Unusual behaviour

[moonshadow]

I wonder if some of you young Mums could help me. I visited my niece over the weekend and thought some of her little boys behaviour a bit odd. A couple of times in the two hours I was there he started rocking back and forward aggressively pushing his back into the sofa cushion and bouncing off ,this carried on for at least three minutes and he was oblivious to anything said to him. Then when he gets excited he rotates his wrists and shudders.He is only just crawling at 16 months but is otherwise quite bright. At what age do they have a development assessment? I would be very grateful for any comments or advice, as I am really worried.

[Psychick]

As it is often said, all children develope at different rates. But if he was my child, I would be worried and talk to his doctor or the health visitor about it.
Can you give an example of when he started to rock back and forth....was there a trigger?
How is his communication? Obviously he wont be saying much at this age, by can he let his mum know when he wants something and what he wants, and how does he repsond when he gets.....ie....does he smile as if to say yes that its, thank you?

[Hellyon]

Is he her first/only child? The reason I ask is that often with a first child the parents do not know what is and isn't usual behaviour and it's really difficult to know what to do for the best. A friend of mine's son definititely behaved oddly but I didn't say anything as I didn't know how to broach the subject. It was picked up when he started school and it turned out he was within the autismn spectrum.
As it's your niece could you talk to her parents?

[moonshadow]

The rocking started as soon as he could sit up and his parents thought it was just baby behaviour so didn't stop him.He is their only child.My niece would be devastated if anything was wrong and I can't bring myself to be the one to suggest there is, that is why I have come on here hoping someone can help .He does respond when you give him things and does smile and wave when you leave.But if you try to take something off him he screams and then holds his breath finally sobs and the tears stream down his cheeks, obviously distressed. Is this normal for his age?
Sorry I didn't reply straight away, I'm not receiving e-mail notification for answers.

[Psychick]

It is difficult at this age to say what is normal and what is as every child is different. Getting himslef into a state when you take something away is normal I would say (speaking from experience with my daughter).
Is there any mother and toddler groups your neice could/does take him to? Maybe if she could see how he was with other children, and see the differences in childrens behaviours, then she could pick up herself if there may be something wrong. You could even go along too and see what you think.

[moonshadow]

Thanks for that suggestion psychick, she doesn't have much contact with other mothers as she works, but I will suggest that we go to a playgroup on one of her days off.

[Psychick]

Hope it helps :)

Let us know how it all goes!

[moonshadow]

Yes I will and thanks again.

[tigwig]

Hi don't mean to frighten you but this sounds like it could be autism. I would suggest tactfully to your niece that she contacts her health visitor

[Psychick]

Have to admit tigwig, thats my thoughts too.

moonshadow if he does get diagnosed with having some form of autism, keep reminding your niece it really isnt the end of the world. My neice is autistic and she leads a normal and happy life, she may have a young mental age for a 15 yr old, but she still acts like a teenanger! lol
I also work in a primary school and we do have a few autistic children who are happy and do well in a normal school environment. My point is, having autism isnt as bad as some people think. Autistic children are still able to go to mainstream school and have the same lifestyles that they would have if they didnt have autism.
Obviously we could be totally wrong and my fingers are aching for nothing :) lol

[moonshadow]

Thanks tigwig and psychick I had been thinking the very same thing but needed to hear another persons opinion.I still think we will try the mother and toddler group and that may give us a clearer picture when we see how he interacts with the other children.Will keep you posted.

[Le Chat]

I have known a couple of babies who, when in a highchair and excited about being fed, held their arms out to each side and rotated their wrists. They are both over 10 now and very normal!
My eldest son (near 11 yrs) used to(as a toddler) continually run up and down the room, launching himself onto the sofa! (He too is normal!) He also, when in his cot as a baby, used to stick his bottom up in the air and bang his head in the corner, as an aid to sleep.
I never thought anything of his weird goings on as I just knew he was fine (he did lots of other peculiar things too!) You must feel that there is something wrong in other ways too, for you to be so concerned. Or maybe you just have 'that feeling' that all is not well here.

[spanner7853]

my brother used to bounce off the sofa cushions like that, I thought it was really funny (im 12 years older than him) he soon grew out of it, it was his way of winding down when he was tired. He's pretty normal now though. I wouldn't worry.

[moonshadow]

Thanks Le Chat and Spanner for your reassurance it's given me hope, but only time will tell.

[annie0000]

My neice - a very normal 7 year old - does that wrist twisting shuddering thing when she is excited. Overall, I think it is very difficult to say what is normal and what isn't - I think that we could probably diagnose everyone with something on a mild scale! If his behaviour is not causing him or any one else any difficulties at this stage, I am not sure if there is any benefit in trying to get a diagnosis - personally, I would wait and see. I am not an expert in any way, but I don't know if early intervention (if there is anything wrong)makes any difference, perhaps someone with more experience or knowledge might know differently. I would think that if anything, being treated as normal and having normal interactions with everyone is probably of more benefit than having people react differently to him because he has a label.

I hope that , as with most things, increased socialisation and activity will make any differences disappear.

[happyjo]

My friends little boy acts in a very similar way.. he is three and just be diagnosed with border line aspergers/autism

He is receiving excellent care from the pct and other initiatives

If your neice works, who looks after him? if it's a nursery, then it may be worth your neice asking their opinion.

XXX