3 yr old and social and emotional difficulties

9 replies

Cookiecrumblepie · 23/04/2022 21:24

My 3 year old has volatile emotions and is much more on edge than other children. He can’t cope and has crying breakdowns at birthday parties or when there are loud noises or lots of other children around. He does settle after time, but really seems to struggle with transitions and groups.

He can also be quite rude to other children, telling them no and ignoring them.

Has anyone experienced something similar with their children? I wonder if he will grow out of it a little as he gets older, or whether it might just be part of his personality. His nursery has noticed and have said it’s not autism, but that he is slightly different from other children emotionally and socially.

OP posts:

ofwarren · 23/04/2022 21:29

What reasons do they give for it not being autism?

Giraffesandbottoms · 23/04/2022 21:32

Are nursery “allowed” to say it’s not autism? I’m pretty sure they aren’t supposed to make diagnostic comments

switswoo81 · 23/04/2022 21:33

Nursery are not qualified to make that assessment ( neither am I so I would never call it). While they have experience of children that age if you have met one child with autism you have met one child with autism and every child is different.
Speak to your phn about any behavior's of concern and they can help

NrlySp · 23/04/2022 21:34

My youngest really hated parties. So we stopped taking him. When it was his party we did something very low key with 1-2 friends. An activity that was structured, that he liked.
Best to see your GP for an referral/assessment if you are concerned he may have additional needs.
DS was also awful at playmates. As a teen now he is very particular about who he will hang out with. He is more introverted. It’s ok.

Itsallaboutthebenjamins · 23/04/2022 21:34

In my experience most kids are like this on and off. Kids are weird and have insane emotions that are completely not in their control. I wouldnt go searching for a diagnosis and a reason etc at age 3 personally unless there are lots of other issues. People are so quick to look for a label sometimes and its not needed.

Original poster

Cookiecrumblepie · 23/04/2022 21:42

I should clarify, nursery had their senco monitor him and her conclusion was he isn’t a child she would refer for further assessment at this stage, and she didn’t think he was clearly autistic. But I take the point that I should get a proper opinion.

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Original poster

Cookiecrumblepie · 23/04/2022 21:45

@Itsallaboutthebenjamins yes agree! I just don’t want to label him unnecessarily if it’s a common thing that kids grow out of.

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kitcat15 · 23/04/2022 21:49

Very hard to get an autism diagnosis of behaviours just occur at home…..nursery would be asked to complete behaviour checklists by the community paediatrician as part of the autism pathway

OfstedOffred · 23/04/2022 22:17

This. DS was a bit funny age 3. Didnt really talk to other kids/play with them much, a bit highly strung, had a total meltdown at a small home based birthday party with around 8 kids all of whom he knew.

Things sort of clicked for him on the social/emotional side age 4-5 and he's now very popular and social.

I think theres a huge range of where they are developmentally at 3. Some may be neuro diverse but plenty are just slightly late bloomers, especially boys imho.

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