Behavior - Greenlawn,NY

Have him evaluated. If there are any problems, it's best to find out as soon as possible so you can begin working on and/or treating them as soon as possible. Good luck.

Sounds similar to our son when he was little... and 90% of it was "cured" by popping a sippy with warm milk/ hot chocolate into his hands the moment he woke up. First 3 gulps (although sometimes he was flailing so much after waking up, i literally had to hold it to his mouth) and the "sanity" sort of seemed to reappear behind his eyes. And then he was totally normal.

It was an accidental, and easy fix... so we ran with it.

Come to find, several years later when he started school and no longer had HIS cup and HIS shelf in the fridge with snacks to eat/drink whenever; he's massively hypoglycemic. We didn't know, because the way we treat food and the "easy fix" of warm milk/hot chocolate is the best thing we could have done. Because as long as he eats a little bit every hour, and has small meals every 3 hours he's FANTASTIC.

Riley made a good point. Our daughter is like that too. We make sure she has something to eat/drink at least every couple of hours. And, my daughter was like that after waking too. Now that she is older, she has outgrown it. But my sister was like that too.

Next, he obviously has trouble with transitioning. Some kids/babies are like that. Even some adults. So, if you know that about him... then you go according to his personality needs when possible. Don't do things "abruptly"... but learn to give him verbal warnings WAY before one activity has to stop and on to another one for example. Let him segue to things... nor "rush" him.

Next, how is his communication? Does he talk? Have you taught him about feelings and the names for it? If not then do so, He is not too young for that. Teach him sign language or hand signals to convey how he feels. Anything that will give him TOOLS to express himself... and to help him cope. Coping skills, is not an instinct kids are born with... rather, their coping skills are yelling/tantrums/screaming/crying. Because that is all they "know" how to do. So in time, teach him other skills to convey things... and alternate ways to get out his pent up yah-yah's.

Next, maybe he is sensory sensitive???? My daughter is a bit like that. Not clinically... but marginally. She is just very perceptive and "feels" vibes very much... more than the normal kid/baby. But this trait, also makes her very perceptive and articulate and she can read situations very well for her age. So we nurture that. While going by her "cues" because we know her so well. So that was the learning curve, that as a parent, WE had to learn about it....
But, when she was younger... her sensitivity to things... made her 'react' more pronouncedly to things... she is mature though, and very able to navigate herself... and able. Which is the upside to it all.

All the best,
Susan

Have you asked your pediatrician about this? He may have some helpful ideas for you, or places to go for more info.

Well, if his bowel are now working right then that would make his cranky. Two year olds are hard to work with and antibiotics give then a raw butt and being sick is just hard on them in general. Try to be as consistant with the discipline as possible.

Checking blood sugar is not a bad idea, but you have noticed that he has trouble with transitions, which would not suggest a sugar problem, but certainly rule this out. You could get this done very quickly. Since he seems so misserable physically, you may want to camp out in your pediatricians office until he helps you determine if he is just feeling so bad that he cannot help his crankiness.

Because you mentioned transistions, I think that it is more likely that you are on the right track with your instinct to see a psychological professional. I think that the professional you will be most happy with is a Developmental Pediatrician. You will find one at your nearest Childrens Hospital, and it may take many months to get in to see one. A psychologist is not a medical doctor, and you need one that specializes in childhood development (not your regular pediatrician.) A Developmental Pediatrician will do a full evaluation that will bring in every type of specialist you may need, so you will miss nothing.

It is very difficult to have such a needy little one. I hope that you can find some releif soon, and I wish you much luck to figure out what is going on so that he feels better soon (and so you will feel better too!)

M.

He sounds like a normal 2 yr old who isn't feeling well.

