Video...11 month old fit | Autism PDD
I'm not a Mom, just an Aunt who's trying to become as informed as possible.
Some of the sites that I've been reading say that getting yeast overgrowth under control helped with the head banging (along with some other behaviors).
Not sure if you want to investigate yeast as a potential problem.
Good luck!
My son did exactly this when he had ear infections. He didn't stop until he got tubes in his ears. I think something is medically wrong with him, especially if he is avoiding baths. My ds did the same for that as well.
I'd bring in the video tape to show the pediatrician, so they take you seriously and find a solution quick. I spent too much time with their wait and see attitude. Your child obviosly needs relief!
Such a cutie.
He has an appointment on Tuesday with a new pediatrian. Hopefully we can get some answers, and I pray it is something easily treated like reflux. Thanks so much everyone. I do feel better knowing that his playing is a good sign.
Amber
We just moved to the area so I am still waiting on my insurance to get everything switched. My hubby is in the Army, deployed now, and Tricare is taking forever. I am calling them in a few minutes.
He had an EEG done when he was 4.5 months old. He had a seizure a week before that. It was done while he was sleeping, for 20 minutes and came back normal. They said it was from his fever. He had the flu and an ear infection at the time of the seizure. 45 mins. before he had a temp of 104.3. We gave him motrin and started nursing. He pulled off the breast, eyes rolled back, and he started shaking. It only last around 10 seconds. THat happened 3 times with around 30 secs. inbetween. I didn't think to check his temp. after it happened. When we gfot to the ER his temp was noraml. They said it didn't sound like the normal seizure that is caused by a fever, but since his EEG was ok that is what they labeled it. If he was having seizures wouldn't it have shown up then? Also, wouldn't he be shaking?
I am going to feel really bad if it is his Reflux all this time. With Autism in the news so much I am going to feel crappy if I ignored something like that. Hopefully my insurance has everything ready for me to start making appts. I really wish he could see his prev. ped. He was wonderful and never once made me feel stupid. He had a close relationship with Logan. Even he said Logan was a difficult baby!
Will let you all know what the insurance says.
Amber
When I give him a truck he puts it in his mouth. But, I can give him a recorder( the music instrument) and he blows it. He LOVES to do that. He points some. He used to point all the time then stopped. I have been working with him on it and he has started doing it some again.
I am taking him on Tuesday to see the doctor. Hopefully they will figure something out. I just want to have a happy baby. One that doesn't lose it and one that doesn't cry all the time. I am so worn out from caring for him 24/7. I just feel like something is wrong. What? I don't know, but I want to find out.
Amber
It's not the behavior that worries me it is the durration. 27 minutes of that is excessive for an 11 month old.
If he were having seizures an EEG would only show them if he had a seizure at the time of the procedure. Also many seizures do not involve shaking and some involve dramatic behavioral changes.
Does he play at all? Does he have any skills like if you give him a truck and say ZOOOM will he mimic you? Does he point?
Just things to keep in mind I really think you need a medical and dev eval done.
My son had similar "fits" accompanied by headbanging (he banged his head backwards though or into the fireplace or couch) starting around 12 months of age. He also had a terrible time teething and used to bang his teeth up against table corners. Very scary and exhausting. I recommend seeing a developmental ped. And definitely bring the video. Good luck.I don't mean to be demeaning, but alot of kids throw tantrums---NT or not. I actually would hold my breath and pass out myself. One of my kids---NT----would throw such a fit that she would break all the capillaries in her face from screaming so hard. Her face would have little tiny red dots everywhere that would last a week. My NT kids would bang their heads--once in a while. My HFA kid never did.
But..........the amount of time that your childs tantrum lastest seems alittle long for being so young. My HFA son had his first tantrum at 10 mo. It was incredibly intense, but very short-lived.
Has your child already been dx'd? Or are there other signs you are seeing?
This video almost brought me to tears, for you and your son. You don't mention what took place before this but my first instinct in watching it was that he was in some kind of pain, maybe teething or otherwise.
I agree with other posters, the headbanging is something to be looked into further.
