Wednesday, August 22, 2007

Tearing down the walls--literally

This morning, I let the little ones play in the yard like usual, before it gets too hot in the middle of the day. All the sudden, I heard Ammon. He was hanging on the door of our SUV uttering "Bah bah bah bah!" Well, Ammon, 3, classic autistic, aka Monkey Boy among many other things, finally found a way to penetrate the 5 feet tall stretch of fence in our yard. He brought a toy horse to the fence and used it to hoist himself high enough to get over the fence. GRRRR!!!!

Well, Ammon and Sarah, 5, also classic autistic, have this new thing they like to do, they like to peel the paint off the wall. I'm not exaggerating in the least, as my fellow parents of autistics well know. I'm not sure how they made the original edges, I'm guessing clawing or chewing and now they are removing large sheets of it off in one sitting. Anyhow, between that, the crayon artwork, the holes and the dirty paw prints, their bedroom/playroom is one trashed joint. Our landlord wanted to do an inspection a couple of weeks ago, and gave us a few days warning--which we thanked God very much for. Well, the place looked great for about a half hour, and then she forgot to come, argh! Maybe it's for the best, maybe she'll keep forgetting or put it off until we're able to move because she just might throw us out as soon as she sees that room, uff duh...

So, John and I were thinking of how we can avoid paint peeling in the future. I got what I thought might be a pretty smart idea--hard wood flooring on the wall, the kind that doesn't scratch, chip, and has like a lifetime guarantee. I don't even know if a contractor has done this or would do this. Another idea is paneling. I know it's considered UGLY by modern day standards, but if it stays on the dang wall--I imagine it's much more affordable than Bellawood too....So, has anybody else have/had this problem and found a solution? I thank you in advance for your suggestions, that would be much helpful!

Sincerely,

Robin

16 comments:

Round Belly said...

I have never actually had mine peal paint off the walls, although I have had my share of poop smearing, perminate markers and holes.

Now that they are a little older (6 adn 8) I have started having them paint their rooms with me. This generally increases their involvement and understanding of walls. Right now we have just completed painting thier room bright red, and have plans to put up white board (from 3-6 feet) and cork board above that. We did add a wall of shelves- although they have not kept the boards on the shelves as of yet.

Stephanie said...

Hi!
My name is Stephanie and I am the proud mommy of a seven year old boy whom is autistic. I have the same problem Garrett loves to peel the paint off the wall's in his room. I thought about possibly doing his room in actual chalk board from floor to ceiling but that may not work either and in your case I am not sure which room/s your children peel the paint off of. However, if you wouldn't mind if anybody gives you a good affordable ideal would you please e-mail me and let me know? Garykaelin@yahoo.com

BigDevNMe said...

Hello, My name is Amy and I am the proud parent of a 5 year old autistic boy. This only happened one time and I bought a different paint. I had used semi gloss paint in his room and it was thick so it was easy for him to peel off. I was in shock, never thought he would peel the paint off. But I bought a flat paint, it's not easy to wipe off like the gloss is but he can't peel it because it's like a construction grade cheap paint and it doesn't have anything to peel. I would maybe suggest wall paper, that's what was up before and he never touched it.

Anonymous said...

Hi, my 5 year old peels everything. Stickers off toys, paint, soda bottles etc. He started with the back side of his door and has gotten ridiculous. Oddly, he only peels paint in his room, no where else in the house. Like he needs space and privacy from me and his brother to complete his masterpiece. Other than that, if he suspects something may have a sticker on it, he hones in like a hawk and swoops in for the kill. Anyway, if you stay with paint go with a flat latex. Wainscot may be an affordable option for you.

House of Entropy said...

Hello, My name is Elizabeth. I am the mother of 6 children. Three are autistic. My 11 year old Stephen will pick at anything (stickers, paint, wallpaper, etc.).
We have removed all the wallpaper from the walls and painted them. Stephen's latest project is tearing a hole through the drywall. He has also discovered drywall tape and has torn all the tape off the wall. I am in the process of retaping and patching the drywall. My plan is to put up panelling using extra nails and leaving no edges exposed. It won't look pretty, but neither does a hole big enough for the kids to crawl through.

