This child is my nephew and is also throwing screaming temper tantrums. He also very particular and seems distant and doesn't respond when greeted and spoken to. He also tends to be somewhat aggressive when playing with our children. Could it be ADHD?
2007-02-17 15:52:53 · 14 answers · asked by pbs3 2 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Well, it doesn't sound like ADHD, but I wouldn't try and label/diagnose him at that young age yet. Certainly take him to a dr. and see what he says, but one thing doesn't necessarily have anything to do with the other. The screaming at night: does he stop when he's picked up and cuddled, or does he keep screaming? If he stops, he's just having nightmares, and I would think back on the things he's seen or watched on TV lately. My son managed to catch some bits and pieces of Spiderman on TV one night and he had bad dreams for several nights after that. If he doesn't respond when picked up while he's screaming at night, it's night terrors, and there's not a lot you can do except pick him up and keep him from hurting himself. Throwing tantrums often goes with the territory of being 2 and 3, but can certainly be exacerbated by any stressful events in his life. Any moves lately? Potty training issues? My son can be a little aggressive when playing with his young aunt (she's 8, he's 2) and we separate them immediately anytime he is, but I think that also can go with the territory of a young male child. Don't read too much into it. Has he always been distant? Did he respond to touch as an infant? Does he dislike being in places where there's a low din of noise, like busy restaurants? Those might be signs of autism, or, they could simply be signs that he gets overstimulated easily. Try to keep TVs, computers, off, and in general the noise level down and see how he responds. The fewer people he has to deal with at one time the better. My son completely tunes out when he has to deal with too many people for too long a time.
2007-02-17 16:29:27 · answer #1 · answered by littleangelfire81 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
No it's not ADHD...ADHD doesn't present with those symptoms to begin with. What he is going through are "night terrors" they happen to most toddlers between the years of 18 months and 4 years. He is not awake during these "sessions. The rest of the "problems" are typical toddler behavior known as "the terrible twos" ignore the tantrums and when he acts inappropriatly put him in time out.
2007-02-17 16:01:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
it isn't normal for him to wake up 'screaming.' almost every night, though the screaming temper tantrums can be pretty normal...fyi, don't give in on those, EVER, because they will only get worse if you do. as for the night stuff, he could have night terrors, which is not the same as bad dreams,,,though he could be having those too. he can't help waking up, so I hope no one scolds him for that. someone should talk to his pediatrician. I don't know if it is adhd, but don't be too quick to label him...and frankly, even if he is, you aren't doing him any favors to tell him and the world that...i mean, it is nothing to be ashamed of, but it should not be allowed to be an excuse for the child..even adhd kids can learn to control themselves and behave, it is just more difficult for them. be very leery of a doctor who immediately wants to put him on riddlin!!
2007-02-17 17:05:11 · answer #3 · answered by rainydaydreamr 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
it could be that but autism is more likely...there is a huge sepectrum of it...my neice has it...and that sounds like her. but its not the end of the world it just take alot more social work then most kids. and if he does have it..it would be best to have tests done now the early its found the easier it is for everyone to under stand and work with the child.
and at this age childern start worrin about the monster in the closet.. they have a hard time seeing the differance between fantasy and reality. and have bad dreams my daughter did this at about 3 and she'd scream and sometimes even fall outta bed. we are over that now.
2007-02-17 16:09:22 · answer #4 · answered by dragonwolf 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Could be or could be autism. Have a doctor check the child out to be sure. The waking at night could be night terrors which are fairly common. The other stuff sounds more like autism. I'd be having a professional check him out. Mom to 3.
2007-02-17 15:57:49 · answer #5 · answered by Melanie A 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The first thing that came to mind was Autism. He doesn't have the symptoms of ADHD. Do some reading on Autism on the Internet and see what you think. The site below is very good.
2007-02-17 16:48:41 · answer #6 · answered by Tenn Gal 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sounds like autism but should have been diagnosed by now- and there would be more obvious signs...
maybe the screaming is night terrors- my son had them but not every night!
he might just being going through the terrible twos a little late or trying to make a "name" for himself- lol.. kids start young at asserting their personalities and although this is normal.. it could get out of hand if not disciplined. I would talk to his parents about concerns you have and maybe they will take him to his ped. for a check up.
2007-02-17 16:04:00 · answer #7 · answered by Wild Honey 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
that doesn't sound like ADHD (which cannot be diagnosed in a child that young). that sounds a little more like autism, though without more info I couldn't say for sure. I would take him to the dr/mental health professional asap to make sure he is okay. (It could just be night terrors combined with personality, so don't worry too much, but do take him in)
2007-02-17 15:59:00 · answer #8 · answered by mountain_laurel1183 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I would definitely have it checked out,it could also be bipolar and the child could be having like halucinations during sleep and paranoia. I have a friend who is bipolar and she had these all the time when she was even a baby on on. The consistency is the part that bothers me,
2007-02-17 16:03:57 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It could be nightmares... I used to have them when I was young...3-4... I remember waking up screaming for my dad... I was also scared of the dark... so is my 19mth old... she wakes up screaming occasionally. Try a night light... it helped me and my daughter
2007-02-17 16:18:52 · answer #10 · answered by marymouse26 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