OOOHHH he's MAAADDD!!! He's adorable
. I don't know. It's hard to say at this age. He is definitely frustrated, and knows it. What would happen if during one of these episodes if you distracted him by putting him in a bath? Water is very calming. If they're "crabby" put them in water
. It could be teething, too. I noticed he was putting his hands in his mouth a lot.
One thing I noticed as a positive is that he reached up to be lifted by you.
If it's really concerning, best bet is to go with your gut, and bring it up to your doctor. Maybe he can send you for an eval.
Best of luck
He hates taking a bath more than anything. Screams the whole time he is in there! He always hits himself in the mouth when he is mad. Right now he has four teeth.
Amber
hmmmmm, something is definitely bothering him. Is this a sudden onset, or was he a fussy baby, too?How about some soothing music? I wish I knew him a little better to give you some ideas. I'm gonna throw some out there, because my daughter (17 now), was the champion screamer in our neighborhood
.1. Sitting with him on an exercise ball, and bouncing softly to soothing music. (I love Raffi for young kids)
2. Giving him a frozen washcloth to chew on (wet it and put in freezer for a little while).
3. Put the vacuum on (it sounds crazy, but it works for some kids)
4. Dance with him ( i know you said he arches his back when he's like this, but at that point, he is so agitated he may not respond). Maybe you could dance when the tantrum hasn't hit "full force" yet.
5. Take him outside for fresh air, or a ride (sometimes a change in scenery helps)
6. Put him in his crib with some soft music.
I feel bad. It's so hard when they reach that point. I hope some of those ideas help. Maybe some other posters will give you some pointers, too.
hang in there
nakama
I fianlly got one of the videos to upload. This went on for 27 minutes. If I picked him up he arched his back, hit me, etc. I have another one where is he rocking inbetween banging his head. This time he left small bruises on his head. I actually had to lightly swaddle his arms earlier today to keep him from hitting himself. Please tell me this is nothing to worry about.
Also, I have a question about playing. I am looking at all the good things Logan does and I think this is one. He will bring me a toy, but he doesn't want to play with it. He wants to pass it back and forth. He hands it to me and then waits for me to hand it back. He does this a lot. That is a good thing right?
OK...here is the video.
Thanks! Amber
He has always been difficult. He has been banging his head for a few weeks now and it seems to be happening more every day. He has already had 3 "fits" today.It is also getting worse. He actually has bruises on his head. I am always so scared in the bathroom since it is tile floor. He does want me to pick him up, but when I do he continues with banging his head on me or hitting himself in the mouth. He has hit himself so hard that he has made himself bleed. I haven;t found something that really calms him down yet.
This is not the only thing that scares me. I wrote a post the other day about him called 11 month old with disturbing behavior.
Amber
I am not sure what you wrote in the other post. But if he is hurting himself , maybe you need to get him evaluated until you get some answers.He was dx with reflux when he was little. He was on Reglan andZanatc. They never did any tests, just from the symptoms. he would empty his tummy every day. He doesn't throw up anymore though. We took him off meds at 6 months.Logan sure is a cutie! The fact that he reaches up to you and wants to play with you by passing a toy back and forth are good things.
Regarding the head banging, I would check out whether he might have an ear infection or if he's teething. I would also encourage him to push his head into a pillow so he doesn't hurt himself.
Good luck!
Hi again,I know how worried you are
. Talk to his pediatrician. He may have something going on, or be in pain, and can't express it. You could even show him the video, and get his/her ideas on it. If you are not comfortable with your doctor's perception or opinion, don't be afraid to PUSH him to refer you to a specialist for an evaluation, whomever that might be.You are his mom, and know him better than anyone. Keep pushing till you get the answers you are looking for.
nakama
I think you should make an appoinment with early intervention. The head
banging disturbs me. There is definitely something going on--I have no
idea what, but you are being a great mommy,looking for answers.
If he has missed any of his milestones, bring it up. If not, report only on
his problematic behaviors, and show them the videos when they come for
an eval. Show them his reactions to bathing and whatever else you think
is difficult behavior. list all his red flags.
