Ok, part 2....my daughter is not autistic...read...?

Question

It's not like my daughter sits around hitting herself in the head all day long. She's incredibily smart for her age, very social, very talkitive, and very happy & energetic.

Just once in a while, she'll have a toy (whether it's soft or hard) and hits herself with it by accident, then does it again.

I only asked about it, to see if anyone else has ever had this. I asked in the PARENTING category, because I wanted PARENTS to answer, and help me out. Now just simple minded people who have no clue about kids.

She'll cry for a second when she finally hits herself hard enough.But like someone suggested, it's common in young ones and it usually means they're frustrated and wanting attention. But I was/AM planning on calling her doctor, just wanted to see what other parents had to say.

THANKS YOU GUYS....FOR GIVING ME ACTUAL ANSWERS AND NOT DUMB ONES.

Answer 1

This behavior is common among toddlers. They do it for attention, to sooth themselves, and other reasons as well. If you are worried that she may be, ask your doctor. Good luck.

Answer 2

It would be helpful to know how old your daughter is, but I'll try and give some advice without. My middle daughter did something like this, though it wasn't hitting herself she would fall off something then throw herself off it right after. I believe, though I have no proof this is just my observation, that she did because it was her way of finding out how sensation worked. You know like she felt it then wanted to find out why it was like that so she would try it again to see if it had the same effect every time. I wouldn't worry to much, I did bring my daughter to a doctor cause it freaked me out, she was my third and none of the others had done it, he told me she was probably just really curious and observant and was teaching herself. This might be true since you say shes really smart for her age, shes just learning why that happens.
If shes old enough I would talk to her, tell her that it will hurt every time, explain to her that doing the same thing has the same effect, or else she will eventually learn that herself probably stop.
My daughter was only one when she did this, the younger they are the more likely it is that its nothing to worry about.
Hope I've helped out some!

Answer 3

It really depends on how you react to your daughter hitting herself the first time. If you fuss over her when she does this, she might be doing it to get attention from you. She may be doing it out of frustration or just because it's a new sensation. It's not uncommon for babies and toddlers who are teething to bang their heads on walls and furniture and it's not terribly uncommon for a child to hit herself out of anger or frustration. It's equally likely she just wants to see what will happen.

Since she's only doing this once in a while and it's her only unusual behavior, I'd say you shouldn't worry about it. All kids do quirky things at some point.

Answer 4

Well, it doesn't sound like she is upset when she does it, but if so that could be a reason. (I've met ALOT of kids who get mad, and do this as a way of showing their emotions.)

Otherwise, she might just be curious about it. In the "preschool" I worked in, there were a few little ones who would do that. It's like they were trying to see what hurt, and what didn't. Sometimes after dropping a hard toy on themselves, they would get a soft one and hit themselves.

If it gets to be bad, or if you are worried, you can ask her pediatrition about it. I know there is an actual explanation behind kids doing that, but I'm not sure what they are.

Answer 5

This is very common in toddlers. My daughter will accidental hit herself with something and then purposely do it again. Some times she cries and sometimes she doesn't. My niece is 3 months older and she also does it. I think it's just a phase, or how they learn. Like "oh that hurt when it hit me, I'll see if it hurts if I do it again" something sort of like that. I really don't think you have anything to worry about.

Answer 6

As a parent of an autistic child, I understand that you wouldnt want anyone to start saying ignorant things about this, and I respect you coming out and asking.

I think your child is just flat out experimenting with action/reaction , she may be doing this to find out what kind of result she may obtain from doing this, be it outer, emotional, or any other reason we may not really understand from our perspective.

I think you should sit down with her and talk to her, and ask her why she does it, perhaps talk to her about other ways she could find out how to access these emotions and find a constructive outlet that may prove benificial to how she approaches life on a daily basis.

It seems from the way you say it, you are not reprimanding her about this, and that is a goof thing, but making sure she doesnt hurt herself is even better. She needs alot of love and attention and you showing concern for this in her eyes, will in itself open hers, maybe producing a result that may lead to it ending.

Just my two cents.

Answer 7

Frustration. That's what this sounds like, but it depends on what is going on in the environment around her when this occurs.

My friends little boy who is three, has this problem, he bangs his head. It sounds awful but you need to ignore it and don't focus on it at all. If this is too hard for you, divert her attention and focus on something else.

My little boy has ocasions where he hits himself with a toy, but it is usually beacuse the toy is not 'behaving'. This will sort itself out. Don't worry at all. Best wishes.

And yes, i also HATE it when folks answer a question they don't know the answer to, in order to get points! We are real people on here!! xx

Answer 8

Kids are little scientists. Does she do anything similiar with other things? Like pour water out of different recepticles when taking a bath, over and over, or poke at a tender spot when she gets hurt? She could just be cataloguing in her mind, "well this hurts a little and this hurts a lot". If she seems to be exploring her world a lot this way, take heart, maybe you have the next nobel prize winner in the making! ;)

Answer 9

My daughter will sometimes bump her head by accident then try it again on purpose. I think it is because I go up to her and ask if she is ok. She does it really lightly but she is giving me this mischieveous look the whole time. Kids do silly things. They are always experimenting and it's hard to tell what they are thinking sometimes.

Answer 10

I read Part 1 of your question and the best answer you chose was everything I was going to say. Maybe your daughter wants attention or to be rocked or is just experimenting with her surroundings and hasn't realized how strong she is. I would mention it to the pediatrician at your next visit. It's probably just a phase and she'll grow out of it. My husband was a headbanger according to his mom, my daughter wasn't.

Answer 11

the fact she is very social talkative and smart in many ways (not just on one focused area) then you have no worries about Autism. It may be she thinks it is funny, who knows. Unless it is a regular occurance don't stress