing happened, but only for 10 minutes. After that day, his attention and focus were increased a lot. He doesn't touch the computer, and if he gets he gives it back in time. I don't let him stim on any gadget. That was the major achievement for me.

Still, he gets electronic gadgets but for the limited time and as a reward. He loves music. But now, he plays music appropriately and also play games appropriately. He reads stories. His focus is improved a lot. Still, sometimes he is tempted to do wrong things. Still, he repeats the talks from videos and audios. He sings songs and also tells stories.

Now, I can say that I have taken right decision. I told my readers this story for telling them - "Please don't let your child get lost into these electronic gadgets, he / she can learn them later. Engage them in other useful activities instead of TV and Computer. Use them for short time."