help with 2 year old daughters strange behaviors?

Question

this is a typical day with my daughter please help.
she cries alot. she likes to play by herself even if there are other kids around. she will spend a good bit of time spinning around til she gets dizzy or she jumps and jumps and jumps. she seems to zone out alot and will stare at something for awhile or stare at the ceiling fan. we can not take her out to the store because she just cant handle it we stopped taking her out to eat it was just to hard. she hates and wont keep on socks or shoes. she has a speech delay. its very hard to get her to eat something unless she wants to eat (yes i know she is 2 but what do you do if she wont eat she has gone for 4 days at a time with out eating) she only has 3 bottles a day (hey pick your battles as my pcp says) and 1 sippy cup of juice. she dont sleep through the night and naps are far & few and cries alot after waking up she cant self calm (behavorist is even stumped what to do) she throws a temper that could scare nanny 911.
HELP

she also chews and chews on her fingers, fears loud noises will come running when these are heard. when upset will slam her head off anything or will throw herself backwards whether standing or sitting. she has been this way since she has been 6mos old. even at that age was throwing temper tantrums

sorry for keeping adding to this. we had her checked at 14mos old but were told they dont like to lable this young. and they said it wasnt austism since she makes eye contact.

I dont think that 3 bottles of milk and a sippy of juice spread throughout the day is filling her up. my other child used to drink that and more and still ate very good. she is just very particual as to what she eats.

she receives speech therapy, developmentalist, behavorist and a ot person. I am not worried about the bottle i am not a person who is so strict about that i need to pick my battles here. has had her hearing checked and from what they could test it all looks ok.

Answer 1

What you are describing sounds like Autism. But I know that doctors don't like to diagnose Autism this young. But she may have Sensory Integration Dysfunction. First, I think you should call your local Early Intervention office and have her evaluated. If she is delayed, she should be receiving Speech Therapy. If her bahavior is in fact, due to Sensory Integration Dysfunction, your daughter will benefit tremendously from Occupational Therapy as well. A speech therapist can help with talking, but with the feeding issues you are describing as well.

Your next step should be to consult a Neurologist and request an MRI and an EEG. Frequent staring spells and "spacing out" can mean seizure activity.

And lastly, I'd suggest a support group online to get additional information and emotional support. Try: www.specialparent.org

I truly hope that you find answers for your daughter. I know how upsetting and stressful this is for you, as I have a special needs daughter myself (with Cerebral Palsy). Good luck and don't back down. You are and always will be the best advocate for your child.

Answer 2

The first thing is to cut the bottles out...She is 2 time for sippy cups. Dont give her so much to drink through out the day. Tell her that she needs to eat some food before she can have a drink. I do this with my daughter. My 2 year old plays by herself also even with other kids around. I think once you take that bottle away she will start to get hungry and want to eat. Give it a shot! God Bless and Good luck!

Answer 3

I think you should get a second opinion. My son is 3 and he was diagnosed with a form of autism. He makes eye contact. However, he also has the brain power to lock out whatever he don't want to hear. As a matter of fact, for almost 2 years ear probes said he was deaf. Turned out, he could actually stimulate and use a part of his brain that locks out functions of hearing. When he gets mad or frustrated, he will knock his head against the wall, and will zone out. He plays alone most of the time. Even though he has a sister. They play apart, same as at the park with other kids. He spins, jumps, and has energy like a hyper dog, but at 3 he can do a 60 pc. puzzle. Not bad for a kid who has a speech problem. When he gets mad he will throw himself on the ground and kick, scream and cry till he can't keep his breath, and has even scratched himself. When he does that we grip him hard in a firm hug and rock him till he calms down. He will break out into a sweat trying to get free and kicking, sometimes lasting an hour or two, but you have to just correct them with love. What you are describing sounds just like my son. Last year, after being called deaf for almost two years, he was diagnosed with autism.

Answer 4

Get a second opinion on the autism. I have a nephew with autism and he makes eye contact just fine. Continue to get her early intervention like the behaviourist and cherish her for who she is. Make sure she is on formula or a pediatric nutrition drink to make sure she is still getting enough nutrients but I wouldn't take the bottle away as it is the only reliable way of feeding her. Might be a good idea to get her sight and hearing checked as well.

Answer 5

That totally sounds like autism. Some autistic kids will look you in the eye, it depends on the severity and their type of autism. And doctors definitely label kids that early, I'd get a second and third opinion.

Answer 6

Sounds as if she is either developmentally delayed or is borderline autistic. If you have told your pediatrician this stuff and he hasn't had her tested then I suggest you find another doctor. She should NOT be on the bottle at all, as far as taking her shoes and socks off...ALL kids do that...some strip bare completely. As for her playing by herself what's the problem? She can entertain herself be thankful she doesn't expect YOU to entertain her. As for not sleeping through the night...I don't recall ANY 2 year old who did...IF you have questions and your regular doctor aren't answering them for you find another doctor.

Answer 7

She sounds like she may be ,ildly autistic. The aversion to being in public places, as well as the speech delay are classic symptoms. Also, many autistic children prefer to be barefoot because it is easier for them to explore new things with their feet than their hands. It seems more removed for them. Check with a child psychologist. It may not becessarily be severe, good luck.

Answer 8

my son is 2 and he prefers to play by himself, and he has older siblings. my pediatrician said that kids don't really start to socialize until they are around three years of age anyway. he spins around until he is dizzy, but he has only done that a few times, he doesn't like to wear socks or shoes and he often takes off all of his clothes..one bit of advice...get her off the bottle....but the other symptoms that you describe are scary...i think that you should get a second opinion..there is obviously something wrong here that goes beyond the "terrible twos".

Answer 9

It may not be autism- some kids have a lower sensory threshold than others.
Some children with this condition are greatley bothered by noise, or change , or even something as simple as the tags on their clothing.

http://childparenting.about.com/cs/childdevelopment/a/temperament_5.htm

Answer 10

I don't know too much about this myself, but it sounds a lot like the disorder that my neighbor's son has, called sensory integration disorder. I would strongly suggest you also seek another opinion from a different doctor. Good luck to you.