HELP!!! He won't stop screaming!!!

Narelle - posted on 05/05/2009

Thanx Shannon I have neva herd of SID. I will definately take him 2 an OT. I am a mum of 5 boys n I am still learning 21 yrs down the track. Yeh the screaming is shocking n stressful but I wood like 2 help him if I can. All advice appreciated...

Shannon - posted on 05/03/2009

It sounds like he may have Sensory Integration Disorder. I am going through some similar issues with the SID for my son and if you can get him in for an eval with an occupation therapist, they can and will help out A LOT! Good luck, I know first hand how maddening the screaming is.

Narelle - posted on 04/29/2009

Maybe he mite just hav "austic-style" behaviours. None of my other boys had any of these behaviours but i luv my little boy just the same. Nice chatting 2 u n if i get 2 worried i wil definately look further into it ...oh by the way i had a suspicion u either worked wit kids or had a child wit it urself...u seem 2 no wat u r talking about .

Kt - posted on 04/29/2009

I didn't mean to worry you about the autism thing! However, if it's something that you think is a possiblity, you might want to have him assessed by a doctor.



But, I think a diagnosis is only part of it... whether or not your little guy has autism, or just some difficult behaviors, you'll have to deal with the behaviors either way! One think I've noticed, though, is that there are a lot of great parent resources now on the Internet for autism behaviors. So... maybe you child may show some "autistic-style" behaviors, but not be autistic. Either way, the suggestions for dealing with the behaviors can be helpful.



One more suggestion... you might want to give him some choices for how to muffle the sound before it gets out of hand -- something he can see as "something special just for him." (ear muffs, or ear phones, or hooded sweatshirt.) Make sure it is not a punishment, but an "incentive" to stay calm. He might really like it!

Narelle - posted on 04/28/2009

Well Kristen thanks again 4 replyin 2 my questions....I do take ur advice on board. I definately wil get Noah some ear muffs n c if this makes a difference. As far as autism goes I have often thort he mite have had mild autism but I don't no that much about it. He's not a cuddly little boy but some kids r like that n he loves goin out n especially 2 daycare n his speech is excellent. So I'm a bit unsure bout that. He also tends 2 rock if he's sitting down quietly but I just thort that was somthing that just relaxed him. I had him at 39, wood that have anything 2 do wit him havin autism?? [ if that's wat he's got.] Now I'm worried.......

Kt - posted on 04/28/2009

Hey again...



Sounds like "sensory overload" is a better fit for your boy then attention seeking... I'm thinking he's screaming to "drown out" the rest of the sounds/touching/etc. You might want to try some ways to help him stay calm when his environment is getting to be "too much" for him. Some kids like ear muffs (maybe get something fun like Thomas or Mickey) or even ear phones with his favorite kids music. Others like tight hooded sweatshirts or blankets to "hide" in. I think you might also just have to realize that he is very sensitive to sound and touch, and plan your trips accordingly (don't go to the mall on Saturday...).



Read this blog post -- she gives LOTS of good suggestions at the end. It's from someone who had autism as a child and had a lot of sensory overload (I'm not saying your child has autism, but the behavior is one that is also in autistic kids...)



http://posautive.blogspot.com/2008/06/ta...



BTW... I used to be a special needs teacher ... can you tell?

Narelle - posted on 04/27/2009

Hi n thanks Kristen on ur advice Noah doesn't like noises he always says" noise mummy". Or even if my husband n I r havin a conversation he tells us 2 "stop it " because he doesn't want 2 hear it which I don't understand because he can scream n the noise doesn't bother him. Maybe I shood say 2 him" noise Noah wen he screams.I tend 2 let him get his own way wen he screams especially wen it comes 2 our 6 yr old. He wil have somthin n Noah wil want it so he creams n I say" just give it 2 him" . I no thats wrong but it quietens him down instantly. He is a good boy n very helpful wen he wants 2 b we r just ova the screaming......

Kt - posted on 04/27/2009

First -- take a deep breath! I know that the screaming is SOOO hard to deal with. I feel like I can't think when my kid is screaming. As for suggestions... I think you need to figure out WHY he is "a screamer" then you can figure out how to deal with it appropriately.



Is he super-sensitive to sensory stuff (like sounds, touching, etc.)? Maybe then you need to help him "de-sensitize" his environment to help him calm down. Ear covers, hand holding, etc.



Or...is he screaming because he "knows" thats what gets everyone's attention (and he *loves* attention)? Maybe you need to re-focus him on other more appropriate ways he can get your attention, and ignore/consistently discipline the inappropriate ways.



Those are just my initial thoughts. Most 2-year-olds are more aware of their environment -- and more able to control their behavior -- then they let on (I know mine is!). Good luck!