At the very least, you should be directed toward some behavioral support.
But, I would push for services feom EI. GOOD LUCK, and keep us posted.
PS, it's unlikely they would diagnose a child at 11 mo., but they can help
you find answers and interventions.
Have you made an appointment with a developmental pediatrician? That
would be a great place to start for a private assesment. They can screen
for many different disorders and conditions that may be affecting his
behavior. And they can also write up a very thorough report for you that
will be handy and important to give them when you have your eval with
Early Intervention.
Hope you get the help you need!
I agree with MaMaKat, with one other possibility - along with the developmental pediatrician, have him checked out by an allergist for possible food allergies.
Although my son didn't present any physical symptoms (rashes, swelling, etc.), it turns out he did present behavioral symptoms. After we learned he was highly allergic to tomatoes and removed it from his diet (in any form - pizza sauce, spaghetti, ketchup, etc., even dried tomatoes seasonings used in Hamburger Helper), his frustration/anger behavior and headbanging decreased by well over 50%.
Certainly something to consider, but trust your gut if you feel something is wrong.
I would have him checked out to see if he may need the reflux medicine. Also have him seen by a neurologist to be checked for seziures. SOMETHING is wrong that's for sure. I would try to rule out anything medical. That was very painful to watch.My NT dd was like that. screamed non-stop. She is four and still loud! Iwas exhausted but I never had the feeling that anything was truely wrong.
My asd son was an engaged happy baby and toddler. Easy and sweet. But
from time to time I would just get the feeling that something was off but
could not put my finger on it.
Looking at the video I really can't tell but if you keep having a feeling like
something does not connect right you should investigate for sure.My HFA daughter was like that as a baby/toddler, it started around 8 months. She banged her head so much that I was afraid to take her out of the house because of all the bruises on her head. :(
If your gut is telling you something is wrong you should definitely get an evaluation done. Good luck. BTW, your little guy is terribly cute! :)
Oh, I forgot to add that when my daughter would have a fit she did not want me to comfort her even when she was self injuring. Please let us know how his appointment goes!
I hope you are able to get some answers.
I was also going to ask what took place before that episode? Did he just start a fit for no good reason, or did somethign set him off? IMO- he looks more like he is in pain that tantruming. My almost 2 yo does this when he is angry or tired. he looks liek he is tensing up in pain. Poor little guy. it's so disturbing to watch him bang his head like that
One thing that I was glad to see is that he reached for you to comfort him. That's a big plus.
The headbanging was hard to watch. But what happened to him before or what he wanted to start this temper tantrum he had for 30 min?
I know some kids get seizures. So it will be good to show this video to his ped. and try to get him evaluated.
Head banging is a rhythmic motor activity that may occur in normal infants and young children, as well as in children with underlying psychiatric or neurologic disease. Once underlying pathology has been excluded, parents should be reassured about the benign nature of the activity.
Head banging and other repetitive, rhythmic motor activities, such as head rolling and body rocking, may occur in normal infants and young children. The apparent absorption and intensity with which the child engages in these activities may cause parents to suspect that their child is mentally or physically abnormal.
Family members and neighbors of children who bang their heads are of ten quite disturbed by the activity and the noise it generates. If head banging occurs in conjunction with significant body rocking, the movement can be violent.
The reason that certain children become head bangers and others don't isn't known. Some studies have found an increased incidence of dyslexia in relatives of head bangers. There is a long list of possible associations, but none have been proven to be significant.
One study followed 50 head bangers to age eight. Only three continued this behavior. As a group there were no differences in attention span, clumsiness, reading skills, or incidence of sleep walking when compared to other children.
There are two treatment approaches commonly used. The first, active intervention, tries to stop the behavior, while passive intervention tries to accomodate the behavior.
Active intervention may include increased parent-child interactions, giving the rhythmic movements meaning by using music, dance, or other movements. In more severe cases, sedative medications have been used.
It did look like pain to me. He wants tobe comforted by you at the end of the video even. What about migrains? good luck!Copyright Autism-PDD.net