Stop the Squeeling

Non-verbal at 2 1/2 there is likely something else going on. Is he developmentally delayed in other areas? My autistic son used to have high pitched squeals and even now at almost 7 he is always humming or making some sort of noise.

Have 5 kids myself-amongst them a set of twin boys- age 18. lol You will suvive this. Just put the squeeler in time out EVERY time this happens. Make sure Mr. Squeeler sees the other son getting something he can't have because he's in time out. Repeatedly tell him that time out people don't get these special privileges. Now, does he want to keep squeeling?? If he's got even a little normal intelligence this will stop in about 1 and 1/2 to 2 weeks.

Is there any kind of language you can give him? I didn't know if there was a reason he was nonverbal at 2 1/2, but maybe sign language?

The best thing is diversion. If you draw attention to the squeeling, it won't help. Eventually, it will stop.

Good luck.

My twins just turned two, and they're squealing like crazy, I don't know what to do, either! I hope you find something that works for you, just wanted to let you know you're not alone!!

Use your inside voice around your brothers and me, or use your loud voice in your room where we cant hear you. Its your choice.

This was a tough one for me as well as my 2 year old would do this while I was driving in the car. When I would tell her to use her quiet voice she would just "not listen" and continue to squeel. Which was very annoying; plus we have a 1 year old that is sensitive to loud noises. Anyway, what finally worked for us was differentiating what a loud voice sounds like and quiet voice. I asked her to show me what each sounded like after demonstrating each for her - kind of as a game. That told me she understood. Also, when we were outside I would give her permission to use her outside voice to encourage her to have that excitement. Then when we walked inside I would instruct her to use her inside voice. The next time she squeeled inside our home, I aksed her to please use her quiet voice or inside voice because she is too loud and it hurts my ears. When she did it again, I gave her a warning that stated she would go to time-out if she did not listen again. Of course, she did not listen. So I put her in time-out for not listening; not because of the squeeling necessarily. She caught on pretty quickly and even started telling me that she needs to use a quiet voice b/c we are inside. My 2 year old really responds to time-out; hopefully, you find the same success. Good luck!

You might try teaching him a word that sounds similar to his squeeling like "wee" and make it a game of doing is either quietly, or low pitched. You could also try smiling while saying "shh" and teaching him a sign for happy words or to clap in sign language. Your options really vary based on your child's current abilities so it's hard for me to suggest much, but definitly don't "reward" the distressing noises by smiling and clapping along and definitly show him other ways to express his joy. It's very likely to pass in time. It seems like maybe he just needs to release the pent up exciment created by that happiness and since he can't say "Hooray for me" he is doing his next best option. Sign language clapping is a nice quiet way of releasing much of that energy.

Is there a place in the home he can squeel? Is he able to pick a place, maybe out of two choices, and that is where he goes when he is caught squeeling or when he wants to squeel.....make the choices in places that will reduce the headache for the other members of the family.

We did this with potty talk, although they were NOT given a choice of where to go, they have to go in the bathroom to use potty talk or are sent there if caught using potty talk....no anger or frustration just matter of fact, that is how it is, kind of thing...it has reduced the potty talk a great deal....not sure this will work for your situation but might.

Have you tried the strategy to encourage him to squeel for say two minutes.....to a point where he will not want to do it anymore???

That is all I can think of.....

Oh the squeeling! My son I swear is so much louder than my daughter. I don't know how to stop it all I know is that when my son starts it (he is almost 2 1/2) I tell him to please stop. I remind him that it really hurts our ears and if he want to continue he will need to go outside. Usually he will say sorry mommy and stop, but we go through this just about everyday. With any luck they will catch on soon.

My 5 year old started at age 2 squeeling.....and he's still doing it! We've tried time out, sending him to his room, taking toys away and even threatening to put soap in his mouth. Nothing has worked, apparently it's just another way of expressing himself. Hopefully it will stop soon so the rest of the household can stop covering our ears when he gets excited!