22 Month Old Boy Who Won't Stop Screaming - ACK!

Hi N.,

So sorry you are going through this screaming phase. My daughter use to do this as well and it was for attention but also out of frustration because she could not communicate with me. I started then asking her to, "Show Mama what you want." And it worked and still does. Sometimes she screams for attention and she knows it will get a rise out of me. I've tried ignoring it but sometimes it's so loud that I have to tell her "NO Ma'am that hurts Mama's ears." And then she laughs. This is hard age since they can't fully communicate what they want. We know some basic sign language that sort of helps as well.

I'm hoping your son will grow out of this soon. Hang in there! It will get better. :) Have a great weekend! --R. :)

Sorry that I don't have any first hand advice, but here are some links to some suggestions I found:

What you can do about it

Screaming at your toddler to lower her voice won't help — it'll only send the message that whoever's loudest prevails. Your best bet is to avoid situations that'll tempt your toddler to raise her voice — and to divert her attention when she does scream. Here are some ideas on doing just that...
http://www.babycenter.com/0_screaming_###-###-####.bc

Also, see this link's section about offering incentives for good behavior
http://infantstoddlers.suite101.com/article.cfm/preventin...

o.k.... take a deep breath - he is using the screaming to get what he wants - its effective and as long as its effective he will continue doing it.
It might take you two days (an perhaps a bottle of wine after the kids go to bed : ) to get this done - Everytime he screams, script to him what you want him to say and do not give in till he complies.
ex. screams because his truck is stuck. "mom please help me with my truck" - say it over & over till he complies. His screams have worked for him so he will be confused at first. Once he complies praise him like crazy! really over do it. Make the connection between him complying and the positive reward. Eventually it will work - Everyone has to be on board though.... I have struggled with older siblings just doing what the little one needs, undermining the Parents hard work.
Good luck!!!
T.

Hi,
Try teaching him Sign language, that is very helpful and they get less frustrated. It worked with my 2 granddaughters.

Oly

I think he needs a speech therapist ASAP. The lack of speech may be why he's frustrated. Just keep ignoring the behavior, not the other stuff. **EDIT My nephew had a speech delay and we just stopped letting him get away with pointing and making noises to get what he wants. Suddenly he started using words. So, even if you know what's he's after, really try and ignore the behavior until he acts appropriately.** I think you're right, he does it because he communication skills are bottled up and it gets a rise out of all of you. He's always the center of attention now.
Talk to the pediatrician about this as a speech issue (not just behavioral) and demand a therapy referral. If he/she still doesn't help, get another pediatrician - really. I think you need to start with the root cause of the behavior, and if he's only saying a few words, that's a BIG clue. At this point, after all your efforts, it's time to start figuring out WHY he's acting like this and that's something you need professional help to do. It could be speech related, or something else, but don't let the doctor just brush you off as a mom who let's the kid run the universe. You have another child and have been working on this for months.
Good luck.

Boy, it sounds like you have done all the right things!

The only other suggestion I could make is to arrange one-on-one time with him during the day. Take him to Ready Set Play or someplace really fun where it is just you two and he has your focus. I don't think it would need to be an entire afternoon...just an hour or two might help.

The only other thing I could suggest is to get some ear plugs and when he screams, put them on and ignore him. Just completely ignore him and go about your business. Calmly look at him and take out the plugs to ask if he is finished screaming and if he starts in again, put them back in. If this in fact is a control issue, let him know that without a doubt, YOU are in control!

Best of luck,
S.

M y grandson does the samething. He is the same age and started at the same time.Any good advise let me know.