Is there something wrong with my son?

Jessica - posted on 07/06/2011

If it continues longer than 6months, take him to a sensory specialist

Amanda - posted on 07/04/2011

My son is 16 mos old as well and he does the same thing..he has a therapist come work with him once a week and she just informed us that he seems to have major sensory issues and that she believes he is autistic..(not trying to worry you)..we are going thru all the tests and specialists stuff right now..they have us working with my son on certain skills which makes him throw even bigger tantrums cause he lacks communication skills..so we're now starting sign language with him& trying to lessen the tantrums..which haven't worked just yet..but hey, its only the beginning...hopefully things get easier with your son!

Becca - posted on 07/02/2011

I say sensory issues...

Veronica - posted on 07/02/2011

I also read that if you ignore the tantrum and head banging it usually will dissapear. I know that's hard, but I read it on HealthTap.com - a site of Pediatricians...

Veronica - posted on 07/02/2011

Do you guys go outside and let off plenty of steam? Sometimes, if they are not running around enough, it can wire them up pretty badly. Also, being the youngest, he could really feel like he's not getting his quality time that the older children were more easily able to get at his age. I would spend some alone time bonding with him and see if that helps, too. I would also schedule to talk with your Pediatrician, as well. Good luck with your son. I hope everything works out. I know it must be hard to see your son so upset to the point of hurting himself. Hang in there. I know you will get to the bottom of it. Let us know how it turns out.

Ingrid - posted on 07/02/2011

I have a soon to be three year old. He was receiving speech therapy but he never listened and threw himself on the floor, bangs his head, throws everything. I couldn't understand why. It turns out he has PDD-NOS and is very sensory seeking. Just putting it out there.

Charleen - posted on 06/28/2011

My 5 year old was like that and it seemed to have come from when I was angry during my pregnancy not saying that is your situation but she is still like that today when she gets mad she will hit pinch kick biting has gone down for the most part it is gone and we are dealing with the other things like putting her in karate has helped quite a bit and the hurting himself making himself bleed I would definatley talk to the doc about that one my daughter never did anything like that one but she did hit her head on the floor she is now 5 so she hits more but I would try the cradle hold when he gets mad and just hold him and hold tight because the kids are stronger than you think they are but not tight enough to cause bruises that is what the doctor told me to do so try that and just talk to him softly what are you so mad for what is wrong you can tell mommy you can just breath it out or scream really loud or have him hit the pillow show him these things they understand even if they seem so young but try it and see what works

Debby - posted on 06/27/2011

My son had tantrums when he was pre-verbal (had lots of ear infections)...and when he did, I would lay him across my lap until he was done and then sit him up and talk to him until he was calmed down. In his case it was frustration.

Kelly - posted on 06/27/2011

I would say that your situation should be talked about with a doctor. If his head banging is getting that dangerous where he is actually hurting himself doing it then you may want to get that looked at. My son use to head bang, when tired, when mad etc. but he never did it to the point of hurting himself. They say that if you give a reaction/attention to the headbanging or tell them not to they will do it anyway because you are showing them that the headbanging gets your attention whether positve or negative they don't care. but in your case, wtih your child hurting himself to the point of a bloody nose I would ask about it.

Ellyn - posted on 06/24/2011

My daughter does that too, to an extent. She throws herself around and occasionally will knock her head into the floor or my computer chair. She's definitely bruised her forehead more than once while throwing a tantrum.

Jessica - posted on 06/24/2011

No bleeding yet but we have a tantrum throwing head banging one. time out usually works. Sometimes I put him in his room until he calms down. that last one usually works best because he wants me to see him do it and stop him.... which I won't do because that only makes him do it more. Its a "I don't get what I want so I am going to hurt myself and hope you give it to me" type thing...

Asianne - posted on 06/23/2011

It's a phase! My son Hadriel has been doing that too, and he is 16 months old. He hits his head on the floor when he throws himself down, and even hits his head on walls and doors, whatever he finds. But its just screaming for attention, and just being a goober. I just put him in his naughty chair until he calms down, and then he is fine :) hope this helps!

Lee-Ann - posted on 06/22/2011

My son was doing that they told me it is a behavior problem and put him on time out for 2 mins.

Sheila - posted on 06/20/2011

I wonder if its frustration Gena, it may be something as simple as not being able to make himself understood, you might like to try baby sign language/ baby makaton - even the most basic signs for food, drink, tired, etc may be really beneficial - or you could just make up your own signs...

Melissa - posted on 06/19/2011

My brother threw HORRIBLE tantrums when he was around that age. He'd throw himself on the floor and slam his head back several times. We were always terrified he was going to really hurt himself! We never had to seek any additional help; he just kind of got over it. Some children go through these tantrums for a very long time, though, so if you're concerned I would definitely talk to his pediatrician about it. Sometimes it can be an indication that something is wrong, but most times it's really just the age. Being a toddler is really frustrating, as I'm sure you well know. Some kids are just a lot more expressive lol

Dionne - posted on 06/19/2011

They covered what I was going to suggest. My youngest two deal with sensory and the training helps a lot. My son was a head banger, he was 6 before anyone in the medical field would help us. You might need to be persistant in your efforts to get help but stay with it the earlier the child is shown how to deal with there sensory triggers the better it is for all involved. You can also get the training if you ask the therapist. Good luck!

Schmoopy - posted on 06/19/2011

Head banging is actually fairly common. This site has some good info on head banging: http://www.babycenter.com/0_head-banging...

But I like Angela's opinion - sensory issues can be very disconcerting to a child. I can definitely see where head banging might be a way to cope (or a way to spiraling out of control when a sensory issue isn't being addressed). My oldest had sensory issues, and once I figured out how to address them, our entire family began to work better. This is a great website for SPD: http://www.sensory-processing-disorder.c...

If you think sensory issues are in play, find a good Occupational Therapist who is trained to deal with SPD. S/he will work with you and your child so you can not only be in therapy but find therapeutic exercises you can do at home to help your child learn how to cope.

Angela - posted on 06/19/2011

It sounds like he might have some sensory issues... Try talking to your doc. and see if he can refer you to an early intervention program. They usually have developmental therapists that will work with him. And never consider it your fault, some children just dont know how to handle their anger, and take it out in the only way they know how. They just have to be taught different ways to handle it.