Tereza said...

hi I don't have autistic children but just wanted to encourage you.....I think you guys are really doing a good job!! And yes I would go with the paneling. Panelling is actually cozy and you can get them in lighter shades as well so it wont darken the house. Keep up the good work!! your children are lucky to have you as parents!!

Anonymous said...

Hi!
We have two blind children, one of whom is autistic (4 years)and I have the same problem! Our son basically chewed a hole in his bedroom door so for a while I stuck a very fluffy textured material all over it (helps if it's a texture they dont like) and he left it alone! Looks weird, but it's his room and the way I see it everyone who makes it all the way to his room in our home will know our situation anyway..... Also tried putting nasty tasting stuff on the areas he chewed which also helps :) Good luck!! xx

Cedar said...

It is weird to see another family going through the SAME things as us. I can completely relate to the backwards pajamas too.

We fought and won the paint battle by putting up wainscot on ALL the walls of Colins room. It is cheap and easy. Another thing you can try is wood panel's (not cute but who cares?)..

Best wishes. :)

Unknown said...

Hi. I am the mom of 3 boys, my oldes 10 year old is Autistic. For the past two years he has been peeling Paint and putting holes in his walls. I finally got smart and covered them with paneling and that seems to be working. Good luck!!!

stay @ home mom said...

I have a nine year old who like to perlnpaint off walls. She also peels stickers off bottles and Toya. She had also peeled labels off of can goods too. I have to watch her every minute. the Drs have told us she doesn't have autism, but I know she does. I have Google's all the symptoms and she fits all most all of them. I just don't know what to do. We live in a rental and are not allowed to repaint the walls. She has torn a 3 foot by 3 foot area off of her bedroom walls. I fear we my get kicked out the end of this month when they come in to do our monthly inspection. We are in low rent housing as I can not work due to health issues and how my nine year old acts. I just can't afdaffto move anywhere else. I would take any suggestions you have to get her to stop peeling paint.

Unknown said...

Stay@ home mom I would have the paint matched and eepaint it anyways lol how will they know?

The Old Man said...

The Old Man
We have our Daughter and 8 year old Autistic Grandson living with us. His bent is to put holes in the walls with hands, feet, head or Body. I completely stripped the walls, used 5/8 Drywall and 1/4" thick paneling. After a couple of attempts he has quit trying in his room, now the rest of the house is another matter. We have taken out as much as possible, but he has still taken a hardwood end table and thrown it down the stairs. My wife and Daughter could not get it back up so they had me do it after I got home.

You need to be 5 steps ahead of them, but I am usually 3 behind.

Unknown said...

Why do they peel paint off the walls or peel the wood off the door? I have a 4 year old girl that is doing this. How do I get her to stop doing it?

Nevergiveup2016 said...

proud father of 4yr old autistic son. Our little issue is that, maddy, peels paint off walls and trim everywhere we go. Whether it's all over the house, at the inlaw's, vacation, upholstery in the car.. etc. He has even been kicked out of daycare due to this. I just have a hard time keeping up and feel so helpless at times. It seems to calm him when he is in his zone. But he would also result to self injury or anger, when we refrain him from doing so. We're trying our best to stay positive and hope he grows out of it. Then again, no one knows what the future holds....

Nevergiveup2016 said...

i concur to that last statement brother

Sarrah said...

I'm having the same issue with my 8 yr old daughter(with Autism) we have matte and latex painted walls and it doesnt matter, she finds a way to peel and after the paint she doesnt stop, she goes as far as peeling whatever off of the drywall,, all the way to the brown part. It's not just confined to her room, she does it wherever she can see a spot that can be peeled or picked. She peels everything and anything, stickers, labels, anything! I'm at a complete loss.
Like the above said always 3 steps behind. :/