So to start my son is currently 2 1/2 yrs old turning 3 in October this year. Since he was around the age of one and a half to two I found it really hard to parent my son and to get him to do simple tasks or listen to me and he would have over the top tantrums hitting, punching, scratching, throwing and biting which would take 30min to an hour just to settle him down. When he started main stream daycare in a centre the staff picked up on these things but he was only two and thought it was a stage (we all did) but something just didn't feel right.
I went and seen a children's doctor at my usual gp that specialised with children that was linked with the mater hospital. I paid a fortune ($280) to sit for 15 mins talk about what my son has been doing and gave him a letter from the daycare with their third party observations. The doctor said it was an age thing and he was more disobedient then the usual 2 yr old as he is doing the opposite to what we say and it will get better as he grow and that was it.
Since then it has gotten worse at home, At day care and I can't go out anywhere to catch up at a cafe etc as he throws & smashes plates, glasses etc and if he runs he's gone he has no fear and I'm frantically looking for him so crowed places are a no go.
He has started a new day care centre and hits, bites and scratches the educators but only other kids when they get to close and invade his space. He seems quiet at day care plays by himself but he doesn't listen, won't sit down or stay still and will walk off and do his own thing, doesn't want to sit down for lunch and instead will grab something and run around eating it. The educators have spoken to me every couple of days just letting me know whats happening and how they have tried a range of different approaches and they find themselves getting frustrated and leaving the room as he gets aggressive and yells when being asked to pick up something he's thrown or finished playing with.
At home he throws food, breaks every thing he can find, bed time has gotten worse he won't go to sleep and bounces off the wall then bam crashes. Im finding that I'm isolating myself as its so stressful to go anywhere. Don't get me wrong he has a heap good moments as well but more bad moments then good lately and its getting worse.
For instance he will be a meter away from me I will say his name 4-5 times and he ignores me i will tap his shoulder and he will growl at me and push me away.
My Father had ADHD and a few other things when he was younger that I found out when I was pregnant and my grandmother said just to watch for it in the future. So unsure if that is related.
I just wish someone would say "what a good boy" instead of "wow is he always this full on" "I don't know how you do it he's so full on I feel sorry for you" "I actually think there may be more going on, you should maybe see someone" then theres the looks I get like i can't control me child and they shake their heads or stare. I have been trying different things left right and centre, changing diet and routine. I know being a parent isn't meant to be easy but I just wish things were normal.
Has anyone experienced this ? And if your child has been diagnosed when did you see signs ?
Ive moved to Brisbane since seeing the last doctor so hoping that seeing someone would be easier to do but where do I start ?
1 Replies
I personally would demand from my GP a referral for a developmental paediatrician. This is not an age thing. It does not sound like ADHD. It actually sounds a lot like autism, but it also could be a number of other things, there are cross overs in diagnoses so the paediatrician will get you to the right diagnosis.
Definitely go private, don't wait on a waiting list. Early intervention is key. Also get your son referred to a behavioural psychologist at the same time. They will be able to help with strategies that work.