Hello moms,
My 19 month old son is just getting over tonsillitis. He had a really high fever for 4 days and after 3 days of doctor visits, decided he had tonsilitis and went on amoxil.
He is mostly better now, probably has 3 days of antibiotics left but he is still doing some strange things. For example, when he's tired he drags his pacifier through his hair (pulling a bit out at the same time) and then sticks it back in his mouth. Sometimes he wakes up with a fair bit of hair all over the place.
He also very gently puts one hand over his ear, as if to make sure it is still there. He doesn't necessarily do this at noises, it is really like he is checking the ear is there. The doctor had said my son had a very red ear during one of our visits (they even thought he had an ear infection) so I'm not sure if it is related to his ears popping or itching, etc.
One other thing I will add is that I am pretty sure he is getting a molar (or more).
I won't go on and on, I know you are not doctors but I just wondered if you ladies thought any of this was strange, or if it is explainable from him being sick? Other than these things, he is a happy, playful, alert toddler. I am just so worried about him possibly having a mild form of autism that I can hardly function. Our doctor seems to think he is fine but I'm not even sure about the next step to take. We don't have early intervention in Australia.
*** UPDATED TO ADD:
Thank you so far for all your down-to-earth advice. He has been exhibiting a few new behaviours such as putting his head down on the floor for no apparent reason and also crying if another child so much as looks at him the wrong way. A bit sensitive you could say.
As far as limiting his diet, he has stopped eating most of the things he used to, such as his pureed fruits and veggies. He mostly will only eat ham and other pieces of meat, crackers, yogurt and some cheese.
I can see what you are saying, "Why did you automatically jump to autism?" It started with my MIL asked if I thought my son had it after I told her about the hair pulling. Then I Googled it my head was filled with terrifying thoughts and what-ifs. So that's why I had to ask all of you to tell me how it is. Thanks for your support moms!
i agree with Ina. toddlers are strange little people! and i think that's what makes watching them grow up so special and FUNNY! and you ain't seen nothing yet! lol good luck
Hi A.,
I know a lot of kids or pull or twirl their hair when tired. I think it becomes a comfort for them. Also, if your son had a red ear and molars coming in he might be holding on to his ear in pain. That is how I know when my daughter has an ear infection. She pulls on her ear when she is asleep. Being a mother, it is hard not to worry, but I would let him get well and then see how he is. Good luck.
He is still a baby. Parents like to jump to some conclusions about Autism or some other disability so soon. If he is cutting teeth then all of this seems very normal. They have a really hard time with molars. He is probably running his hands through his hair for comfort. Babies don't care is the pacifier is covered in hair. Be sure to give him lots of hugs and love. He is probably touching his ears because they tingle when getting the pressure. When babies are teething it can make them have a totally different personality. Don't be so worried (I know it can be scary) but babies are pretty durable. You might think about getting him some kid probiotics after he is through with the antibiotics. You can pick them up at the health food store. Kisses to you both!! You are a great mother and he is a great son!!
I'm not sure any of this points to autism. It does sound like he may be starting trichotillmania (I didn't spell it right. It's when a child pulls their hair (and sometimes puts it in their mouth) to self-soothe. My daughter did this in conjunction with thumb sucking. She is on the autism spectrum, but I don't think one necessarily has anything to do with the other. You want to try and break this habit. My daughter used to pull out half her head of hair. It was terrible. The longer you wait, the tougher habit it is to break. It sounds like he might have started doing this since he wasn't feeling well, and it helped him to feel better.
Try to find something comforting, like a blankie, that he could use instead. Look for something with long fringe that he can use to play with. Encourage him to use this to comfort. Don't say "no" when he pulls his hair, but do reinforce when he uses something else.
Good luck!
C.
www.littlebitquirky.blogspot.com
A.,
Nothing in your post raises any autism flags at all. The molar coming in could cause a funny sensation in his ear, and the pacifier thing is odd, but not autistic like. I don't understand what the illness has to do with the pacifier, did he start this after being on anti biotics? If you think that he is using the paci to pull his hair out, there is a condition where people compulsively pull out their hair, but it is not an autistic disorder, although some people with autism may also have it (they may also have blue eyes!)
Unless you have many other things that you don't list in your post, I don't think you should be sick with worry.
M.
