I Think We Need to Start Padding the Walls...

Updated on February 18, 2010
A.E. asks from Saint Paul, MN
4 answers

Hi, friends,

Please tell me if you or someone you know has ever experienced something similar: Our 2 1/2-year-old is generally a very happy, easy-going boy. But he periodically throws unprovoked fits that include banging his head (on the floor or hard surfaces), screaming, thrashing, kicking, and hitting whoever is nearby. He did this for a couple of weeks in late Nov/early Dec, but then seemed to grow out of the phase. Then he came down with a nasty cold/ear infection in January, and the unsettling behavior resumed. If he weren't so violent and/or if I could pinpoint the trigger(s), I would chalk it up as standard toddler tantrum, and I could handle it. But I'm at a loss when he goes from 0-60 seemingly out of nowhere and nothing I do seems to help. If I try to hold him, he pushes me away; if I walk away for a few minutes to let him work it out on his own, he could potentially really hurt himself. I know part of the problem is his frustration with being unable to verbalize his feelings (he knows a lot of words, but doesn't really say things like "I'm hungry" or "I'm tired" or "I'm mad"). Has anyone else ever dealt with this before? What strategies were successful for you?

What can I do next?

  • Add yourAnswer own comment
  • Ask your own question Add Question
  • Join the Mamapedia community Mamapedia
  • as inappropriate
  • this with your friends

More Answers

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

K.D.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest son (now 11 ) also did this when he was about 3. He would get so mad he would run into things, scream, he would also bang his head and run into the wall at full speed. (sometimes this would last for 30-45 minutes) My husband and I were at a lose, you never knew what would set him off. We took him to the doctor, they found nothing, we took him to a counsclor, that didn't help either.
What we found, was he was a really smart kid (He's a GT Kid) that was having a hard time communicating, and he got really frustrated because he couldn't explain what was going on. So we changed our wording, Like I bet your really mad right now. I know it's hard, but the calmer you are, it helps, We also became very consistant in our actions, when he was in trouble, he would be punished everytime, when he was good, always praise, how Good he is behaving. It took us about 2 months, of constant work. He finally got out of it. Ever so often. He would have to get a check on his anger. But he's 11 now, and a really great kid. So hang in there their is hope.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

You could try teaching him some basic sign language to express his wants/needs better. Good luck!

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

G.

answers from Minneapolis on

I agree with Denise on the sign language- I went to a class for my daughter when she was an infant(who is now 6) boy it sure helped her to express herself.

Smallavatar-fefd015f3e6a23a79637b7ec8e9ddaa6

J.M.

answers from Minneapolis on

I hate to say this but I having been dealing with this since my almost 11 year old was 4. We are now seeing a phsychiatris. I would start by trying to talk to him or seeing his regular dr. and then go from there. If you want to talk you can email me.
Hope things get better.
J.

For Updates and Special Promotions
Follow Us

Related Questions