I think there is something wrong with my 2 year old. He has some odd behaviours amd I'm not sure they are normal. For example repetitive habits. He will spend ages turning on light and fan switches and will have the biggest tantrum when you move him or what ever he has climbed on to get to them. I have told him no maybe 50/60 times and he still does it. Just now I took him to wash his hands after breakfast and he was like a wild animal trying to get to the taps. Scratching, pinching, screaming and climbing to turn the taps on and off. He was like a dog going after a bone. I have tried getting down to his level and calmly explaining no and he will just look me in the eyes and do it anyway. Is this normal at 2? I've spoken to his doctor and he said they don't look at behaviours until 3 or 4.
2 Replies
Firstly your GP is wrong!! I love doctors, my sister is one, but on this issue some GPs make me furious.
My son got his ASD diagnosis around 2 years of age (20 YEARS AGO, that's how wrong your GP is). And many children receive a provisional diagnosis by 18months old these days. There are loads of early diagnostic tools available for children your sons age. Even if they can't diagnosis there is loads of support from child psychologists, OTs etc and early intervention can make a huge difference.
So I'd be demanding a referral to a child psychologist, or a centre that does diagnostics. What state are you in? You can go to the Autism Awareness Australia website they have a huge amount of info in every state.
Please see a paediatrician and get a second and third opinion. I found that if I went to my child health nurse, got a referral to speech, then OCcupational therapy and then to an audiologist and then took all 3 reports to the doctor they could not argue with me. My sons doctor told me not to be stupid, my next appointment for myself my own doctor not my sons doctor asked me how long it had been going on like that, when my son had a massive meltdown in the docs office. Wrote me a referral straight away he was diagnosed 18 months later. Your child health nurse is your best friend and should be the one to help you start the process. Don't let them say no!! You know your child they do not!