Nothing in your post really indicates Autism. Have you seen anything else that leads you to believe this is a possibility? Lots of babies stroke their hair when tired or trying to sleep, although pulling out hair is a specific form of self-soothing that you may need to address. A molar coming in would be a perfectly good reason why your son might have an earache (teething can often cause earaches, and since your son was already sick, his ear might be overly sensitive). Autism is usually a social disorder that also may interfere with communication - does your son make good eye contact? Does he want to be with you, to be held sometimes, and to interact with you? Is he verbally on track? If so, then I suspect you are looking for something wrong, and it isn't healthy. While there is a high percentage of boys with autism, most children are still not on the spectrum. If the answer to these questions is no, then you might want to speak to another doctor for a second opinion and check out http://www.autismspeaks.org/whatisit/learnsigns.php Don't look for problems that don't exist, but go with your gut instinct. If you aren't confident in your doctor, find another one. Good luck.
With the hair thing, I agree, it may just be he likes the feel of it. I would keep an eye on it...but it sounds like a boredom thing...I'm not well versed in autism though....
It could just be a self soothing thing too...my son goes through times of loosing his hair....or it seems like it, but he, like his dad, likes to have his hair played with....or just massage his scalp....one other thing is that your son could be getting headaches with the antibiotics....sometimes they make you dehydrated, and that could give you a headache...I've had my son on motrin for no other reason than he was just being fussy....it helps!!
With the red ear, it is more than likely he is teething. My son pulled extensively at his ears...thought on many occasions, he had ear infection (I had plenty as a kid)...but no....just teething.
At 19 months, try and give him things that he can chew on...like advanced teething rings.... or frozen fruit cut up....or even the teething rings with the liquid in them, refridgerate them....my son loved them when he was teething....
And in the end, if you don't like your doctor's answers, get another opinion!! Moms ALWAYS know when something is wrong with their child.....
Good luck!!
Can't say for sure that nothing is wrong, but everything you describe could be within the range of "normal," especially if he's recently been so sick.
If his incoming molar is on the same side as the ear, the ear-touching could be related. Or the ear is still not feeling completely normal, perhaps hot or itchy, and he's checking it out or comforting himself. Sounds could be different, too, if there's some fluid or pressure, and he could be experimenting with that.
He may have started playing with his hair while he was feeling really uncomfortable, and found it to be soothing. I have learned to play with my hair, scratch my scalp gently, or squeeze and pull my ears when I'm not feeling well. Turns out it's not only comforting, but it stimulates acupuncture points and can actually relieve some symptoms. You might mess with his hair a bit and see how he responds. Light pulls, strokes, nails on the scalp. It could make the little guy bliss out.
I have heard of kids behaving oddly for a few days after high fevers, and gradually returning to their usual selves. If he's still seeming odd to you a week from now, it wouldn't hurt to have the docs check him again.
Kids that age get the weirdest habits. I think before you start worrying yourself sick, wait until his illness has passed and see how it develops. Speak to your pediatrician if you have more concerns as well, but wait until your child it healthy again before having any evals done.
As for the binky... I have cousin who would rub his nose with his binky until it was raw. Seriously, hours on end... also a bit on the shy side BTW.
Of course in the 80's not every child that was a bit shy and had a strange habit was diagnosed with Aspergers or what not and he grew into a perfectly normal adult, college degree, never a problem in school, who is about to start a family, now in his early 30ties.
He never received any kind of intervention, though I am sure by today's standards he would fit on some point in the spectrum.
Personally I think we have gone a little overboard with trying to find a "diagnosis" for every little difference in people.
Good luck!
Hi there - my son is just about 13 months old. He has been going through a stage where he tries to put hair (or anything else he can get his hands on!) in his mouth. I think he just likes the feel of it - as gross as it sounds to us. I also worry about autism because boys have a higher rate, etc. but as moms we just have to do our best. Talk to your doctor, if you don't feel comfortable with his/her response, seek a second opinion. If something doesn't sit right - listen to your gut.
Take care!
Well I have 2 step sons with autism so its always in the forefront of my mind when I hear of instances like this. If he is still interacting, making eye contact and responding as normal perhaps he is just sick. You may want to keep a journal of what you are noticing and what he is eating. Cut out dairy and sugars and see if his behaviors change. Some children with austism react to these things and start acting out. I pray your baby is ok and I pray that you can find peace of mind. Are there any other unusual behaviors and how long have you noticed them?
