I babysit my nephews during the day and I've been noticing that something isn't quite right with my sisters youngest child. He is 3 1/2 years old, has been potty trained for a while now but sometimes he just chooses to go in his pants. That could be age-related but there are several other things that make me wonder.. Like he has absolutely no balance. He trips over his own feet ALL the time, runs into things, steps on your feet, sits CLOSE to the tv as if he can't see or hear it... ohh and another thing, if he runs into a wall and puts a big knot on his head (happens ALOT) he'll come show you and when you ask what happened.. he will run into the wall again (and put another big knot) to show you how it happened. It's almost as if he can't feel pain ?? He is constantly trying to annoy people...seriously, it's not a game to him, it's his way of life. He looks for ways to make his brother and cousins angry, such as turning off a game they are playing with and walks away laughing. Walks up and kicks then and then runs and hides...just to name a few. He is always hurting himself or someone. You can't turn your back on this kid!
He is also very intelligent with computers and memorizing things. He already knows all of his letters and numbers up to 20 all his colors and shapes etc. I just don't understand. Does anyone have any suggestions on what could be causing all of this behavior? Is it just his age? I have 2 older kids and they never went through anything this bad and this child's older brother never did anything like this either. I guess I am asking if any of you think this could be cause for concern? Something to look further into or just dismiss it as his age?
First guess is that the boy may have depth perception problems. He needs to see a vision therapy specialist, an optometrist that specializes in vision therapy, to be evaluated. It can cause all sorts of problems, including behavioral. If he is seen early enough, every problem may be corrected before he starts to school.
My first thought was Oppositional Defiance Disorder - which is in the autistic spectrum. Or ADHD. He needs to be fully evaluated. His parents need to start with the public school system. In FL it is called "Child Find". I think it is the same here. Call the public school he would attend and ask for him to be evaluated. He can qualify for a lot of free help - including pre-school.
I am the proud Mom of an Autistic 9 year old daughter.
Good luck!
E.
It sounds like maybe it could be a form of "Autism", and he should be seen by a specialist. I teach preschool and we have had some classes to try and help us understand a little bit about kids and behavior issues and possible causes. You didn't say whether or not you have talked to your sister about your concerns, so be careful and sensitive when you do. You want to make sure she knows you are lovingly concerned for him and that early diagnosis can really help get him on the right track. It's never too early and can be great for him as well as everyone who is around him. Make sure you show your love & support to your sister no matter what her response may be. Good luck and I'll be praying for everyone involved. T.
You are right to trust your instincts. Time to go to the doctor.
It sounds like it may be a cause for concern, however, he can not be tested until he is a little older. I beleive he is old enough for play therapy. UNT in Denton can help you with that.
I would bring up dyspraxia or sensory processing disorder to his doctor. I've sometimes wondered about those things, myself, with my son who's 4. My son does many similar things to your nephew. If it is dyspraxia or sensory processing disorder, there is play therapy he could do with an occupational therapist, as well as some things they could probably show you to do at home. I know it's hard to know if there's something wrong or not... it's like you feel like something is just "not right", but at the same time it seems very subtle and not super obvious. Anyway, good luck!
First of all, if he is smart he might not being chalenged enough so he is bored. As for the hitting and being mean, punnish him, he is old enough to understand right from wrong. The not feeling pain it could be a medical problem, you might suggest having him looked at. It could all be age but it might not be and I would want to know. This is just my opinion, my 3 year old will come home with scartches and bruises that he didn't know how he got it. He will also get hurt and not cry.
It sounds like he may have some developmental problem perhaps with his eyes - it is not too early to get them checked and it could be that that other attention seeking behavior is simply his way of trying to deal with the frustration. It is so sad when kids seek attention in a negative manner. They don't seem to understand that negative behavior tends to get a negative response. If it is not a vision issue I would check hearing next especially in light of the seeming lack of balance. Good luck to you all while you try to help him over this bump in his road.
It does seem like he has a problem that needs checked out with A Doctor. They could determine exactlly what is wrong and correct it hopefully before it damages him , his home life or future.
I would definitely get his hearing and vision checked. He could have a lot of fluid in his ears which cause sound to be muffled and balance problems. Some of the other stuff is just normal 3 year old behavior. It sounds like maybe he neds some more structured activities to hold his attention and give him positive feedback, though. Also- I agree with the hole digging- it doesn';t have to be digging- just something physical to wear him out. Physical activity is important at this age, too. Good luck- it sounds like you have your hands full!
Hello. Well, I am an optometrist so my first advice would be getting his eyes checked. You would be amazed what a pair of glasses would do not only for the obvious visual system but also behavior. I have countless stories of the way a child's life is turned around once they can see. If there is a problem with his vision, know it's no one's fault. Children who have lived in a world of blur think everyone's world looks like that. I would at least start with an eye examination and proceed from there. Good luck!
You are with him all day and you're a mom, go with your mommy instincts. If you know something is wrong, tell his parents your concerns and that he really needs to see his doctor. It could be something simple like fluid on his ears, but you never know until you get him checked out.
I have heard of visual/spacetial (spelling) disorders can cause problems with behavior and other issues, you might need to have an evaluation done.
A. J
Hi M.
You have valid reason for concern based on your observations...
I am a Neuropsychologist who performs evaluations for children and adults for a variety of issues: learning disorders, mood disorders, ADD/ADHD, Autism Spectrum, memory disorders, etc. Feel free to pass on my information to your sister...a neuropsychological evaluation can get to the bottom of these issues and provide information for early intervention.
Dr. K. Johnson
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If you go on Google and type in Oppositional Defient Disorder and read the articles, this might give you some information. I'm not saying that is what is going on, but some of the symptoms are the same. My niece just went through this with her 3 yr old and he didnt' end up with it, but was diagnosed with ADHD, anxiety and OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) He is on some medication now and is doing wonderful and the meds they have him on don't drug him out but do cut back on his aggression and his actions.
Hope this helps. Take care.
The behavior you are discribing sounds like ausbergers syndrom, but that would need to be diagnosed by a professional. He indeed does NEED to see a specialist because these are NOT normal actions even for his age. Has your sister not noticed these things or do you think she is in denial? Doesn't matter, what does is that she understand that the sooner he can be diagnosed for whatever the problem the sooner he can be helped. Waiting doesn't make it go away.
I would consider having him checked for Dyspraxia. You can google it to get more info but it is often referred to as the clumsy child syndrome or Developmental Coordination Disorder. It is often times confused for other diagnoses but it sounds like this is worth having him checked for by a physical therapist.
Has his eyesight been checked?
I'm not an educated expert but I've been around many kids, worked in daycare for years.....Anyway, I think you should go with your gut momma feeling and figure out a way to discuss this with your sister, voice your concerns. She may be concerned also but it's difficult to look at your own child and really see the problems.....The balance thing and sitting close to TV makes me think there is something really not quite right. You're a good auntie, now go forward for this little guy and make sure he gets some help. There are lots of county resources.
I think you need to bring your concerns up with your sister. She needs to take him to the doctor and see if there is a problem. It could be lack of discipline/routine, but it also could be something more serious like autism, hearing problems, or vision problems. There are all kids of things that could be contributing to his behavior. He may also be acting out for attention or because he is being abused. You really need to bring this up with your sister. It is her responsibility.
