2.5 Yr Old's Energy Level and Behavior

Have you done Occupational Therapy for his sensory issues? It is the sensory issues that is causing this behavior. My son had the same thing. We started speech therapy at 18 months and Occupational therapy at 23 months. I also had him attend a special education class for preschool for the 3 year old and 4 year old class. I did this because he was able to get his services at school. He is now ending Kindergarten in a regular ed setting. He is one of the best talkers in his class, and his behavior is outstanding in class and at home. Work on the sensory issues it is the key to getting him where he needs to be.

Dear T.,

This could be a lot of things, but one possibility is a rather pronounced case of sensory integration disorder. You sound like you're already familiar with these issues, but I do want to mention that some kids have strong sensory reactions to chaos -- even situations that don't seem especially chaotic to adults. On the surface, standing still doing nothing and running around wild, out of control, sound like they're worlds apart, but if you think about it, withdrawal and hyperactivity are both ways to screen out external chaos. There is something called "heavy work" that occupational therapists can do with kids with sensory issues -- I haven't seen it myself, but I know it has fantastic results for some kids; you might want to ask the therapist your son is seeing.

On the possibility of autism, I agree that you might want to set up a meeting with a neurodevelepmental diagnostician -- just in case. Nearly all autistic kids have sensory issues, but NOT all children with sensory issues are autistic -- by a long shot. But if he winds up being somewhere "on the spectrum," the best thing in the world you can do is get an early diagnosis. It's sort of like chest pains -- chest pains can be symptoms of a lot of different things, but if you have them, you want to see a cardiologist ASAP, just in case. I also recommend carefully documenting your son's relationship with you: how related/connected (vs. how withdrawn) is he one-on-one?

After raising that alarming possibility, I actually want to close on a really hopeful note. My own son, who will be turning 4 later this summer, had some clear sensory issues from infancy until very recently. For him, the most troubling manifestation was extreme shyness -- so much so that he just about completely shut down in the presence of other children. He also had very heightened sensitivity in his feet and had extreme fears of the bath and of wind. And now -- just within the last month or so -- my son has magically, amazingly started to outgrow all of it. He's still on the shy, sensitive side, and is somewhat immature socially, but he actually has friends, which is unbelievable considering where he was just earlier this year. He has almost no problem with wind; his other issues are still there, but they're "down to size," they're no longer overwhelming phobias. I really didn't do anything to bring this change about; N. gets all the credit for it. NOT every child outgrows these issues, of course, but many do, at least to an extent. So no guarantees, but there's hope.

I hope this helps,

Mira

It sounds like your son may have some retained primitive reflexes, specifically the Moro Reflex. My daughter was like you son - at 2 1/2 we went to a friend's birthday party, and instead of playing with the other kids she spent the entire party on my hip, ducking her head. I remember it clearly, even though she is 21 now!

It wasn't until she was 12 that she finally was diagnosed with sensory integration dysfunction, retained primitive reflexes, learning disabilities, and more. It is good that you are exploring this now.

The Moro reflex is present at birth, and is usually integrated by about 4 months. For those who retain it, they have two or more of these symptoms:
 Car sickness or poor balance and coordination
 Poor stamina
 Doesn’t maintain eye contact
 Sensitive to light
 Sensitive to sound
 Allergies
 Adverse reaction to drugs
 Hypoglycemia
 Dislike of change
 Anxiety or nervousness
 Mood swings
 Poor math sense
If you think this may be an issue, and would like more information, you can read "Reflexes, Learning, and Behavior" by Sally Goddard, or visit www.pyramidofpotential.com. Occupational therapists may know about the primitive reflexes, but not all are trained in how to integrate them - you have to ask.

I wish you the very best in your journey! My daughter's story has a happy ending - after 2 years of trainings and therapies, she is a Dean's List college Junior without trainings or therapies. She's social and happy. I hope for the same for your son!

Hi
Wow I wonder if you realize how much you are asking.
First speech delay often causes kids to act differently. They have trouble communicating. Is he catching up? If not and maybe you would want to do it anyway is to incorporate sign language into your speech. Think about it. Just in case use real signs.
Motion often calms children so the fact that he is calm on train and stroller shows me that it does him. Does a swing calm, or sitting on the dryer? Use them to your advantage. Think of other motions that might work and use them.
The teacher's response shows me that it is possible that he causes her no grief, therefore is not hyperactive at school. Does that mean nothing is wrong? Perhaps but perhaps not. Quiet children standing in a corner or away from the group does not bother the typical teacher because they are not squeaking the wheel, so to speak.
One technique I have used is to put the child's hand on your neck to feel the vibrations, then talk. Then tell him to talk as you put his hand on his own neck. Have you ever heard of that? Keep it up til he realizes that there is vibration then you may find he does it on his own.
If you have a real diagnosis then be sure you read all about it, if not ask the MD for testing, etc to find out more about how to help.
God bless you and give you wisdom

A therapist is not a diagnostician, and autism is not diagnosed or ruled out based on one or two things a child can do. While people who say these kinds of things mean well, they do great harm to children in thier care because parents often delay necessary evaluations because that is exactly what they want to hear. Being willing to socialize does not negate the posibilty of an autism diagnosis either, both ideas are complete myths.

I have no idea what is going on with your son, and no one else will after reading your post, but you need an evaluation with a developmental pediatrician as soon as you can get one because something is definetly going on here there needs more than state mandated early intervention services. You need to know exactly what that is, it might not be autism, there are many different things other than autism that cause the kinds of flags you are seeing, and you need a full evaluation.

Call the nearest children's hospital and make an appointment with a Developmental Pediatrician. It may take several months to get in to see one. As soon as you spend some time on the phone with the intake nurse, you will realize that you are in the right place, there are far too many red flags here for you to wait any longer. Never wait and see with developmental issues, your son has too much to loose if waiting is the wrong thing. You are in the best win win siutation possible. Either you walk out getting a professional saying that you have not a thing to worry about, or you find out exactly what to do so that your son will improve and progress in a more typical fashion. He wins either way.

In the mean time, call a private speech therapist and occupational therapist and start some private therapy for him, because they can do therapy with out a full diagnosis based on the issues you see. Public services are designed to make your son "functional" and will never be enough to maximize his potential, which is what you want for him. Get all the public services you can, but use it as a supplement for as much private therapy you can afford to provide.

M.

PDD is autism- othewise known as Pervasive Developmental Disorder. There are several kinds of Autism, or PDD. Usually, kids who do not fit the whole diagnostic criteria for atutistic disorder (classic autsim- or Kanners Autism) are diagnosed as PDD-NOS (not otherwise specified.) They may also be diagnosed as PDD-Asperger syndrome, Childhood Distintigrative Disorder, or Angleman syndrome.

It sounds to me like is just taking it all in. He is 2 and still finding his own way. New experiences can be overwhelming especially if he has sensory issues as you mentioned.

Do you think he was tired or not feeling well at the zoo? My son gets similar services and he makes eye contact and socializes. His DI therapist says his main issue is that he is strong willed and will want to do what he wants instead of what is expected of him or that she wants too much of the time. This puts him at risk of PDD. Have you taken his to see a Neurodevelopmental Pediatrician? The standing in the corning staring and sucking his thumb are yes, a little concerning. That is really great that he is getting EI though.

I think hes just bored

Dear T., Your son may be shy around other children (daycare) and when he is in the stroller is just taking in the sights. As most children, he loves to be let out and run around free. Not much different than other children. The word of the professional is good too. Give him time and he may blend more. Grandma Mary