Behaviour worries

[Coffeeroasted]

Hi,

My 3.5 year old DD has a number of 'quirks' which alone are probably normal preschool behaviour but together I am beginning to worry there is something underlying the behaviour being displayed.

Firstly she was late to talk at 2.3 months, speech is improving in 8 word sentences now but some speech is unrecognisable to us. She was an early walker but always walks on tip toes (can walk flat foot if asked but uses her toes if not prompted).

My main concern is that she seems increasingly anxious/worries about what she believes are noises and noisy environments. She says it hurts her ears (hearing checked all ok), she will scream, cry and ask to go home. This can be anywhere from the shops, kids parties to out in the street if a motorbike goes past or someone talks loudly.

At home she will ask to leave the room if I even suggest getting the vacuum out or use a drill or lawn mower.

Her behaviour seems to be worsening, with behaviour at home deteriorating as well to "I hate you, I want daddy' if not doing exactly as she asked eg given green apple but wants a red apple ( I know that can be normal toddlerhood). She asks every morning what the plans of the day. I try and give as much detail and notice of things as possible so she is prepared.

She attends nursery several times a week who have no concerns highlighted. I suspect she is a bit under the radar there due to some very strong characters in her room.

I am concerned she may have underlying development issues, sensory issues or maybe autism. I want to make her life as easy as possible.


Thanks for reading, I am considering a doctor appointment but not sure I am worrying over nothing and wasting their time. Has anyone experienced anything similar? Or any strategies for us to try?

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

My DD was late to talk too so you have my sympathy. Has anyone suggested doing the Talking Point progress checker? It's useful to check how well she's doing for her age. My DD improved lots after a few SLT sessions and you can self refer in most areas.

As for the noise, could you get her some headphones for when you are out and about?

It might be worth talking to her key worker at Nursery too just to see if they have noticed anything.

[Coffeeroasted]

Thanks for your reply. Talking to nursery again is a good idea. I have tried the link and she seems ok according to their questions.

To add. She is also very fussy with food will try very limited foods, although we have had some success with getting her to prepare food with us. She is also fussy about clothing. States it's scratchy a lot of the time (it isn't to us). I really do worry something is wrong.

[JiltedJohnsJulie]

I think given everything you've said, it's definitely worth talking to her Keyworker and have a think about asking your GP for a referral for assessment.

[Confusedandworried321]

Hi OP.

I think given what you've said and the extent to how much it's limiting your DD's life (I'm assuming the noise thing is if she gets very distressed?) then I would definitely voice your concerns to your HV or GP. Don't let them fob you off if you're genuinely concerned.

For what it's worth my DS is a similar age (coming up to 3.8) and he developed a fear of loud noises over a year ago, around the age of 2.4-2.5. It lasted a good few months but he's been mostly over it for almost a year now. However it wasn't as extreme as your DD's by the sounds of it - he wouldn't cry or seem distressed, but he would cover his ears and tell us he didn't like the noise. He's still a bit fearful sometimes (hates hand dryers, wouldn't stay in the room if DH is using a drill) but quite often for him, it's the fear of the noise itself rather than the volume that bothers him. Eg we have gone into a public loo where the hand dryer is already on and he doesn't seem bothered. We've never had issues at parties, shops etc which I think would prompt me to seek help, if I was you.

[Coffeeroasted]

Thanks for your replies, had a better day today. We will defiantly be seeking advice from her nursery workers on Tuesday.