My 2 1/2 year old is having some trouble with this as well. I try to give him a warning like "In 5 minutes we have to run to the store. Would you like to get a cookie while we're there?" I had read in another article that it is different to bribe your child while they are in a tantrum vs. heading a tantrum off by telling him what the consequences/rewards are ahead of time. Yesterday I had errands to run and he got upset because he didn't want to go out. Then I commented how we had Daddy's car yesterday and he got all excited about "driving in Daddy's red car". After that, he was not only getting his shoes but mine too! :)

Sometimes nothing works and you just have to let them have their space. The other day when we got home from an errand, he was beside himself because he still wanted to be out so he cried off and on for about an hour refusing to take his shoes and coat off. After trying for a few minutes and trying to distract and nothing working, I let him be. He wasn't hurting himself and he needed to work through his feelings. Eventually he was calm for a while and I casually asked if he wanted to take his shoes and coat off and he said, "Sure!!" The problem is for US to stay calm when in reality we want to pull our hair out by the roots sometimes. ;)

Perhaps don't spend so much time on him when he acts that way. Remember, he may get to the point where he realizes he gets the attention because of the behavior and as a result the behavior becomes the norm because he wants that attention. Don't reward it. Stay calm. If he wants to scream for an hour, make sure he is someplace safe, maybe put a cartoon or movie on that eventually could be a distraction, and go off with your 4 year old and do something fun, color, put a puzzle together, get a pop together, read a book, etc. Your 2 year old will start to want to get involved in the fun you are having and your 4 year old will love the positive reinforcement he is getting for being so good. :)

Best of luck.

I recommend having him evaluated before calling a psychologist. All he might need some sensory therapy to help with transitions.

Best of luck.

What do you do when he screams? If you give him attention, no matter what kind of attention you are feeding his behavior. Tell him calmly to stop screaming and carrying on or else. And then tell him where you are going to put him until he calms down. I suggest his high chair facing a wall or if you have a playpen (do they still make them) pit him in it and ignore him. Totally, let him scream rage beat the high chair tray what ever...and he will, because he is used to getting attention and probably whatever he wants. Remind him every few minutes that he can get up as soon as he stops. Then ignore again.
Try to anticipate his fits and head them off. If he has a problem with leaving, give him a warning. DS we are going to go in 5 minutes, DS its almost time to get ready to go, DS put away your things and put on your coat. When he wakes up from a nap he might be confused, so try to wake him up by hugging him and making it a pleasant time. Also get him to use signs if he cant talk, 2's are frustrated because they have wants, but cant vocalize them.

123 Magic by Dr. Phelan is a great book...I am an educator for over 25 years...It worked in the classroom with children with problems and it worked with my own. Dr. Phelan also had a child himself that had A.D.D.It is a quick easy to read and implement. Structure is important for child too.

check out the website www.davidhill.mymangosteen.com and think about trying the mangosteen juice....people and children are saying they have great results and seems to make people more focused, more motivated, less angry, sleep better, etc. The mangosteen dates back to the time of Queen Victoria....It tremendously helps inflamation which I have been told is the root of many illnesses and disease. People with allergies and sinus are also getting results they say.

Give a verbal reminder that transition will take place in 10 minutes of whatever the problem is.....then give a reminder that in 5 minutes that something is going to take place like going to the car for a ride.

More water, more fiber, and more fruit and veggies will help the constipation.

A good multivitamin for children is good....make sure it has all the minerals and vitamins you can get....magnesium will relax the muscles and help eliminate.

Fiberbars by Kelloggs etc that has 35% of daily fiber would help.....

I have a 3 yo that I have to give 10 minute, 5 minute and 1 minute warnings to. It helps with the melt down. Kids know how to push our buttons and will if it gets their own way. Be firm and don't give in.

Also how well does he communicate? If he is frustrated by not being able to effectively communicate try teaching him some basic sign language. You will see an improvement in behavior if his "voice" can he heard and understood.

Hope any helps. I know you may have tried these already or it may not be an issue but it worked for me. A.

Have you tried elimination diets? You mention his bowels, and I know that in some kids a wheat and/or dairy allergy or other food sensitivity will drastically negatively affect the mood of little ones. It might be that he would control it if he could. But sometimes antibiotics appears to be the trigger that sets off a gluten intolerance or such.

As much as possible, minimize the attention he's getting and anxiety you're showing when he's having a complete melt down, too. He's having trouble with transitions and taking out his frustration on everyone around him. As much as you can, offering 5 minute warnings of impending transitions and then 2 minute warnings, etc, may help.

Offer him choices as much as possible, between two acceptable options (even if one of them is time out). And as much as possible, walk away while he's mid rage. If he gets any kind of attention during it, it rewards the behavior.

But above all else, see if eliminating wheat and dairy from his diet affects things.

A child psychologist isn't a bad idea. There is also a book called "The explosive child" or something about like that which would be good for you to read.