Please or to access all these features

Behaviour/development

Talk to others about child development and behaviour stages here. You can find more information on our development calendar.

Head banging speech delay

1 reply

apric0t · 07/11/2023 08:59

DS is 2.5 and has developmental delay. Currently awaiting meeting with the SENCO at the nursery he started at in September also with the HV who just did his 2.5yr check which he failed, he's delayed in every area. We have a diagnosis of hypotonia from the paediatrician and he was tested for chromosomal abnormalities but got the all clear.

He's generally a lovely happy cuddly smiley boy, just like a big baby really.

He doesn't say anything yet so has speech delay but it's also really understanding delay as he doesn't understand basic commands, doesn't communicate in other ways really, although sometimes he shakes his head if he doesn't want something and I have taught him to sign for yogurt after dinner that's it.

Anyway when gets frustrated that's he's unable to communicate he bangs his head, in the floor on the walls, picks stuff up and bangs it into his head. Bangs his head on his cot, he's got a bruise on his forehead more often than not. He also throws toys and has recently started biting me and my DD.

I find it distressing, they are hard head bangs and sometimes on the tiled floor in the kitchen for example. But I'm not sure what I can do for him, he doesn't seem close to speaking and really we don't understand each other at all. When he's upset there is never affirmative communication from him to tell me what he does want he just wanders round in a rage.

How do other parents cope with this kind of behaviour? I feel it's all very pointless trying to communicate with him as his progress is at a snails pace. I repeat myself day in day out and he just doesn't seem to grasp anything I'm saying.

OP posts:
Nelly44 · 07/11/2023 23:15

I'm not really sure but you've definitely got the right people lined up to support you. Try to remember his head banging is his way of communicating.. and probably communicating his distress. When you see him doing it if you feel able say to him, I can see you're upset mummy is going to move you somewhere softer and safer. He won't respond but it's helpful to narrate to him what you're doing.

Could you teach him a little bit of sign language. My 2 year old would usually tell me when he's hungry, thirsty, tired and wants a cuddle. Maybe try a few signs and see if he can grasp them.

New posts on this thread. Refresh page