Replies

1. 
   unclemike42 | Jan 09, 2022 09:14am | #1

   I am sorry for your friends to have these challenges.

   https://www.autismparentingmagazine.com/sensory-room-ideas/

   There are more things to consider than the durability and resilience of the wall assembly.

   I suspect that the behavior is motivated to fill a perceived sensory need. (so making the wall harder to poke a hole in may not be a long term solution. The reaction to a harder wall might be to increase the force, or focus on the door instead of the wall)

   Thicker drywall would be stronger, and coverings of cork or vinyl are available. Institutional solutions will look instutional.

2. 
   unclemike42 | Jan 09, 2022 09:18am | #2

   I have several family members who are on the spectrum. Parents have challenges, but the key is to increase understanding of what these kids need, and how to help them navigate the challenges of daily life.

   These children have special needs, but have special capabilities as well. The art is in helping them overcome the former to allow them to share the latter.

1. 
   flseminarian | Jan 09, 2022 08:49pm | #3

   Thank you for the insightful and caring comments, UM42. My friends have been dealing with this a long time and been down a lot of roads. Some have been productive and some have been dead ends. But I'm sure you have seen that, too.

   I think that the primary goal for now is protecting child and property, in that order. I'm trying to think of a solution that can look less industrial and still have protective capabilities. Maybe adhering 3" memory foam mattress toppers to OSB ,fabricing, and putting it on the walls. Light Lexan in a wood frame inside the window so he can't reach the glass, and there's some give.

1. 
   unclemike42 | Jan 10, 2022 12:06pm | #4

   It is good you can help them with this.

   You could buy or make fabric covered panels and apply them to the wall. They sell a lot of these for sound control, which might be an extra benefit.

   Might start with one wall and see how the child interacts with the change.

3. 
   florida | Jan 10, 2022 04:12pm | #5

   We had a couple with an autistic son rent from us for many years. As the boy got older and bigger he became more and more destructive. He started out peeling the layers from the wood paneling in his room until the walls were bare then tore the plumbing out. Then he started breaking the windows with his hands which landed him in the hospital several times. I glued heavy lexan over all the glass which prevented the cuts but still broke the glass. We tried everything we could think of but nothing stopped him, he destroyed everything. By this time he was 6'2' tall and began hurting his parents. They managed to keep him home until he was 17 but reached the point where it was dangerous to him and his parents for him to be there so he had to be put in a care home. His mother died shortly after and his father had to be placed in a care home as well. Everything about it is tragic.
   I think the only thing that would work long-term is the proverbial rubber room and who wants that? I wish I had an answer for you.

1. 
   flseminarian | Jan 11, 2022 03:58pm | #7

   Thank you for your concern.

   Yes, in the longer term I am concerned in the broader scope.

4. 
   greg_e | Jan 11, 2022 03:40pm | #6

   Commercially available pads are high density foam glued to osb and covered in vinyl fabric. There is no reason you can't make them yourself, but even the materials are expensive.

1. 
   flseminarian | Jan 11, 2022 04:01pm | #8

   The problem with the commercially available panels is lead time. I can't actually make them for what I can buy them for, but manufacturing lead time is anywhere from 3 to twelve weeks.