Kind of worried about Conner

Mom2Boyz wrote: Conner is really bad to throw horrible fits if he doesn't get what he wants. Well today at the WIC office he was running wild!!!! Going in rooms he wasn't suppose to go in and messing with things he shouldn't have been messing with. I got onto him twice, and the third time I picked him up and sat him on a chair and told him he was to sit there until he decided to behave. Of course he got up and started running around again, so I picked him up and sat him on my lap and just held him there. (It's the only way I can get him to sit still when he's done something wrong)
He then proceded to throw a HUGE temper tantrum that didn't end until we left the WIC office 45 minutes later
When they called us back for our appt. he was still screaming and kicking and having his fit, and the lady asked me if we'd had him tested for autism She said a good friend of hers little boy acted the same way, and turned out to have autism. I was really shocked when she asked me, but it got me thinking too. I did some reading online (I know, big no no) and he does have some of the "symptoms".
He barely talks at all. There are some words that he uses all the time, but not very many. Although he does TRY to talk all the time. You just can't make out what he is saying about 90% of the time.
Alot of times he won't even acknowledge you when you talk to him. There are times I could scream his name in his ear and you'd think he didn't even know I was there. But he could just be doing a really good job at ignoring me.
And the fits he throws are the worst!!!!! I have never ever seen a child throw a fit like he does.
I just don't know what to think. I'm 95% sure that he is just a stubborn, bull headed little boy who knows just how to push all of mommys buttons, but I still have to wonder. What do you guys think? Should I see about having him tested? Can they even diagnose it at 2 years old?
If you've made it this far thank you !!!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

CantWait replied: How old is Conner?? I would think he is to young for that kind of testing. People will always offer suggestions on what they think is wrong with your child without thinking of the obvious. And they always think of the worse. If he's around 3, I've heard that in some cases it is worse then the terrible 2's. He might have a simple problem as a hearing difficulty, I would get him tested for this first. Has he had a lot of ear infections as a baby? My friends little boy had the same problem and it really effected his speech. This might be causing a lot of fustration for him, thus causing his tantrums. Good Luck, but really I wouldn't be to concerned with it being anything serious.

Freckled Momma replied: He's probably just what you said, stubborn etc...BUT if you are concerned, I would ask your ped about it and get their views and recommendations.

PhiMuMommy replied: i would bring it up to his Pediatrician first.. symptoms for anything can be seen in almost everyone though.. esp mental diseases i have most symptoms of ADD but i'm not... i just get bored easily..lol. he probably is just being a stubborn child.. isn't he close to 2? i would bring your concerns up to the pedi and see what they say. IMO. best of luck whatever you do.. hope it's just stubborness!

luvmykids replied: It must be scary to think something like that could be going on, but I think you should definitely talk to your ped and go from there. My three year olds act like that a lot and they are not autistic! They do talk, etc. but hearing probs could be a simple alternative. Hang in there and keep us posted!

Mom2Boyz replied: He just turned 2 in November.
Caden has a dr appt tomorrow, and I'm going to ask their ped about it, and definatly get his hearing checked. LIke I said, I'm pretty sure it's nothing serious, but I would feel better hearing it from a dr. Guess I'm a big ole worry wart

CAMSMOM1 replied: Cameron can throw the BIGGEST fits. It's not only embarrassing when it happens, but it does concern me. Trust me, children....especially toddlers...have selective hearing! And the TERRIBLE TWOS are a nightmare! I highly doubt that Conner is autistic.
I have worked with several autistic children. First sign is they do not interact, or show love & affection towards others. Is your son sympathtic at all, or gives you hugs & kisses? Does he "attempt" to talk to you? Babbling is a GOOD sign that he doesn't have autism. Can he follow direction at home in a secure setting? Was he developmentally slow in other areas?
For your own peace of mind, get a second opionion. But like I said, I think Conner is just being a normal toddler that throws a fit when he's not getting his way.
Boys speech develops slower than girls. Does he say any words?



