2.5 Year Old Behavior Changes

Don't stress girl! It is problably the ear infection causing her communication problems. IF she can't hear it is hard to know what is going on. Once you have that treated she would be her old self again. She does not know what is going on. I had those tubes places on my little girl and it worked. The adnoids and tonsils when they swell makes it hard to breath so maybe it would be better to remove them like the doctor said. You will see a change in her communication skills later!! Take Care! Good luck...Health is in action!

N.,
I would suggest you check her environment. While I know you work at her school, how often do you observe her class? My sister went through a similar behavior change when she was 3 and my parents found out that her teacher had been talking to the children the same way my sister did (Sit down, shut up, bad girl), etc.

Her behavior sounds violent, not ADD. ADD children are usually just easily distracted but not mean. SHe could be acting out because this is the only way she can get your attention to explain a problem going on in her life.

Another thing I will suggest is that you speak to her about appropriate and inappropriate touches. Children who have been "bothered" also experience a behavior change that is negative because they can't explain it anyway else. I know all this is scary to think of but when it comes to my children I beleive in better safe than sorry.

I have had children in my family who had tubes and tonsils/adnoids removed and never did they expereince a behavior change for the negative...rather the opposite occured. I hope this has been helpful!

The fact that she isn't feeling well may be contributing to her behavior but you can't blame the meds, because she was acting up before she started taking the meds. I personally think it's the age. My son is almost 2.5 and I have been going through the same thing. My once perfect little angel has taken me through the ringer emotionally with his sudden dislike for me. Some days he screams at me over everything, he hits, throws toys, knocks things off the table, and throws himself out in the floor in a fit of crying.

I finally got to where I was embarrassed and did not have the will to take him anywhere in public with me.

The past two days have been much better. We've reconnected and he is starting to listen to me again. And he hasn't been screaming nearly as much. I think at this age they are really testing their boundries, and figuring out how far they can push you to get what they want. I learned (from some wonderful advice on here) to pick my battles with him, and not be afraid to break the "rules" a little bit.

Your child is only 2.5, it is way to early to put a label on her, and why would you? The double ear infection seems to be the answer...Everyone always puts labels on kids when they change their behavior....Jumping and reaching for those labels, and all it does to a child is stunt them from growing to their full potential.....it would be an excuse that you give to yourself, your family and eventually her teachers for the dod and different things she does. As a special education teacher, I speak from experience as I see it daily. Labels are dangerous......Hope you understand where I am coming from!

My son always acts differently when he has an infection, whether its sinus or ear. I know that when he is taking a steroid like Orapred, he can act almost down-right psycho. I'm not exaggerating. You really cannot reason with him! :(

I think you've gotten some good advice so far. If you can rule out any medical reasons, you might want to look into her dayschool environment.

If all else fails, she might have just truly hit a bad batch of the terrible 2s. I would suggest reading The Strong-Willed Child by Dr James Dobson. He really knows his stuff!

Good luck!

I don't really know how much I can answer here. My son had tubes put in his ears at 9 months of age, and the change was just awesome. My son will also have to have his tonsils and adnoids removed, but not for a few more years. Question that with your DR. Tonsils prevent many illnesses. That is whay we are waiting till he is school age.

As for the behavior changes...has anything change in her environment? A move, death,a new addition to the family, anything. I lot of times their behavior will change if they have experienced change.

I hope this helps in some way.

J. mother of a 2 year old son

I think you're right in your decision N.. Ear infections can make a young one act very different than usual. I hope all is getting better!
LL

Hi N. N.
I also have a 2 yr. old boy whos behavior is also very simular
to what you have described. I have just completed a parenting
class online from tomball college, for 1-5 yrs olds.
It has greatly helped my understanding of my little one.
At there age, they are all about trying to have some control
of there own, but still to young to reason with.After the
age of three they are able to understand more, and to be
reasoned with.Supposely the tantrums start to stop..
Have patience,hang in there
M. C.

Hello N.,
My son just had his tonsils and adnoids removed b/c he had sleep apnea. It was the best thing we could of ever done for him. I highly recommend Dr. Khoa Tran. Do you have healthcare? If not, look @ my website www.deliveringonthepromise.com/40420383

Good luck,
J.

I went through the same thing with my daughter a few weeks ago as she was turning two. My parents had always told me about my sister's behavior problems as a child and how they later found out that it was related to food allergies and sugar. She went from being an angel to a difficult child in a little over a week so we didn't think it could be a food allergy or sugar. We decided to give it a try out of desperation. We took away ALL sugar and food containing red or yellow food dye and she was immediately a different child. Maybe the medicine that you're giving her is dyed red and she can't take the overdose of it. I know it sounds crazy but within one day my child was totally different and back to herself. We have now figured out that she cannot handle artifical fruit flavoring at all and when combined with sugar, she loses control. Now we just give her limited amounts of sugar and nothing containing fruit flavoring. It's crazy but it's worth the shot. Dont label her as ADD this early. It's so easy to label and child with it when times get a little hard but so many children are mislabeled and loose a big chance to be extroadinary because of that label.

before you go and have anything done you may want to try chiropractic for the ears and such. it sounds crazy but i have been taking my son to dr. santo here in tyler and he hasn't had an ear infection since. as far as the behavioral issues it may be a result of the antibiotics to some degree. they upset the stomach and make children feel bad. plus she has the other problems with the tonsils. it is entirely possible she is just unhappy because she doesn't feel well. hope this helps.

It sounds like her behavior changed about the same time she was having a fluid backup and subsequent infection. We too are dealing with the possibility of tubes and we see definite behavioral issues (our daughter will be 2 next month). Before we see an autism specialist (she has already been diagnosed with a speech delay), we are getting her hearing checked (fluid backup can cause hearing difficulties) as we have been told it could very well be the reason for her latest difficulties. She has had two severe, non-symptomatic infections in both ears in the past 4 months.

Hang in there--if your doc wants tubes, it's probably a good idea. I don't know about tonsils and adenoids removed this early, but they're all part of that system, so if it is helpful to do it now you may want to consider it.

Good luck!!

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