So true!!! I'm sure this woman hasn't seen a 2 year old child throw a tantrum before. Because any mother seeing Conner behave that way, would've understood what you were going through, and wouldn't have jumped to any conclusions, other than he's just being a 2 yr old.

I would get his hearing checked, since you said he doesn't hear you when you talk to him. Other than that, I don't think he has a problem.

Ann

Maddy'sMom replied: It always amazes me how people throw the word autism around, as if it's a common childhood ailment like an ear infection. Autism is serious, and is not so simple to detect that a stranger can tell you!

In all my research on autism for my degree, I never heard of "tantrums" being a "sign". I would NEVER think that if I saw a child of that age acting up, I would think to myself "been there, that sucks!" It's what kids do...and at age 2, it seems to be about ALL they do!

Some kids talk early, some kids talk late. My girl is 17 mos, and she does say a few words like mommy, daddy, bye bye...but most of her other conversation is a language only she understands! As long as your child is active, communicates his wishes, even though he doesn't use a lot of words...and is able to express what he wants/needs, you really have nothing to worry about.

Young inftants/toddlers that may be diagnosed with autism wouldn't be very active or social around others, no eye contact, no affection to parents or other children, even to dolls or stuffed animals, etc, not like to be held or comforted. You would pick up sure signs early on...no pleasure in being fed as an infant, cuddled, etc...arching their back when picked up, not smiling or making any eye contact with a parent...those kinds of things are very clearly identified.

It is crazy to assume something as serious as autism, simply becasue your son had a tantrum in public! Does that woman even have her own children?

Don't let it get to you....you will have many more days of tantrums to come, and you will get through them all!

A&A'smommy replied: I do NOT think he has autism, he is 2 that is his biggest "problem" its a difficult age full of exploring, learing and new emotions I would get his hearing checked JUST in case but more than likely he is just be a little boy!!

3_call_me_mama replied: Autism can be diagnosed very early in life and some of the behavipor that you have described is similar to that of an austic child.. does that mean he has autism.. no. It means taht terribel two behavior is also seen in several childhood dsisorders. I do not feel that it is appropriate for a WIC counselor to even suggest such a thing to you. If she had a concern she should have approached it in the manner of asking if he often behaves like that and then suggest to you that you might discuss possible reasons fo rhis behavior with his DR> most peopel that work at WIC are not DR"S some are dieticians and some are volunteers and others are jsut regular people. Some are also nurses. But they still arent' in any situatuoion to diagnose or even suggest that you child has signs of Autism. Furthermore If youlooked up almost ANY disease or disorder online I'm sure you could find peopl all over the world with behaviors and symptoms simialr to those that have teh diseases and disorders without even being CLOSE to having any of them!! HUGS and if you are worried check wiht teh DR.


PS cameron acts THE same way sometimes and I've had people tell me he's gifted! (His learnign is WAY beyond a normal 3 year old but they are passing a judgement based on one or two observances that theyhave witnessed!) So maybe it just a typical toddler/preschooler thing !!

Mom2Boyz replied: Thanks everyone for your replies

I talked to his ped today, and she assured me that there is NO WAY he is autistic. He is a very affectionate child, plays well with others and does communicate fairly well. (maybe I can't understand him, but he knows what he wants.) The more I talked to her the more I realized he is just a brat LOL I shouldn't have let what that lady said get to me like it did. We do have an appt next Wednesday to have his hearing checked though. I'm pretty sure his hearing is fine too, but I want to make sure.

CAMSMOM1 replied:

I'm glad you got to talk with his doctor, and I had a good feeling that she would say that! But all of us Mommies, have listened to "wrong advice" from others. But it's good that you know he's fine...even if he is a CRAZY TWO YEAR OLD! Oh boy, do I know what you are going through. It's good that you are getting his hearing checked, even if it's for peace of mind.

Thanks for the update, I have been thinking about you. Glad everything turned out fine. Let us know how the hearing test goes!

Ann

fashionmumofboys replied: Glad you got some positive answers at your Ped appt.

That lady should have not said anything to that affect. People should keep their comments to themselves, especially if they don't have kids of their own.